~ Coalition of Cuban-American Women ~ Coalición de Mujeres Cubano-Americanas

CUBA: VIDEO/ TESTIMONIO/ VIUDA DE WILMAN VILLAR / TESTIMONY

2012-01-26T20:10:00.001-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=yG8Qdnns7Pc#!

VIDEO/ testimony in Spanish given by the widow of a Cuban human rights defender and a prisoner of conscience who died while on a hunger strike and under custody of the Cuban State. In this video, recorded by Jorge Cervantes, a member of the human rights group UMPACU ( Union Patriotica de Cuba) in the Eastern City of Contramaestre, Martiza Pelegrino states that Cuban authorities are directly responsible for the death of her husband, Wilman Villar Mendoza and that she will continue to come forward regarding the truth about her husband. The Cuban regime has launched a media campaign to discredit the image of Wilman Villar reporting that he was imprisoned for common crimes and that he was not a human rights activist nor that he was on a hunger strike.

Laida A. Carro

Human Rights Defender
Coalition of Cuban-American Women

Email: Joseito76@aol.com
Blog: www.coalitionofcubanamericanwomen.blogspot.com
Facebook Page: Coalition of Cuban-American Women
Twitter: @COCAW1

DAMA DE BLANO DETENIDA POR LA FUERZA EN OLA REPRESIVA TRAS HUELGA Y ASESINATO DE WILMAN VILLAR

2012-01-26T08:53:00.002-05:00

DAMA DE BLANCO, MAYELIN DE LA O MONTERO, EN CONTRAMAESTRE, CUBA, DETENIDA POR LA FUERZA. OLA REPRESIVA TRAS HUELGA Y ASESINATO DE WIILMAN VILLAR

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHG4xPthH4M

INTERAMERICAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS CONDEMNS DEATH OF WILMAN VILLAR IN CUBA (ENGLISH & SPANISH)

2012-01-24T11:53:00.003-05:00

(Vean la denuncia en español abajo)

Press Release 7/12: IACHR Condemns Death of Wilmar Villar in Cuba

CIDH CONDENA MUERTE DE WILMAR VILLAR EN CUBA

Washington, D.C., 23 de enero de 2012 – La Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos (CIDH) lamenta y condena la muerte del disidente cubano Wilmar Villar, quien murió tras una huelga de hambre. La CIDH expresa su pésame y solidaridad con sus familiares.

Según la información recibida, Wilmar Villar era miembro de la Unión Patriótica de Cuba, un grupo opositor en Cuba. El 24 de noviembre de 2010 fue condenado a prisión por un tribunal cubano que lo encontró culpable de “desacato, resistencia y atentado”. Se indicó que Wilmar Villar inició una huelga de hambre en protesta contra el juicio y el fallo, al que calificó como “injusto”.

El 26 de febrero de 2010, la CIDH lamentó y condenó la muerte del disidente cubano Orlando Zapata Tamayo, quien murió de inanición tras 85 días de huelga de hambre. Había sido detenido en marzo de 2003 y condenado a prisión en un juicio a puertas cerradas que duró menos de un día.

La Comisión vuelve a manifestar que las restricciones a los derechos políticos, a la libertad de expresión y de difusión del pensamiento, la falta de elecciones y la falta de independencia del poder judicial, configuran una situación permanente de trasgresión en Cuba de los derechos fundamentales de sus ciudadanas y ciudadanos. La Comisión insta una vez más al Estado a realizar las reformas necesarias conforme a sus obligaciones internacionales en materia de derechos humanos.

La CIDH es un órgano principal y autónomo de la Organización de los Estados Americanos (OEA), cuyo mandato surge de la Carta de la OEA y de la Convención Americana sobre Derechos Humanos. La Comisión está integrada por siete miembros independientes que se desempeñan en forma personal, que no representan a ningún país en particular y que son elegidos por la Asamblea General de la OEA.

Enlaces útiles:

Comunicado 22/10: CIDH condena muerte de Orlando Zapata en Cuba

Comunicados de Prensa de la CIDH

Sitio web de la CIDH

CIDH en Facebook

CIDH en Twitter

IACHR CONDEMNS DEATH OF WILMAR VILLAR IN CUBA

Washington, D.C., January 23, 2012 – The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) regrets and condemns the death of Cuban dissident Wilmar Villar, who died after a hunger strike. The IACHR expresses its condolences and solidarity with his next of kin.

According to information received, Wilmar Villar was a member of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (Unión Patriótica de Cuba), an opposition group in

Cuba

. On November 24, 2010, he was condemned to prison by a Cuban tribunal that found him guilty of “libel, resistance and assault.” It was informed that Wilmar Villar started a hunger strike in protest against the process and the sentence, which he called “unfair.”

On February 26, 2010, the IACHR regretted and condemned the death of Cuban dissident Orlando Zapata Tamayo, who died of starvation after 85 days on a hunger strike. He had been detained in March 2003 and sentenced to prison in a trial held behind closed doors, which lasted no longer than a day.

The Commission reiterates that restrictions to political rights and to freedom of expression and the dissemination of thought; the lack of elections; and the lack of independence of the judiciary create a permanent situation in

Cuba

in which the fundamental rights of its citizens are violated. The Commission once again urges the State to carry out the reforms that are necessary in accordance with its international human rights obligations.

A principal, autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), the IACHR derives its mandate from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has a mandate to promote respect for human rights in the region and acts as a consultative body to the OAS in this matter. The Commission is composed of seven independent members who are elected in an individual capacity by the OAS General Assembly and who do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

Useful Links

Press Release 22/11: IACHR Condemns Death of Orlando Zapata in Cuba

HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH: CUBA-MUERTE DE DISIDENTE PONE EN EVIDENCIA EL USO DE TACTICAS REPRESIVAS

2012-01-24T09:50:00.002-05:00

Cuba: Muerte de disidente pone en evidencia el uso de tácticas represivas [1]

Deben cesar las amenazas contra la familia Villar Mendoza

Enero 20, 2012

(Washington, DC) – La muerte del disidente de 31 años Wilman Villar Mendoza el 19 de enero de 2012, tras una huelga de hambre que se extendió durante 50 días, demuestra que en Cuba persiste la represión, señaló hoy Human Rights Watch. El gobierno cubano debería poner fin inmediatamente a las amenazas dirigidas contra su esposa, Maritza Pelegrino Cabrales, y contra la organización Damas de Blanco de la cual recibe apoyo, así como desistir de medidas que impidan que ella y otros disidentes asistan al funeral de Villar Mendoza.
Villar Mendoza fue detenido el 2 de noviembre de 2011, luego de participar en una manifestación pacífica en Contramaestre, Cuba, para reclamar mayor libertad política y respeto de los derechos humanos, según indicó su esposa a Human Rights Watch. Villar Mendoza integraba la Unión Patriótica de Cuba (UMPACU), un grupo disidente que el gobierno cubano considera ilegítimo debido a que sus miembros expresan opiniones críticas.

“El caso de Villar Mendoza demuestra que el gobierno cubano castiga el disenso”, afirmó José Miguel Vivanco, director para las Américas de Human Rights Watch. “Para silenciar a los críticos se recurre a tácticas como arrestos arbitrarios, procesos judiciales que no son más que una farsa, encarcelamiento en condiciones inhumanas y persecución de familiares de disidentes”.

Villar Mendoza fue acusado de desacato y condenado a cuatro años de prisión tras una audiencia que duró menos de una hora, señaló su esposa a Human Rights Watch. Si bien ella pudoasistir al juicio, a otros disidentes que intentaron ingresar a la sala se les negó el acceso. Villar Mendoza no tuvo oportunidad de hablar en su defensa ni contó con representación de un abogado defensor, aseveró la esposa.

Su esposa dijo, además, que Villar Mendoza había iniciado la huelga de hambre como protesta por las injustas condiciones en que se llevó a cabo el juicio y se dispuso su encarcelamiento.

La Comisión Cubana de Derechos Humanos y Reconciliación Nacional, una organización dedicada al monitoreo de los derechos humanos que no ha sido reconocida por el gobierno, calificó a Villar Mendoza como preso político en diciembre pasado.

Según manifestó su esposa, los guardias penitenciarios habrían sometido a Villar Mendoza a reclusión en condiciones de aislamiento luego de que iniciara la huelga de hambre el 25 de noviembre. Villar Mendoza contó a su mujer que lo habían desnudado y confinado a una celda de aislamiento minúscula y fría. La última vez que se le permitió visitar a su esposo fue el 29 de diciembre, señaló
.
La esposa también contó a Human Rights Watch que funcionarios gubernamentales la habían hostigado en varias oportunidades por su relación con las Damas de Blanco, una organización de derechos humanos integrada por esposas, madres e hijas de presos políticos. Indicó que miembros de las fuerzas de seguridad del Estado amenazaron expresamente con quitarle a las hijas que tuvo con Villar Mendoza, de 7 y 5 años, si continuaba trabajando con las Damas de Blanco.

Según manifestó su esposa, Villar Mendoza fue trasladado a un hospital en Santiago de Cuba pocos días antes de su muerte. La esposa indicó que las autoridades no le avisaron sobre su muerte y que se enteró de lo ocurrido a través de contactos fuera de Cuba, que leyeron la noticia en la prensa internacional. Afirmó que aún no se le ha permitido ver el cuerpo y que tampoco se le proporcionó información sobre los preparativos para el funeral.

El 23 de febrero de 2010, otro preso político cubano, Orlando Zapata Tamayo, murió luego de una huelga de hambre de 85 días que había iniciado en repudio a las condiciones inhumanas de detención a las cuales estaba siendo sometido y para exigir tratamiento médico.

URL de origen: http://www.hrw.org/es/news/2012/01/20/cuba-muerte-de-disidente-pone-en-evidencia-el-uso-de-t-cticas-represivas

CUBAN REGIME LAUNCHES A CAMPAIGN TO DISCREDIT THE MEMORY OF A DEAD HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER

2012-01-23T09:51:00.004-05:00

CUBA

International support is urgently needed for the widow and two children of Wilman Villar Mendoza who is being subjected to acts of repression

January 22, 2012

The wake and burial of human rights activist, Wilman Villar Mendoza was held under the strict control of the Cuban repressive forces on Friday, January 20, 2012, in the eastern city of Contramaestre. The 31 year old Cuban political prisoner demanded his freedom during a two month hunger strike and died as a result of a generalized sepsis in the Juan Bruno Zayas Hospital of Santiago de Cuba where he had been transferred with pneumonia. In the prison of Aguadores, Wilman was confined nude in a punishment cell where he was denied medical assistance and water. The last time his widow, Maritza Pelegrino, saw her husband alive was on December 29, 2011, when she saw him very thin and dehydrated.

The same day of Wilman’s burial, the Cuban regime publicly declared that he was a “common prisoner”; and that it has ample proof and testimonies showing that he was neither a dissident, nor that he were on a hunger strike. Maritza Pelegrino accuses the Cuban government of letting her husband die and has demanded to be interviewed on Cuban T.V. so that she is able to come forward publicly to defend the truth about her dead husband’s reputation. She vows to continue demanding justice for the people of Cuba as a Lady in White. It is important to highlight the fact that Wilman was brought up by his paternal grandmother and his mother, who is calling her son’s death a suicide, is married to a Cuban government official.

Jorge Cervantes, member of the human rights group, UMPACU, reported from Contramaestre that on January 20, the town was “totally militarized… there are more military personnel than citizens in the streets and more patrol cars than public transportation vehicles”. All with the objective of preventing members of human rights groups express their solidarity to the family of Wilman Villar. Jose Daniel Ferrer, leader of UMPACU denounced that around 80 activists were subjected to short term arrests since Thursday in the eastern cities of Palmarito de Cauto, Palma Soriano, Santiago de Cuba, Guantanamo, Caimanera, Holguin, Moa, Banes, Antillas, Puerto Padre, etc. Many were violently beaten and their houses were surrounded by paramilitary groups. Prudencio Villalon required stitches and lost a tooth as a result of the brutal beating he was subjected to, once inside a patrol car. Members of UMPACU, Juan Carlos Vazquez Osoria, Milagros Leiva Ramirez and Maritza Cardoza Romero (the last two also Ladies in White), are still under arrest. Also arrested: Hector Felix Labrada, Raumel Tinajera, Rudisan Ramirez.

Human rights defenders reported from Contramaestre that only 8 members of the Ladies in White and 6 activists were allowed inside the wake of Wilman Villar. Six activists waiting outside were arrested and only the family was allowed to go on to the cemetery for the burial.

In Havana, State Security prevented Ladies in White and activists from going to the headquarters of the Ladies in White, the home where Laura Pollan lived (Neptuno #963 entre Aramburen y Hospital) to sign a book of condolence dedicated to their deceased compatriot.

Ivonne Malleza Galano, her husband Ignacio Martinez and Isabel H. Alvarez Mosquera were all released on January 20, 2012, after being arbitrarily confined for almost two months and subjected to ill treatment in maximum security prisons. All three were violently arrested on November 30, 2011, following a peaceful protest in the Fraternidad Park in central Havana.

The ex-political prisoner of conscience, Librado Linares reported on January 19, 2012, that Yasmin Conyedo, the representative of the Ladies in White in Villa Clara, central Cuba, and her husband, Rafael Yusmani Esmoris were transferred to maximum security prisons. Yasmin Conyedo is presently confined at the “Women’s Prison in Guamajal” and her husband was transferred to the Prison of “La Pendiente”. The couple remains in jail since Sunday, January 8, 2012 when their house was attacked by a pro-government mob and when they were both severely beaten and arrested.

Additional reports of human rights violations for the week of January 16-22, 2012:

January 17, 2012 - On Tuesday, January 17, Lady in White, Tania Montoya reported that her husband, Raumel Tinajera, was still missing since Sunday, January 15, 2012, when he was brutally beaten and arrested in the eastern city of Holguin where they reside. The present status of Raumel is unknown. Further information will be disclosed about this activist’s situation.

Paramilitary mobs brought in two buses surrounded the Juan Bruno Zayas Hospital in Santiago de Cuba where Wilman Villar Mendoza was agonizing in the intensive care unit and, with great violence, arrested at least 14 activists.

Angel Moya, Jorge L. Artiles and Guillermo Fariñas were arrested in the central city of Santa Clara when they tried to carry out a peaceful march.

January 18, 2012 - The Ladies in White hold a Literary Tea on the 18^th day of every month in the house where Laura Pollan lived to discuss human rights issues. State Security agents were posted around the streets where the house is located in Havana and around 12 women who tried to leave their houses to attend the activity were harassed and arrested. The independent journalist, Roberto de Jesus Guerra reported the names of many Ladies in White unable to reach their destination: Sandra Guerra of Mayabeque was punched and kicked when she was forced down from a bus and taken to a police unit. Yaneris Perez, Ana Iris Cabrera de la Riva, Maria Teresa Castellano and Leticia Ramos Herreria of the municipalities of Colon and Cardenas in the province of Matanzas were arrested in their homes. Mercedes Fresneda, Lourdes Esquivel, Zulema lay, Lilia Castañer, Lazara Mitjans, Maria Cristina Labrada, and Sara Marta Fonseca, were all taken to different police units in Havana. Berta Soler, leader of the feminine movement, reported that the following women were also prevented from reaching their headquarters: Raquel Castillo, Petra Serafina Diaz, Julia Estrella Aramburu, Ana Rosa Ladea, Katia Sonia Martin, Aimee Cabrales, Mirta Gomez , Xiomara Cristina Duquerne, Maria Julia Villate, and Cristina Rodriguez.

In central and eastern Cuba the following women were subjected to short term detentions and mistreatment; Yris Tamara Perez Aguilera (Placetas), Isabel Peña, Caridad Caballero Batista.

Two activists that were arrested: Franklin Pelegrino del Toro (Municipio Cacocun), and the independent journalist, Héctor Julio Cedeño Negrín

January 19, 2012 – Tania Montoya reported that, with the purpose of intimidating them, Nelsa Fernandez Fonseca and Mercedes Fernandez Fonseca were summoned to appear before State Security headquarters in the eastern town of Palma Soriano.

January 20, 2012 – UMPACU activist, Osmani Cespedes Napoles reported that the political police in Palma Soriano arrested, without reports of their whereabout, the following women who were on their way to Wilman Villar’s funeral: Aimee Garces Leiva and Yelena Garces Napoles.

Human rights defender, Abel Lopez is beaten and detained for publicly protesting Wilman Villar’s death at the hands of Cuban authorities.

The activist, Yoan David Napoles is arrested arbitrarily in Santa Cruz del Sur and taken to a police unit when he was on his way to Camaguey to solve personal matters related to his handicap son’s special diet

Guillermo Fariñas was released.

January 22, 2012 – Ladies in White were harassed and detained to prevent them from attending Mass at the Basilica of El Cobre in Santiago de Cuba. Maria Cecilia Ramos Morejon, representative of the Ladies in White in the western city of Pinar del Rio was detained and taken to an undisclosed location. Osmelis Jimenez and Liudmila Cedeño of El Caney in Santiago de Cuba were subjected to short term detention. The homes of Caridad Caballero Batista, and Anislidia Cruz Segrero, were surrounded by the political police.

The independent journalist, Jose Ramon Pupo Nieves of Holguin Press, reported from the eastern city of Holguin that a Catholic Church in that city was surrounded by the political police whose agents were waiting outside for the activists to exit the temple in order to beat and arrest them. The priest, Father Aldama and the Bishop Javier Martinez Reyes, intervened on behalf of the human rights defenders who were spared by the agents.

The Coalition of Cuban-American Women alerts the international community that the lives of those members of Cuban civil society who are actively and publicly struggling on behalf of fundamental freedoms are in danger. We are particularly concerned in the cases of Maritza Pelegrino and her two daughters, of Yasmin Conyedo and her husband, Rafael Yusmani Esmori, International recognition of the peaceful resistance and solidarity for those human rights defenders is crucial. We make an urgent call on religious, civic, political, and cultural entities and its leaders, as well as to non-governmental human rights organizations worldwide.

Coalition of Cuban-American Women / Joseito76@aol.com / Laida A.Carro

FURTHER INFORMATION IN CUBA: Maritza Pelegrino Cabrales + 5353842338 / Berta Soler +5352906820 /

José Daniel Ferrer - + 53 53631267 / Jorge Cervantes - +53 53791610 / Tania Montoya + 5-3146329 /

____________________________________________________________________________

C Coalition of Cuban-American Women Blog: www.coalitionofcubanamericanwomen.blogspot.com

Facebook page: Coalition of Cuban-American Women

Twitter: @COCAW1

NOTA ACLARATORIA SOBRE EL FALLECIMIENTO DE WILMAN VILLAR MENDOZA

2012-01-22T16:49:00.001-05:00

Red Cubana de Comunicadores Comunitarios
(Información ofrecida por José Daniel Ferrer y Maritza Pelegrino Mendoza)

Wilman Villar Mendoza nació en Contramaestre, Santiago de Cuba, el 30 de marzo de 1980, cuando tenía 3 años de edad su madre se lo entregó a la abuela paterna para que lo criara. Estudió Operador en Equipo Textil, era cristiano, profesaba la fe Bautista, igual que su esposa. De ese matrimonio, que comenzó en unión consensual desde el año 2000 y después lo legalizaron en el 2004, nacieron dos hijas Geormaris de 7 años y Wilmari de 5.

El suceso doméstico que narra el periódico Granma en su nota informativa de hoy, ocurrió el 12 de julio de 2011 y Maritza Pelegrino Cabrales (1) –su esposa- niega rotundamente que él la haya agredido; por el contrario plantea que la participación policial fue muy represiva con Wilman y lo golpearon. De este suceso no se habló más nada hasta que en el mes de noviembre, el día 14, él participa en una marcha en Contramaestre, convocada por la Unión Patriótica de Cuba que dirige José Daniel Ferrer García.

Un oficial de la policía política de Contramaestre, nombrado Adolfo, le planteó que de no separarse de la oposición lo juzgarían y llevarían a prisión por los sucesos antes expuestos. Al contestar Wilman que él era un opositor, se le conduce a la prisión de Aguadores, el 24 de noviembre, después de un juicio amañado, en el que es sancionado a 4 años de privación de libertad por los supuestos delitos de Resistencia, Desacato y Atentado. Desde ese momento comenzó la huelga de hambre y no le permitieron a su esposa verlo.

El oficial Rodolfo -de la Seguridad del Estado de Palma Soriano- fue a ver el día 23 de diciembre a José Daniel Ferrer porque algunas Damas de Blanco estaban acompañando fuera de la prisión a la esposa de Wilman, junto con Jorge Cervantes, para poderlo ver, ya que él estaba en huelga de hambre y no le permitían visita. El oficial aspiraba a que José Daniel hablara con ellas para que esperaran al lunes 26 para darle una visita a la esposa. Sin embargo José Daniel fue firme y le dijo (vía telefónica) al jefe de Rodolfo, nombrado Elio, que la visita tenía que ser el día 23 y que tenían que entrar Maritza y Jorge Cervantes; porque la organización quería que Wilman se mantuviera vivo. Posteriormente, un oficial de la Seguridad del Estado le comunicó a Wilman, a nombre de Luis Enrique López, jefe de la Prisión, que dejara la huelga que iba a haber un indulto y que lo iban a soltar. Éste lo creyó y se mantuvo esperando hasta el día 29 que decidió reiniciar la huelga. No se supo de él hasta el 3 de enero de 2012 que hubo contacto con presos de Aguadores, los que explicaron que se encontraba mal en celda de castigo.

Su esposa estuvo días recorriendo diferentes establecimientos, Boniato, el Hospital “Provincial” Saturnino Lora, y en ningún lugar le daban razón de Wilman. Finalmente supo que el día 13 lo habían sacado de la prisión para el Hospital en muy mal estado. A ella solo se lo dejaron ver en una ocasión por los cristales y por un breve espacio de tiempo, todos los partes se lo daban a la madre biológica –casada con un oficial del Ministerio del Interior-. Hay que explicar que él fallece a las 6:45 pm y no se lo dicen a la esposa, la siguen engañando con la historia de que estaba grave.

José Daniel Ferrer se entera por una llamada de España que un bloguero oficialista había escrito en su blog que Wilman había muerto, y llama a Maritza que se encontraba afuera en el Hospital, para que volviera a preguntar, no es hasta pasadas las 8 de la noche que le informan del fallecimiento, solo el resto de los familiares lo sabían y a ella, su esposa, no se le había comunicado, por el delito de ser Dama de Blanco.

Pero la policía política ni se ruborizó, cuando le propuso a Maritza, estando ya en estado crítico y hospitalizado Wilman, que abandonara las Damas de Blanco que así pondrían en libertad a su esposo. Claro la respuesta de ella fue un rotundo no. Este oficial nombrado Adolfo la amenazó con que tenía que darle las niñas a otra persona porque no podría ver más las niñas.

El periódico Granma en su Nota informativa de hoy sábado 21 de enero de 2012, plantea que fue conducido al Hospital “Provincial” Saturnino Lora, al presentar síntomas de una neumonía severa del pulmón izquierdo. Cabría preguntarse ¿por qué lo dejaron agravar de esa forma?

Se explica también que hubo que aplicarle ventilación y nutrición artificial y muere por un fallo multiorgánico secundario a un proceso respiratorio séptico severo, que llevó al paciente a un shock por sepsia. ¿Cómo estaba en ese estado si no llevaba una prolongada huelga de hambre? ¿Le permitirían sus carceleros en su confinamiento en solitario tomar agua? Se puede recordar que a Orlando Zapata Tamayo lo tuvieron 18 días privado de ingerir este líquido.

¿Qué disidente podría hacer creer a Wilman que su vinculación con la oposición interna le permitiría evadir la acción de la justicia, cuando cientos de opositores son llevados a prisión y muchos otros detenidos arbitrariamente?

Cabría recordar que la Unión Patriótica de Cuba, por la vía de José Daniel Ferrer, denunció en múltiples ocasiones por la emisora Radio Martí, y a través de su cuenta en Twitter: jdanielferrer el hostigamiento a las Damas de Blanco de la provincia de Santiago de Cuba que iban a acompañar a Maritza a la prisión para que le permitieran ver a su esposo en huelga de hambre.

Una vez más el régimen cubano miente de forma vergonzosa.

Redactaron: Lucas Garve, Arnaldo Ramos Lauzurique y Martha Beatriz Roque Cabello, animadores de la Red Cubana de Comunicadores Comunitarios.

La Habana, 21 de enero de 2012.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kdFwlxPo_atgwJmaXmtRlib_PFpI0Y-2pS6NZoHn7DM/edit?pli=1#

DIARIO DE CUBA: VILLAR MENDOZA, SEPULTADO EN 'UNA ATMOSFERA DE INTIMIDACION POLICIAL'

2012-01-22T16:40:00.002-05:00

REPRESIÓN

La Habana califica de 'cínicas' e 'injerencistas' las condenas de EE UU y España.

El preso político Wilman Villar Mendoza, fallecido el jueves tras una huelga de hambre de casi dos meses, fue enterrado este viernes en el municipio de Contramaestre, Santiago de Cuba, en "una atmósfera de intimidación policial", dijo la Comisión Cubana de Derechos Humanos y Reconciliación Nacional (CCDHRN), reportó EFE.

El portavoz de la CCDHRN, Elizardo Sánchez, denunció que solo dejaron entrar en la funeraria a ocho integrantes las Damas de Blanco y a seis opositores, pero "a la hora de salir el cortejo fúnebre la policía les bloqueó y no les permitió ir al cementerio, al que solo pudo llegar la familia".

"Por añadidura, había 6 opositores fuera de la funeraria para sumarse al cortejo y fueron arrestados para impedirles que fueran al entierro, sin contar entre 50 y 70 detenciones preventivas" que se produjeron en las provincias de Santiago de Cuba, Guantánamo, Granma y Holguín, denunció Sánchez.

"El Gobierno ha manejado con una visión enteramente política todo el proceso de agonía, la muerte, el funeral y el entierro de Wilman Villar. Todo ha sido manipulado por la policía política sin duda alguna", sostuvo.

El viernes, desde Contramaestre, el disidente Jorge Cervantes declaró a DIARIO DE CUBA que la localidad estaba "totalmente militarizada".

La Policía y la Seguridad del Estado han realizado un "bochornoso y aparatoso despliegue en el vano intento de impedir la solidaridad de los opositores pacíficos", dijo Cervantes, miembro de la Unión Patriótica de Cuba (UNPACU).

Hay "más militares que transeúntes, más carros patrulleros que transporte público" en el pueblo, y "un ambiente de temor en la población ante esta situación inusual en Contramaestre", añadió el disidente.

En La Habana, las fuerzas del régimen impidieron también a los disidentes llegar a la sede de las Damas de Blanco, donde se abrió un libro de condolencias.

Wilman Villar, de 31 años, murió en la tarde del jueves en un hospital de Santiago de Cuba. Había iniciado su huelga de hambre el 24 de noviembre pasado en la prisión de Aguadores, tras ser condenado a cuatro años de cárcel por delitos de desacato y atentado a la autoridad.

Según fuentes de la disidencia interna, en represalia las autoridades carcelarias lo enviaron desnudo a una celda de castigo. Fue trasladado al hospital el 13 de enero ya grave por una severa neumonía.

Era miembro de la UNPACU, a la que se incorporó en septiembre de 2011, según explicó el líder de esa organización disidente, José Daniel Ferrer García, ex preso político del Grupo de los 75.

El Gobierno comenzó este viernes su campaña de descrédito contra Villar Mendoza. Al igual que hizo en el caso de Orlando Zapata Tamayo, fallecido en febrero de 2010 tras una huelga de hambre de 86 días, negó que se tratara de un disidente y lo calificó de "recluso común".

De acuerdo con la versión oficial, Wilman Villar murió en la tarde del jueves a causa de un "fallo multi-orgánico secundario a un proceso respiratorio séptico severo, que llevó al paciente a un shock por sepsis".

Maritza Pelegrino: 'No me puedo resignar, voy a seguir luchando'

Maritza Pelegrino, esposa del preso político fallecido, dijo que no se resignará y continuará la lucha del disidente contra las injusticias en Cuba y por el respeto a los derechos humanos.

"No me puedo resignar, voy a seguir luchando para que no se comentan esas injusticias contra otras personas que claman por la libertad y que claman por sus derechos", dijo Pelegrino a la emisora Radio Fórmula.

Comentó que no pudo asistir al entierro de su esposo porque no se sentía bien y le habían tenido que suministrar sedantes.

Pelegrino dijo que continuará la batalla "para defender a otros seres humanos" e insistió en que "el pueblo de Cuba debe seguir exigiendo justicia".

Destacó que las Damas de Blanco, colectivo del que forma parte, "van a seguir protestando para que se haga justicia y se cumplan los derechos humanos".

La viuda del disidente agradeció el apoyo que ha recibido a nivel internacional y de las organizaciones del interior de la Isla.

La Habana califica de 'cínicas' e 'injerencistas' las condenas de EE UU y España

El Gobierno calificó de "cínicas" e "inaceptables" las condenas expresadas por Estados Unidos y España por la muerte de Villar Mendoza.

La directora de América del Norte del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores (MINREX) cubano, Josefina Vidal, tachó de "injerencia" las declaraciones del Gobierno de Estados Unidos, que deploró el viernes la muerte "sin sentido" del preso político, al que calificó de "defensor de los derechos humanos".

"Las declaraciones del Departamento de Estado y la Casa Blanca constituyen una muestra más de la permanente política de agresión e injerencia en los asuntos internos de Cuba e impresionan por su hipocresía y doble rasero", señaló Vidal en una declaración.

La condena de Washington se ajusta más "al récord de violaciones de los derechos humanos de Estados Unidos en su propio territorio y en el mundo", añadió Vidal.

En cuanto a las manifestaciones del Gobierno español, el régimen las consideró "inaceptables".

El Gobierno de Madrid y la Unión Europea no tienen "la más mínima autoridad moral para enjuiciar" a Cuba, señaló un funcionario de la Cancillería, según la agencia estatal Prensa Latina, que no lo identificó.

De acuerdo con Prensa Latina, el funcionario calificó de "insólito" que el Gobierno de España emprenda esta campaña cuando tiene a "la mitad de sus jóvenes en paro y una alta tasa de asesinatos y violencia contra las mujeres".

El Ejecutivo de Mariano Rajoy dijo el viernes estar "consternado" por la muerte de Villar Mendoza y emplazó a las autoridades cubanas a liberar a todos los presos políticos.

La fuente citada por Prensa Latina dijo que España y a la UE deberían investigar y sancionar "las numerosas muertes en detención que ocurren en sus instituciones" o "los frecuentes actos de brutalidad policial contra manifestantes" en vez de dedicarse a "burdas tergiversaciones de la realidad".

http://www.diariodecuba.com/derechos-humanos/9204-villar-mendoza-sepultado-en-una-atmosfera-de-intimidacion-policial

HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH - CUBA: DISSIDENT'S DEATH HIGHLIGHTS REPRESSIVE TACTICS

2012-01-22T16:36:00.000-05:00

HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH - Cuba: Dissident's Death Highlights Repressive Tactics- Stophttp://www.hrw.org/news/2012/01/20/cuba-dissident-s-death-highlights-repressive-tactics

HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH - Cuba: Muerte de Disidente Pone en Evidencia el Uso de Tacticas Represivas http://www.hrw.org/es/news/2012/01/20/cuba-muerte-de-disidente-pone-en-evidencia-el-uso-de-t-cticas-represivas

THE NEW YORK TIMES: PRISON DEATH BRINGS OUTCRY AGAINST CUBA

2012-01-22T16:26:00.001-05:00

By DAMIEN CAVE

Published: January 20, 2012

REPRINTS

MEXICO CITY — Human rights advocates and American officials condemned the Cuban government on Friday for continuing to limit political freedom, reacting to the death of an imprisoned Cuban dissident who had carried out a hunger strike to protest his sentence.

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The dissident, Wilman Villar Mendoza, 31, died Thursday after 50 days without food, according to relatives. He was at least the second political prisoner known to die of a hunger strike since President Raúl Castro took over from his brother Fidel in 2006, highlighting what experts describe as the new Cuban model: cautious moves toward a more open economy, coupled with continued repression of dissent.

“Human rights conditions in Cuba remain poor,” said William Ostick, a State Department spokesman. “The Cuban government continues to limit fundamental freedoms, including freedoms of speech, including for members of the press, and of peaceful assembly.”

Cuba denies holding political prisoners and in a statement late Friday said that Mr. Villar “was not a dissident nor was he on a hunger strike,” saying he died of sepsis after being hospitalized.

Human rights advocates say there is no way to know how many government opponents remain in jail because independent investigators cannot visit. They acknowledge some progress. In 2010, Mr. Castro agreed to free 52 prisoners who had been arrested during a 2003 crackdown. The Cuban government also decided to release 2,900 inmates late last year, but human rights defenders on and off the island say dissidents were not released. The selective pardon itself led to protests, and after the pardons, another inmate — who advocates said was not a political prisoner — died of a hunger strike to protest his exclusion from the list.

Those on the island trying to lobby for greater freedom also say these releases have not affected patterns of state repression. For example, Mr. Villar Mendoza’s wife, Maritza Pelegrino Cabrales, told Human Rights Watch that government officials had harassed her repeatedly for associating with the Ladies in White, a group of wives, mothers and daughters of political prisoners who often endure threats and assaults when they protest publicly in Havana. Ms. Pelegrino said state security officers threatened to take away her daughters, 7 and 5.

“We’re all afraid,” said a neighbor who answered Ms. Pelegrino’s cellphone Friday because she had gone to her husband’s funeral. “Maritza doesn’t know what’s going to happen with her children. She’s worried.”

Mr. Villar Mendoza was detained Nov. 2 after participating in what his wife described as a peaceful demonstration for political freedom and human rights. She said prison guards placed him in solitary confinement after he started his hunger strike on Nov. 25. The last time she was allowed to visit him was on Dec. 29.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/21/world/americas/cuba-is-condemned-after-prisoners-death.html?_r=1

A version of this article appeared in print on January 21, 2012, on page A10 of the New York edition with the headline: Prison Death Brings Outcry Against Cuba.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL: CUBAN AUTHORITIES 'RESPONSIBLE' FOR ACTIVIST'S DEATH ON HUNGER STRIKE

2012-01-22T16:10:00.001-05:00

20 January 2012

Another Cuban prisoner of conscience, Orlando Zapata Tamayo, died while on hunger strike in custody in February 2010.

“

The responsibility for Wilman Villar Mendoza’s death in custody lies squarely with the Cuban authorities, who summarily judged and jailed him for exercising his right to freedom of expression.

”

Javier Zúñiga, Special Adviser at Amnesty International

The death in custody of a Cuban prisoner of conscience after a hunger strike is a shocking reminder of the Raúl Castro government's intolerance for dissent, Amnesty International said today.

Wilman Villar Mendoza, 31, died this morning in Juan Bruno Zayas Hospital in the city of Santiago where he was transferred from prison on 13 January due to health problems allegedly arising from a hunger strike protesting at his unfair trial and imprisonment.

He was serving a four-year prison term on charges related to his participation in a public demonstration against the government.

“The responsibility for Wilman Villar Mendoza’s death in custody lies squarely with the Cuban authorities, who summarily judged and jailed him for exercising his right to freedom of expression,” said Javier Zúñiga, Special Adviser at Amnesty International.

“His tragic death highlights the depths of despair faced by the other prisoners of conscience still languishing in Cuban jails, who must be released immediately and unconditionally.”

“The Cuban authorities must stop the harassment, persecution, and imprisonment of peaceful demonstrators as well as political and human rights activists.”

On 14 November 2011, police arrested Villar Mendoza and eight other members of the Cuban Patriotic Union dissident group in the eastern town of Contramaestre for taking part in a protest against the Cuban government.

While he was in detention, police intimidated Villar Mendoza, telling him he would be disappeared or face imprisonment on criminal charges stemming from an earlier arrest if he did not stop his protests and leave the dissident group.

He was released after three days in police custody but was then summoned to Contramaestre Municipal Tribunal on 24 November. Judges tried him in private and refused to accept testimony from his wife or other defence witnesses.

The judges sentenced the activist to four years' imprisonment and immediately transferred him to Aguadores prison, in the provincial capital Santiago. The same day, he began a hunger strike in protest at the ruling.

As Villar Mendoza’s health deteriorated over recent days, members of the Cuban Patriotic Union and the Ladies in White opposition group organised a vigil outside the hospital. On 18 January, state security officials broke up the gathering and detained more than a dozen people.

Wilman Villar Mendoza is not the first prisoner of conscience to die in Cuban custody.

Orlando Zapata Tamayo, a prisoner of conscience jailed after the “Black Spring” crackdown on opposition groups in March 2003, died in prison on 23 February 2010 after several weeks on hunger strike.

http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/cuban-authorities-responsible-activists-death-hunger-strike-2012-01-20

MIAMI HERALD: WORLD REACTS TO THE DEATH OF WILMAN VILLAR MENDOZA

2012-01-22T16:06:00.002-05:00

The United States and Europe called on Cuba to honor the human rights of its citizens after the death Thursday of dissident Wilman Villar Mendoza.

BY JUAN CARLOS CHAVEZ

JCCHAVEZ@ELNUEVOHERALD.COM

The death of political prisoner Wilman Villar Mendoza, who was on a hunger strike for more than 50 days, prompted a quick and extensive wave of national repudiation against Raúl Castro’s regime, as it gets ready to welcome the visit of Pope Benedict XVI in March.

Villar, 31, was buried in a private ceremony under a huge operation of security forces at a modest cemetery in his native Contramaestre. Throughout the country, law-enforcement officers were mobilized to prevent government opponents from paying him a final tribute.

This is the second political prisoner on a hunger strike to die in less than two years while in custody.

A few hours after Villar’s death, President Barack Obama expressed his condolences to the family and said his administration will not cease to support freedom for the Cuban people.

“Villar’s senseless death underscores the permanent repression of the Cuban people and the misfortune faced by courageous individuals who defend universal rights for all Cubans,” read a White House communication.

On a hunger strike since Nov. 25, Villar died about 6:45 p.m. Thursday after painful agony at Juan Bruno Zayas Hospital in Santiago de Cuba. He had contracted pneumonia after being confined to a punishment cell under freezing temperature.

In Madrid, vice president and spokesperson of the Spanish government, Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría, expressed the nation’s consternation over Villar’s death and called upon Cuban authorities to release all political prisoners.

“The defense of human rights and freedoms will be a constant in Spanish foreign policy, especially in the case of Cuba,” she said.

Because of its traditional links to Cuba, Spain plays a key role in the European Union’s position toward the Cuban regime.

Catherine Ashton, the European Union’s High Representative of Foreign Affairs and Common Security, deplored Villar’s death and urged Cuba to continue working to make progress on respect of human rights and freedom of expression.

“It’s the second death in similar conditions in a very short time and it poses doubts concerning Cuban’s judicial system and penitentiary,” Ashton said.

Villar was a member of the illegal Cuban Patriotic Union. He was arrested Nov. 14 during the police raid against dissidents in Contramaestre. Ten days later, he was sentenced to four years for assault, disobedience and resistance during a closed-door trial that lacked adequate guarantees. He was immediately sent to the dreaded Aguadores prison, near Santiago de Cuba. The following day, he began his hunger strike and refused to wear the uniform of common criminal prisoners, alleging that his trial had been abusive.

“Soon, Cuba’s real criminals will have to account for these crimes,” said U.S. Rep. Mario Díaz Balart, R-Miami. “Until then, President Obama must cease rewarding the regime’s human rights abuses with unilateral concessions in the form of eased sanctions that channel hard currency to Castro’s thugs. It is shameful that this administration has chosen to assist the Cuban people’s oppressors in the face of such relentless, unabashed brutality.”

Another Republican Miami Congressman, Rep. David Rivera, said: [Villar’s] pacifist opposition to a murderous dictatorship ultimately cost him his life, and he shall be remembered as a hero in the fight for a free and democratic Cuba. Mr. Villar’s blood is on their hands.”

http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/01/20/2600028/world-reacts-to-death-of-cuban.html

THE WHITE HOUSE ON THE DEATH OF CUBAN ACTIVIST WILMAN VILLAR

2012-01-22T15:54:00.001-05:00

For Immediate Release

January 20, 2012

Statement by the Press Secretary on the Death of Cuban Activist Wilmar Villar

President Obama’s thoughts and prayers are with the wife, family, and friends of Wilmar Villar, a young and courageous defender of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Cuba who launched a hunger strike to protest his incarceration and succumbed to pneumonia.

Villar’s senseless death highlights the ongoing repression of the Cuban people and the plight faced by brave individuals standing up for the universal rights of all Cubans. The United States will not waver in our support for the liberty of the Cuban people. We will remain steadfast in our outreach to the Cuban people through unlimited Cuban American family visits and remittances, purposeful travel, and humanitarian assistance to dissidents and their families in support of their legitimate desire to freely determine Cuba’s future.

THE WHITE HOUSE ON THE DEATH OF CUBAN ACTIVIST WILMAN VILLAR

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/01/20/statement-press-secretary-death-cuban-activist-wilmar-villar

REP. ILEANA ROS-LETHINEN MOURNS DEATH OF WILMAN VILLAR & CHALLENGES NATIONS TO CALL FOR END TO CUBAN TYRANNY

2012-01-22T15:45:00.000-05:00

COMMITTEE NEWS

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Ros-Lehtinen Mourns Death of Cuban Democracy Advocate Wilman Villar, Challenges Nations to Call for End to Cuban Tyranny

(WASHINGTON) – U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement after learning of the death of Cuban democracy advocate Wilman Villar:

“Wilman's death is yet another tragic reminder of the fundamentally evil and brutal nature of the Castro regime, which does not care at all about the well-being of the Cuban people or takes responsibility for its abysmal human rights record.

“How many more tragic deaths must occur until the international community wakes up from its comfortable slumber and demands an end of the Castro dictatorship and helps the Cuban people to usher in a new era of freedom, democracy and human rights for their homeland?

“As another Cuban patriot loses his life trying to bring attention to the desperate plight of the oppressed Cuban people, we are reminded that we must stand in solidarity with the pro-democracy activists who are yearning for liberty and justice.”

CUBA: Testimonio en esRadio de la mujer de Wilman Villar

2012-01-20T10:34:00.003-05:00

Aquí se oye el testimonio de la esposa del fallecido preso político, Wilman Villar Mendoza.

http://fonoteca.esradio.fm/2012-01-20/testimonio-en-esradio-de-la-mujer-de-wilman-villar-38912.html

CUBA: HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER DIES AFTER BEING SUBJECTED TO CRUEL AND DEGRADING TREATMENT WHILE ON HUNGER STRIKE IN PRISON

2012-01-20T07:38:00.000-05:00

Peaceful Resistance Movement urgently requests world solidarity for the memory of Wilman Villar Mendoza

January 20, 2012

Cuban human rights defender, Wilman Villar Mendoza, who had been admitted in critical state to the Juan Bruno Zayas Hospital in Santiago de Cuba on January 14 following a 50 day hunger strike (begun November 25, 2012), died on the evening of Thursday, January 18, 2012 of a multiple organ failure and a generalized sepsis.

Wilman Villar Mendoza, who was 31 years old and a member of the human rights group UMPACU (Union Patriotica de Cuba) began a hunger strike in the Prison of Aguadores on November 25, 2011 to protest the false accusations that led to his unjust incarceration and to demand his unconditional freedom. Wilmar was beaten and arrested following a public peaceful protest in the eastern town of Contramaestre on November 14, 2011, and sentenced in a trial he called a “judicial farce” to four years in prison. He was charged with “refusing to obey an official” (desacato), “resistance” (resistencia), and “assault” (atentado).

As most members of the peaceful resistance movement in the island, Jose Daniel Ferrer Garcia, leader of UMPACU, holds the Cuban government directly responsible for the demise of this peaceful human rights defender. Numerous activists across Cuba declared themselves in mourning and said this sad event unites them even more to continue defending the cause of human rights in Cuba.

The death of Wilman Villar Mendoza did not come about fortuitously nor is it an isolated case. The same terror tactics of mental and physical torture to subdue a political prisoner that have been systematically applied in Cuban prisons and which were applied to Orlando Zapata Tamayo, (who died on February 23, 2010 following a prolonged hunger strike) were also practiced on Wilman:

· Accused of being a common criminal

· Isolated in a humid punishment cell

· Confined naked

· Deprived of water and medical assistance

· Transferred to a medical facility once he is in a critical state of health

Wilmar’s widow, Maritza Pelegrino Cabrales, who is a “Lady in White”, is presently being denied access to her husband’s body and the Cuban government has unleashed a wave of repression throughout Cuba as members of the peaceful resistance movement are trying to pay their last respects to their compatriot. The Juan Bruno Zayas Hospital is surrounded by military guards. Liudmila Rodriguez Palomo reported that State Security agents in patrol cars, carrying sticks and stones, violently arrested activists in the Eastern city of Palma Soriano. The house of Jorge Luis Garcia Perez Antunez and his wife, Yris Tamara Perez Aguilera in the Central city of Placetas is surrounded by State Security agents.

For months, the Coalition of Cuban-American Women has been alerting the international community that the lives of those human rights defenders who are publicly struggling on behalf of fundamental freedoms in Cuba are in danger. We urgently call on religious, civic, political and cultural entities and its leaders, as well as the media and the non-governmental human rights organizations worldwide, to recognize and display their solidarity on behalf of these men and women who are sacrificing their lives for the cause of human rights in Cuba.

Coalition of Cuban-American Women / Joseito76@aol.com / Laida A.Carro

FURTHER INFORMATION IN CUBA: Berta Soler +5352906820 / José Daniel Ferrer - + 53 53631267 / Maritza Pelegrino Cabrales + 5353842338 / Iris T. Perez Aguilera +5352417749 / Jose Luis Garcia Perez “Antunez” +5352731656

Coalition blog: www.coalitionofcubanamericanwomen.blogspot.com

Facebook: Coalition of Cuban-American Women

Twitter: @COCAW1

CUBA: BRUTAL REPRESSION OPENS THE YEAR 2012

2012-01-16T13:22:00.002-05:00

CUBA

BRUTAL REPRESSION OPENS THE YEAR 2012

Political arrests increased threefold in 2011

The independent news agency Centro de Informacion Hablemos Press in Cuba documented 3,835 political arrests in its 2011 report on human rights violations in the island: http://www.cihpress.com/2012/01/informe-mensual-de-violaciones-de-los.html.

The Lady in White, Ivonne Malleza Galano, her husband, Ignacio Martinez Montejo, and a Cuban woman, Isabel Haydee Alvarez remain confined in maximum security prisons without formal charges. All three were violently arrested on November 30, 2011, following a peaceful protest in the Fraternidad Park in central Havana.

The Lady in White, Caridad Caballero Batista denounced from her hometown in Holguin in Eastern Cuba, that the pardons of more than 2,900 Cuban prisoners announced by Raul Castro are a “farce and a manipulation of the regime“, “Those who have been released are highly dangerous inmates, they are people who have murdered, raped; who are truly delinquent, and who will be used to repress the dissidents.” Caballero Batista received phone calls from countless prisons in Cuba from political prisoners who wanted to denounce their cases, many who have already served their unjust sentences. Of those 2,900 who were supposedly released, there are, at least, five political prisoners, according to Elizardo Sanchez Santa Cruz, of the Comisión Cubana de Derechos Humanos y Reconciliación Nacional (CCDHRN) in Havana.

Berta Soler, leader of the “Ladies in White Laura Pollan” denounced an increase in the regime’s violent methods of intimidation and harrassment against members of this peaceful femenine human rights movement throughout the island.

Below are some of the human rights violations reported from the island since January 1, 2012.

JANUARY 1, 2012 – In the city of Santa Clara (central Cuba), The Rosa Parks Movement alongside members of the Central Opposition Coalition were victims of the cruel and brutal aggression of the political police, as well as of members of the Rapid Response Brigade and the Communist Party when they tried to carry out a peaceful march “for the freedom of Cuba, against impunity, and in support and solidarity with Ivonne Malleza Galano.” The activists were taken away and arrested with brutal force from the home of Idania Yanes Contreras, president of the Central Opposition Coalition. Frank Reyes Lopez, who was filming the attack, fractured his right arm after he was thrown off from the roof by State Security agents. Maria del Carmen Martinez also suffered a fracture in one of her arms, while Aramilda Contreras was victim of serious injuries. Robert Alcides Rivera Yanez, the son of Yanez Contreras and a minor, was also beaten and shoved by police officials and suffered injuries and bruises all over his small body. Several neighbors intervened and managed to shelter the child from the police. The activists who were subjected to short term detentions and suffered physical as well as verbal attacks were: Ydania Llanes Contreras Damaris Moya, Maria del Carmen Martinez Lopez, Ana Iris Burune Rivera, Yanoisi Contreras Aguilar, Alcides Rivera Rodríguez, Frank Reyes López, Jorge Luis García Pérez ‘Antúnez’, Natividad Blanco Carrero, Aramilda Contreras Rodríguez and Yris Tamara Pérez Aguilera. While in their cells, the guards screamed obscenities at the women and threatened to rape them. According to Yanes Contreras, the guards were “raffling” off the women amongst themselves to see which one they would rape. Damaris Moya denounced that her 13 month old son was desperately screaming in the arms of his grandmother while agents were applying martial arts immobilization locks on her. She was dragged into a patrol car and taken to a detention center. Her husband Yanoisi’s face is swollen because of the beating and choking. Jorge Luis Garcia Perez Antunez was savagely and repeatedly punched by agents in the patrol car during the ride to the police station in Santa Clara while the agents forced him to cry out “Viva Fidel”. Antunez has numerous swellings on his head and is suffering from dizziness and loss of vision in his left eye. All the activists vowed to continue with their public peaceful marches in 2012, a year they consider important for the Cuban Resistance Movement.

JANUARY 4, 2012 – Act of repudiation in Camaguey against the home of activist Virgilio Mantilla Arango from 3 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. to prevent a group of activists from meeting in a public park in the city of Camaguey. Among the activists who were arrested were: Elizardo Reyes Jimenez, Jorge Luis Suarez Varona, Virgilio Mantilla Arango, and Alexis Sabatelo of the Unidad Camagueyana por los Derechos Humanos. They were all taken to the Center of Criminal Investigation and confined in cells. They were all interrogated and threatened not to continue with their public independent acts.

JANUARY 5, 2012 –In Havana, Independent journalist, Dania Virgen Garcia, Lady in White, Belkis Felicia Jorrin, and human rights defender Yosvani Martinez Lemus (beaten) were subjected to short term detentions. The home of Lady in White, Caridad Burunate, in the city of Colon, (Matanzas province) was victim of an act of repudiation.

JANUARY 6, 2012 – According to independent journalist, Luis Felipe Rojas, the Lady in White, Isabel Peña was attacked by a government thug in Guantanamo (eastern Cuba). In Havana, the political police surrounded the home of Lady in White, Anisley Pavon in the suburb of Marianao. Paramilitary forces of more than 100 agents attacked the home of Maritza Castro in the Havana district of El Cerro with stones, sticks, and bottles. Maritza Castro has been carrying out a hunger strike for almost a month, demanding the freedom of Ivonne Malleza, Ignacio Martinez, and Isabel H. Alvarez. Maritza is a neighbor of Ivonne Malleza and her husband Ignacio.

JANUARY 7, 2012 – Hot tar was thrown against the front of the home of Lady in White, Gertrudis Ojeda in Banes (eastern Cuba) because she displayed anti-government signs in her home. The tar’s pungent odor is affecting one of her sons who is seriously affected with asthma. According to the independent journalist, Roberto de Jesus Guerra, Ojeda was beaten and dragged by the paramilitary forces that invaded her home.

JANUARY 8, 2012 – The activist Prudencio Villalon Rades of the Union Patriotica de Cuba (UMPACU) denounced that Ladies in White, Annis Sarrion, Milagros Leiva, Maritza Cardosa, Osmeilis Jimenez, as well as her daughter Arianis Gainza Jimenez (12 years old) were all aggressively attacked by a member of the Communist Party and paramilitary forces in Municipio Mella, (eastern Cuba). Also, the Lady in White, Caridad Caballero Batista and her husband, Esteban Sade were arrested as they were entering the Church Pueblo Nuevo in Holguin (eastern Cuba). In Cacocun, Holguin, the Lady in White, Berta Guerrero and her husband, Franklin Pellegrino del Toro were arrested with violence to prevent their assistance to Mass.

The independent journalist, Jose Lino Asencio reported that In central Cuba, the house of Lady in White, Yasmin Conyedo Riveron, located at calle Trista 374 entre San Pedro y Virtudes, in the city of Santa Clara, was attacked by a pro government mob brought in a bus by State Securiy forces.

In Pedro Betancourt, a town in the province of Matanzas, the independent activist Oscar Sanchez Madan was violently arrested alongside Juan Francisco Sigler Amaya and other human rights defenders, members of the Independent Movement Alternative Option, who were on their way to the cemetery to honor the Lady in White, Gloria Amaya, an activist and mother of three ex political prisoners of conscience.

The Coalition of Cuban-American Women alerts the international community that the lives of those members of Cuban civil society who are actively and publicly struggling on behalf of fundamental freedoms are in danger. We are particularly concerned in the cases of Ivonne Mayeza, her husband Ignacio Martinez Montero and Isabel H. Alvarez. International recognition of the peaceful resistance and solidarity for those human rights defenders is crucial. We make an urgent call on religious, civic, political, and cultural entities and its leaders, as well as to non-governmental human rights organizations worldwide.

Coalition of Cuban-American Women / Joseito76@aol.com / Laida A.Carro

FURTHER INFORMATION IN CUBA: Berta Soler +5352906820 / Belkis Cantillo + 5353790867 / José Daniel Ferrer - + 53 53631267

CUBA: HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER DYING IN HOSPITAL AFTER ALMOST TWO MONTHS ON A HUNGER STRIKE

2012-01-16T10:49:00.000-05:00

CUBA

HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER DYING IN A HOSPITAL AFTER ALMOST TWO MONTHS ON A HUNGER STRIKE

More than 100 Ladies in White march throughout Cuba in spite of violent repressive acts

January 15, 2012

Wilmar Villar Mendoza, a 32 year old Cuban political prisoner of the Eastern city of Contramaestre was transferred on January 14, 2012, from the Prison of Aguadores to the Hospital Juan Bruno Zayas in Santiago de Cuba in critical condition after almost two months on hunger strike. Wilmar is unconscious and suffering from pneumonia. The doctors informed the family that there is nothing that can be done for him and that his death is imminent. The activist, a member of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UMPACU), was on a hunger strike demanding his freedom and protesting the false accusations that led to his unjust incarceration. Wilmar was beaten and arrested following a public peaceful protest in Contramaestre on November 14, 2011, and sentenced in a trial he called a “judicial farce” to four years in prison. He was charged with “refusing to obey an official” (desacato), “resistance” (resistencia), and “assault” (atentado).

Wilmar’s wife, Maritza Pelegrino Cabrales, as well as activists of several human rights groups had been demanding for several weeks, in front of the prison, that he be taken out of the harsh conditions he was subjected to and that he receive a medical attention he was being denied. She denounced that State Security tried to bargain her husband’s release when he was already on his deathbed, demanding that she stop being a member of the “Ladies in White”. When she refused, the agents threatened to take her children away from her. Maritza was misled to go to the Prison of Boniato where she was falsely informed that her husband had been transferred.

Yasmin Conyedo, the representative of the Ladies in White in Villa Clara, central Cuba, and her husband, Rafael Yusmani Esmoris continue under arrest in a police unit known as the UPOP since Sunday, January 8, 2012 when their house was attacked by a pro-government mob and when they were both severely beaten and arrested. As a result of their unjust detention, twenty seven arrests were documented in the central province of Villa Clara.

The Lady in White, Ivonne Malleza Galano, her husband, Ignacio Martinez Montejo, and a Cuban citizen, Isabel Haydee Alvarez remain confined in maximum security prisons in Havana without formal charges. All three were violently arrested on November 30, 2011, following a peaceful protest in the Fraternidad Park in central Havana.

Throughout the week of January 9 – 15, 2012, members of the peaceful Cuban internal resistance movement who publicly demanded fundamental freedoms in numerous provinces across the island where threatened, intimidated, subjected to threats, beatings, short term detentions, house arrests, and acts of repudiations that were instigated and carried out by the political police.

Below are some of the human rights violations reported from the island since January 9, 2012.

JANUARY 10, 2012 – Yris Tamara Perez Aguilera, president of the Cuban Rosa Parks Civil Rights Movement, was beaten and detained when she was on her way to the local hospital in Placetas (Central Cuba) to seek medical treatment. Yris has been beaten with such violence by State Security agents on so many ocassions in the last months that she is suffering from serious injuries throughout her body (see attached photo of Yris sent from Cuba).

JANUARY 11-12, 2012 – In the evening hours of January 11 in (Eastern Cuba), Municipio Luis Antonio Mella, Santiago de Cuba, the house of human rights defender Karina Santana (Lady in White) and her husband Ramón Bolaños was attacked for hours as it has been many times before by a mob throwing eggs.

In Eastern Cuba, Roberto González, Arnold Hernández and Raúl Frómeta, were arrested in Dos Caminos where they were going to carry out a public peaceful protest.

A group of activists in Villa Clara, Placetas, Cienfuegos, Sagua la Grande and Manicaragua (Central Cuba) were subjected to beatings and short term detentions when they went to march and protest on behalf of Yasmin Conyedo and her husband, Rafael Yusmani. After their released, many were left abandoned in remote areas, far from their homes: María del Carmen Martínez López, Alexei Sotolongo Díaz, Yanoisi Contrera Aguilar, Michel Oliva López, Yosmel Martínez Colcho, Víctor Castillo Ortega, Omar Núñez Espinosa, Zander Reyes Machado, José Lino Ascencio López, Rodoisy Zapata Blanco, Jesús Arístides Hernández Pérez, Jorge Luis Artiles Montier, and Guillermo Fariñas Hernández. In Placetas: Yris Tamara Pérez Aguilera, Yaimara Reyes Mesa, Xiomara Martín Jiménez, Yaite Diosnellys Cruz Sosa. In Cienfuegos: Pablo González Villa, Justo Luis Alonso García.

On January 12, Ignacio Martinez Montero, confined in the Combinado del Este Prison began a hunger strike demanding his freedom. In a recording obtained via telephone by the independent journalist, Roberto de Jesus Guerra in Havana, Martinez Montero states: “ either I’m released or I will be taken out of this prison dead.”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJ8oo0HCvJY

In Havana, a vigil that was to take place on behalf of Ivonne Malleza and her husband Ignacio Martinez caused the short term arrest of the following activists: Vidiet Martinez, Mercedes Evelyn Garcia, Ismael Alfaro, Leonardo Chalas and Odalis Sanabria. Odalis was taken to the outskirts of Havana and left abandoned far from her home.

JANUARY 13, 2012 – The house of Lady in White, Caridad Caballero Batista, was under watch by State Security to intimidate her and prevent her attendance to Sunday Mass in the Eastern city of Holguin.

In the Western province of Pinar del Rio, activists and members of the Ladies in White were subjected to house arrest when their houses were surrounded and their phone service was interrupted. Maria Cecilia Ramos, the representative of the Ladies in White in the western province of Pinar del Rio, was threatened by the political police on January 12 so she would not participate in the marches of the Ladies in White. She was summoned on the 13^th to appear at a Police Unit in Pinar del Rio and suffered an act of repudiation or mob attack to her home on Sunday, January 15, 2012.

JANUARY 14, 2012 – Idania Llanes Contreras, president of the Central Coalition Opposition reported from Central Cuba that State Security had surrounded the homes of numerous human rights defenders to prevent any public protests for the arrest of the Lady in White, Yasmin Conyedo, and her husband, Rafael Yusmani Esmoris. The ex-political prisoner of conscience, Librado Linares was held prisoner in his house in Camajuani and the same happened to the activists Enrique Martinez Marin and Orlando Alfonso Martinez in Manicaragua.

Also in Central Cuba, the activist Jose Lino Asencio Lopez declared himself on hunger strike, demanding the freedom of Yasmin Conyedo.

Ladies in White, Marta Diaz Rondon, Gertrudiz Ojeda Suarez and Miladis PInales Rosa were beaten and arrested when they were traveling from Banes to Holguin. Mariblanca Aviles Esposito was also subjected to acts of repression in the town of Velasco, province of Holguin.

Antonio Gonzalez, president of the Cuban Republican Party and affiliated to UMPACU in Eastern Cuba, reported the arrest of the following Ladies in White who were taken to the Police Unit called “Unidad de Enfrentamiento”: Aurora Martin Calderin, Niraida Martin Calderin and Matilde Mejias.

JANUARY 15, 2012 – Rapid Response Brigades, members of the political police, the communist party and communist youth surrounded the homes of activists and Ladies in White to prevent them from attending Mass in the Western province of Pinar del Rio. The home of the ex-political prisoner of conscience, Eduardo Diaz Fleites (located at Calle 20 #1303A at Entronque de Herradura) where he was with his niece and Lady in White, Marielis Diaz Torres, suffered an act of repudiation carried out by a mob of around 40-50 people from 8:00 a.m.-11:00a.m. to prevent them from going to the Church of Consolacion del Sur.

At around midday, at a checkpoint located between the cities of El Cobre and Santiago de Cuba, nineteen members of the Ladies in White who had just attended Mass at the Basilica of El Cobre in Santiago de Cuba, and who were on their way to give their support to the wife of Wilmar Villar Mendoza at the Juan Bruno Zayas Hospital, were violently beaten and arrested by male and female police agents. Those who were beaten the most were Tania Montoya Vazquez, Yakelin Garcia Jaen and Aricel Figueredo Valdes. Other women involved in the incident were: Yanelis Elegica Despaigne, Yamiseli Aliaga Callamo, Karina Quintana Hernandez, Madelaine Santo Grillo, Mayelin la O Montero, Darmis Aguedo Zaldivar,Yarisel Figueredo Valdes, Yanilla Montero Vazquez, Aliagna Isaac Leme,Arelis Rodriguez Chacon, Aurora Martin Calderin, Miraida Martin Calderin, Yudislaidis Travieso Barlobo, Yusmari Chacon Lamot, Elisa Milagro Reinier Acosta, and Maria Alfonso Cordoba. Aurora and Miraida were arrested twice on January 15, and still remain under arrest.

Human rights defenders in Eastern Cuba who were also beaten and arrested when they tried to show their solidarity on behalf of Wilmar Villar Mendoza in front of the hospital where he lies in critical condition were: Raumel Tinajera Altive, Rulisan Ramirez Rodriguez, Enyor Bismar Peña Perez, Yuselin Ferrera Espinosa, Antonio Gonzalez Bordonado, Ovidio Martin Castellanos, Carlos Martin Calderin, manuel Santiago Zaldivar Gonzalez, Andry Verdecia Osorio, Abraham Carrera Torres, Aurora Martin Calderin, Arelis Rodriguez Chacon, Luis Enrique Lozada Igarza, Enrique Lozada Ayedo, and Miraida Martin Calderin. Ana Celia Rodriguez Torres and her husband Henry Perales Elias.

In Contramaestre, Eastern Cuba, the home of human rights defender, Jorge Cervantes was attacked by a mob because he had a sign in the front that read: “Wilmar cannot die”.

The Lady in White, Caridad Caballero Batista and her husband, the activist, Esteban Sande Suarez, were arrested in the Eastern city of Holguin. Though Caridad was released, the whereabouts of her husband are still unknown.

Guillermo Fariñas was arrested in the central Cuban city of Villa Clara.

The Coalition of Cuban-American Women alerts the international community that the lives of those members of Cuban civil society who are actively and publicly struggling on behalf of fundamental freedoms are in danger. We are particularly concerned in the cases of Wilmar Villar Mendoza, Yasmin Conyedo, her husband, Rafael Yusmani Esmori, Ivonne Mayeza, her husband Ignacio Martinez Montero, and Isabel H. Alvarez. International recognition of the peaceful resistance and solidarity for those human rights defenders is crucial. We make an urgent call on religious, civic, political, and cultural entities and its leaders, as well as to non-governmental human rights organizations worldwide.

Coalition of Cuban-American Women / Joseito76@aol.com / Laida A.Carro

Facebook: Coalition of Cuban-American Women

Twitter: @COCAW1

FURTHER INFORMATION IN CUBA: Berta Soler +5352906820 / José Daniel Ferrer - + 53 53631267 /

/ Jorge Cervantes - +53 53791610 / Tania Montoya + 5-3146329 / Caridad Caballero Batista + 5-2629749 /

Idania Yanes Contreras + 5-2510980

Videos de las Damas de Blanco

2012-01-12T22:31:00.001-05:00

Basílica Santuario Nacional de Nuestra Señora de la Caridad del Cobre DAMAS DE BLANCO - EL COBRE ( primera parte ) - Domingo, enero 8, 2012 (3:58 min)http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=wpOzJxOsCHk DAMAS DE BLANCO - EL COBRE ( conclusion ) - Domingo, enero 8, 2012 (3:16 min)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZDOWD1Xg18&NR=1&feature=endscreen

CUBA: VIDEO/ Represion brutal en Perico Matanzas/ 12-11-2012

2012-01-03T11:48:00.000-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=WDO9H74rKHI

CUBA: VIDEO/ Acts of torture against peaceful activists 12-2-2011

2011-12-21T21:10:00.002-05:00

Testimony of HENRY PERALES ELIAS (27 years old), member of the pro-democracy group UMPACU, (Union Patriotica de Cuba) who was one of about 50 human rights activists who were brutally beaten and arrested on December 2, and imprisoned for several days in inhumane conditions.

The peaceful activists were going to continue the National March for Freedom Zapata Boitel Vive! when paramilitary groups surrounded the home of Liudmila Rodriguez Palomo located at: Calle Crombet #204, entre avenida Libertad y Remus in the Eastern city Palma Soriano in the province of Santiago de Cuba, where they were gathered. As each activist came out marching with their hands behind their backs they were brutally beaten, many needing sutures, such as was the case of Henry Perales.

Recorded in Cuba by the independent journalist Roberto de Jesus Guerra:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_seTeq2PFnI&feature=player_embedded#!
(8:53 min.)

Laida A. Carro
Coalition of Cuban-American Women
+ 305-662-5947

CUBA: AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL / AMNISTIA INTERNATIONAL

2011-12-21T21:01:00.000-05:00

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL / AMNISTIA INTERNACIONAL

CUBA: ACCION URGENTE: Activistas Recluidos sin Cargos
http://www.amnesty.org/es/library/asset/AMR25/007/2011/en/c2020d5b-b303-41c8-86ca-c61a6838be5a/amr250072011es.pdf

CUBA: URGENT ACTION: Activists Held Without Charge
http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/AMR25/007/2011/en/9eae79bf-0186-4078-88cb-f55028a36064/amr250072011en.pdf

2011-12-21T20:40:00.001-05:00

Lady in White Caridad Caballero Batista Narrates her Arrest After Human Rights Day

Posted by Pedazos de la Isla on December 15, 2011

Countless testimonies inundated independent Cuban news outlets during Human Rights Day, celebrated internationally on December 10th, as well as during the following days. There were vigilance operations, brutal beatings, arbitrary arrests, deportations, and other forms of violence against those who publicly demonstrated on the streets of the island in defense of human rights and against the tyranny from one point to another. In Havana, some of the brutal events consisted of a strong police operation against the Ladies in White who were congregated in the house of their recently fallen leader Laura Pollan. Caridad Caballero Batista, a member of the Ladies in White hailing from Cuba’s East, narrated the details of the violent repression the women faced, from her perspective.

Batista explained that the women were confined to the house on Neptuno Street for three days “without being able to step out because there were two large mob repudiation acts which lasted for hours“. According to the dissident, on Friday December 9th was when the first mob attack occurred at around 4:30 pm and lasted until 8:30 that night. This first display of government-orchestrated repudiation consisted of a mob made up by soldiers and State Security officials. Another act of hate and intolerance took place the following day (Dec. 10th, Human Rights Day) during the morning hours and lasting until 8:30 pm once again.

“During this whole time“, recounts the activist, “Neptuno Street was closed down and the officials were even asking neighbors for ID cards when they would step out of their homes“. Caridad adds that as yet another form of humiliation and aggression, the flow of water was cut for Laura Pollan’s house, the headquarters of the Ladies in White. “They cut the water from the 9th until the 10th, we spent an entire day without showering“.

It wasn’t until that Sunday that the women were able to make it out of the house and onto the street, marching down to Santa Rita Church located on Havana’s 5th Avenue. Upon arriving to the church, other Ladies joined the group and they all assisted mass together. After mass, the Ladies in White carried out another march in which they shouted slogans demanding freedom for all political prisoners and also prayed.

The Cuban Resistance activists decided to take their peaceful demonstration to the nearby park when a bus rapidly arrived, full of State Security officials who, along with numerous police officers, completely closed off 3rd Avenue. “Right then and there, the mobs attacked us“, explained Caridad Caballero.

“As a form of Resistance, we all sat on the street and they surrounded us. We screamed ‘freedom for all political prisoners’ and ‘long live human rights’. After a while of hurling insults at us, they started to physically attack us and drag us, shoving us all in a bus they had waiting for us. They were the same buses used to transport the military mobs for the repudiation act against us. It was very violent“.

Caballero Batista, who was just recently awarded the Carlos Manuel de Cespedes award by the Eastern Democratic Alliance, added that she and the other women suffered “punches, the pulling of hair, and scratches“.

After this initial physical aggression, Caridad was taken to a Unit known as Micro 5. “This unit was completely unknown to me“, she explains, “I was able to find out that it was previously used as a prison and was now a military zone“.

The tireless dissident added that “for each Lady in White from Havana the officials used a police vehicle with 4 policemen in order to simply take one out at a time, taking them to different detention centers. We Eastern citizens were the last to be taken out of the Unit at around 4:30 pm. On the bus back there were 3 of us from Matanzas, 1 from Camaguey, and 6 from Holguin“. During this time, a police guard sat between each woman, keeping them separate and under strict vigilance. Batista was deported back to her native town of Holguin.

“In our case, those of us from Holguin were simply left out in an unknown neighborhood, much before the bus terminal we needed to reach in order to board another bus to arrive closer to our homes. The women from Banes and Moa had had to board even more buses to get to their houses, and when they arrived, it was very late”.

Batista, who has not been able to accept her Carlos Cespedes Award because she was in the middle of a violent arrest, pointed out that “despite all of this, we are fine, and we feel strengthened and stronger than ever. None of these manipulations and techniques will make us step back on our path and desire to struggle for the freedom of our country and for fighting for the liberation of all political prisoners and so that human rights be respected“.

The pro-democracy activist also added that she felt it was interesting to point out that, “the Castro regime constantly broadcasts images of protesters in the United States who are victims of physical aggressions at the hands of police officers. But usually such actions only consist of one or two policemen, but here in Cuba they use 20 men to repress one woman or any other dissident. Those are the images which should be displayed on television, proving how they publicly harass us“.

DENUNCIA DE LA ORGANIZACION MUNDIAL CONTRA LA TORTURA SOBRE IVONNE MALLEZA GALANO Y SU ESPOSO, IGNACIO MARTINEZ

2011-12-21T16:22:00.000-05:00

Caso CUB 191211
El Secretariado Internacional de la Organización Mundial Contra la Tortura (OMCT) solicita su intervención
MUY URGENTE ante la siguiente situación en Cuba. Descripción de la situación :

El Secretariado Internacional de la OMCT ha recibido con grave preocupación informaciones de fuentes fidedignas entre ellas de Antenna Internacional, organización miembro de la Red SOS-Tortura de la OMCT, sobre las detenciones violentas y arbitrarias de la Sra.
De acuerdo con las informaciones recibidas, el 30 de noviembre de 2011, la Sra. Ivonne Malleza Galano, miembro de las Damas de Blanco1[1], y su esposo el Sr. Ignacio Martínez, fueron detenidos de manera violenta por agentes de la policía mientras participaban en una protesta callejera en el Parque La Fraternidad de la Cuidad de la Habana con una manta que tenía inscrita las frases: "Cese el hambre, la miseria y la pobreza en Cuba".
Ivonne Malleza Galano y de su esposo, el Sr. Ignacio Martínez, ambos activistas de derechos humanos, en hechos ocurridos en La Habana. 1
Según las mismas denuncias, ambos fueron llevados a la estación de policía de Zanja en La Habana. De allí, el Sr. Ignacio Martínez fue trasladado a la Unidad de Acosta. La Sra. Ivonne Malleza Galano fue trasladada a un lugar desconocido y detenida durante diez días en régimen de incomunicación. Ambos están actualmente detenidos en el Centro Alternativo de Procesamiento de Detenidos, en La Habana. El personal de la prisión informó a los familiares, que pudieron visitar a la Sra. Ivonne Malleza Galano y al Sr. Ignacio Martínez el 12 de diciembre de 2011, que están acusados de desorden público, y que la investigación podría demorarse hasta 60 días. Pero, según las mismas denuncias, aún no se les han imputado cargos formalmente.

De acuerdo con las informaciones recibidas, la Sra. Ivonne Malleza Galano y el Sr. Ignacio Martínez, están realizando una huelga de hambre desde el 30 de noviembre de 2011, día de su detención.

La OMCT manifiesta su preocupación frente a la detención arbitraria de la Sra. Ivonne Malleza Galano y del Sr. Ignacio Martínez por haber participado en una manifestación, haciendo uso de su derecho a la libertad de expresión y de manifestación. La OMCT condena también el uso de la detención en régimen de incomunicación que fue aplicado a la Sra. Ivonne Malleza Galano.

La OMCT manifiesta también su seria preocupación por el estado de salud de la Sra. Ivonne Malleza Galano y del Sr. Ignacio Martínez. La OMCT recuerda que el gobierno de Cuba está comprometido legalmente a asegurar con eficacia la integridad física y psicológica de todas las personas privadas de libertad, de acuerdo con los tratados internacionales y regionales de derechos humanos.

Acción solicitada Favor escribir a las autoridades cubanas urgiéndolas a:
i. tomar de manera inmediata las medidas más apropiadas para garantizar la seguridad y la integridad física y psicológica de la Sra. Ivonne Malleza Galano y del Sr. Ignacio Martínez, así como de sus respectivas familias;
ii. garantizar el acceso incondicional de cada uno de ellos a sus abogados y sus familias, así como garantizar que ambos sean examinados por médicos independientes y que ambos reciban una asistencia médica adecuada;
iii. ordenar la liberación inmediata de la Sra. Ivonne Malleza Galano y del Sr. Ignacio Martínez, en caso de encontrarse detenidos en ausencia de cargos legales válidos o, en caso de que estos cargos existan, llevarlos ante un tribunal independiente, competente, justo e imparcial y garantizarles sus derechos procesales en todo momento;
iv. llevar a cabo una investigación inmediata, independiente, exhaustiva, efectiva e imparcial en torno a todos los hechos arriba denunciados, en particular acerca de las circunstancias de la detención de la Sra. Ivonne Malleza Galano y del Sr. Ignacio Martínez, y que el resultado de la investigación se haga público con el fin de que los responsables sean llevados ante un tribunal competente, independiente, justo e imparcial, y les sean aplicadas las sanciones penales, civiles y/o administrativas previstas por la ley;
v. otorgar a la Sra. Ivonne Malleza Galano y al Sr. Ignacio Martínez una debida reparación que incluya una adecuada rehabilitación y una indemnización;
vi. de manera general, conformar sus acciones a lo dispuesto por los Pactos y Convenciones internacionales y regionales de Derechos Humanos. Direcciones Sr. Raúl Castro Ruz, Primer Presidente de los Consejos de Estado y de Ministros de Cuba, General de Ejército, y Presidente interino de los Consejos de Estados y de Ministro, , La Habana, Cuba, Fax: + 53 7 8333085 (a través del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores), Correo-E: f_castro@cuba.gov.cu

Misión Permanente de la República de Cuba ante la Oficina de las Naciones Unidas en Ginebra, 100 chemin de Valérie, 1292 Chambésy, Fax: + 41.22.758.94.31 Correo-E: embacubaginebra@missioncuba.ch

Misión Diplomática de la República de Cuba en Bruselas, 77 rue Roberts Jones, 1180 Uccle, Bélgica, Fax : + 32 2.344.96.61, Correo-E: mision@embacuba.be

Dr. Juan Escalona Reguera, Fiscal General de la República, Fiscalía General de la República, San Rafael 3, La Habana, Cuba, Fax: + 53 7 669 485 / 333 164

Señor Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores, Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, Calzada No. 360 Vedado, La Habana, Cuba, Fax:+ 53 7 8333 085, Correo-E: cubaminrex@minrex.gov.cu

Favor escribir también a las Representaciones Diplomáticas de Cuba en sus respectivos países.
Ginebra, 19 de diciembre de 2011
Favor informarnos sobre cualquier acción emprendida, citando el código de este llamado en su respuesta.
General Abelardo Colomé Ibarra, Ministro del Interior y Prisiones, Ministerio del Interior, Plaza de la Revolución, La Habana, Cuba, Fax: + 53 7 8301 566

[1] Las Damas de Blanco surgieron espontáneamente en abril del año 2003, cuando un grupo de mujeres sufrieron la encarcelación de sus familiares durante el período conocido como la Primavera Negra de 2003. Cada domingo, las Damas de Blanco hacen un recorrido por las calles de los alrededores de la iglesia de Santa Rita en el barrio habanero de Miramar en absoluto silencio, portando fotos de sus familiares con el número de años que fueron condenados a prisión, exigiendo la libertad de sus familiares.

Detención arbitraria/ Temor por la seguridad

IVONNE MALLEZA & IGNACIO MARTINEZ, CUBAN HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS, RESUME THEIR HUNGER STRIKES IN PROTEST OF THEIR CONTINUED DETENTION

2011-12-21T09:58:00.000-05:00

America / Cuba / Latin America

Sunday 18 December 2011 by Front Line

Update – Human rights defenders Ms Ivonne Malleza Galano and Mr Ignacio Martínez Montejo resume hunger strike

15 Decembre 2011
On 12 December 2011, human rights defenders, and husband and wife, Ms Ivonne Malleza Galano and Mr Ignacio Martínez Montejo resumed their hunger strikes in protest at their continued detention.
Ivonne Malleza Galano and Ignacio Martínez Montejo were violently arrested on 30 November 2011 for taking part in a peaceful protest in Fraternity Park in Havana.
On 10 December 2011, Ivonne Malleza Galano, who had initially been held incommunicado, managed to place a call to Ms Mayra Morejón, member of Damas de Blanco, and informed her that she was being held at the VIVAC Processing Centre on Calabazar Street, in Havana, where her husband is also being held.
On the morning of 12 December 2011, several family members of Ivonne Malleza Galano and Ignacio Martínez Montejo were allowed to visit the human rights defenders in the presence of an unnamed security agent who told them that the defenders had been charged with public disorder and that the investigation could take up to 60 days. Ivonne Malleza Galano and Ignacio Martínez Montejo informed their relatives that they had been on hunger strike from the time of their detention on 30 November until 10 December. In the presence of the official who supervised the brief visit, they declared their intention to resume the hunger strike on 12 December 2011. Front Line expresses its concern for the physical integrity of both human rights defenders, who are both reported to suffer from serious health problems.
According to the Comisión Cubana de Derechos Humanos y Reconciliación Nacional (Cuban Commission on Human Rights and National Reconciliation) more than 300 persons were arbitrarily detained since 5 December 2011 in order to prevent them from participating in events to mark Human Rights Day on 10 December. Whilst welcoming the release, on 12 December 2011, of human rights defender and former political prisoner of conscience Mr José Daniel Ferrer García, Front Line reiterates its calls on the Cuban authorities to release all those human rights defenders and activists who remain in detention, including Ivonne Malleza Galano, Ignacio Martínez Montejo, and former political prisoner of conscience Mr Ángel Moya Acosta.

For further information on this case, please refer to the previous appeal dated 8 December 2011.

Go to original article

CUBA: PRO-DEMOCRACY LEADERS WARN OF A POSSIBLE WAVE OF REPRESSION AGAINST THE PEACEFUL RESISTANCE

2011-12-19T08:01:00.003-05:00

December 18, 2011

Two leaders in the peaceful Cuban resistance movement who were released on the week of December 12-18 after being subjected to violent arrests and inhumane prison conditions declared that the Cuban regime is intimidated by the rise and strength of the human rights groups in the island. Jose Daniel Ferrer García (released Dec.12), leader of the umbrella group UMPACU, (Cuban Patriotic Union) in Eastern Cuba, and Angel Moya Acosta (released Dec. 14) who resides in Havana and is the main coordinator of the National March for Freedom, Boitel Zapata Viven! were both beaten and arrested on December 2, 2011 in the eastern town of Palma Soriano as they were setting out to march peacefully with 50 activists:

Video sent from Cuba of repression December 2, 2011: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJlHSB--BpY

Both Ferrer García and Moya Acosta are ex-prisoners of conscience of the 2003 Cuban Black Spring who refused conditional freedom and exile to Spain and remained in Cuba after their release from prison in February (Moya Acosta) and April (Ferrer Garcia) of 2011.

Ferrer Garcia says that the peaceful Cuban resistance is presently more organized and has gained visibility among the Cuban people, thus becoming a threat to a regime that is carefully planning ways to stop the activists in spite of the political cost. Moya Acosta stated that the political police is acting incoherently in the face of their peaceful actions and he doesn’t dismiss the possiblity of another wave of repression similar to the one in 2003.

Ferrer García vowed that, though they don’t have a date yet, the third attempt of the National March for Freedom, Boitel Zapata Viven! will go forward. He added that as long as there is no freedom, democracy or respect for human rights in Cuba, the peaceful resistance will continue to activate the march as many times as needed.

The National March for Freedom, Boitel Zapata Viven! originally kicked off from the historical Eastern city of Baracoa on September 12, 2011, where activists faced the same brutal repression. The march recalls the time when Cuba’s struggle for Independence in 1895 was spread from East to West by the patriots Antonio Maceo and Maximo Gomez. The intention of this march today is to unite the peaceful resistance and its three objectives are that:

1. The Cuban regime respect, promote and publish the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as well as ratify the international agreements that promote these rights.

2. The repression against the opposition and the Cuban people stop.

3. All Cuban political prisoners are released unconditionally and that the legal framework that propitiates these imprisonments be revoked.

An important premise of this march is that the activists will never accept that their homes become “prisons”. When paramilitary officials surround these homes to prevent the activists from leaving and forcing them to be under house arrest, the activists will come out of their homes and continue carrying out their peaceful actions as planned.

On Sunday, December 18, in spite of the regime’s deployment of agents, a total of almost one hundred Ladies in White atended Mass and marched throughout Cuba in the cities of Holguin, Santiago de Cuba, Matanzas and Havana.

The Coalition of Cuban-American Women alerts the international community that the lives of those members of Cuban civil society who are actively and publicly struggling on behalf of fundamental freedoms are in danger. We make an urgent call on religious, civic, political, and cultural entities and its leaders, as well as to non-governmental human rights organizations worldwide.

Coalition of Cuban-American Women / Joseito76@aol.com / Laida A.Carro
Blog: http://www.coalitionofcubanamericanwomen.blogspot.com/
Facebook page: Coalition of Cuban-American Women
Twitter: Coalition of C-A Women (@COCAW1)

FURTHER INFORMATION IN CUBA:
Angel Moya +5353820595 /
Berta Soler +5352906820
José Daniel Ferrer Garcia +5353631267
Belkis Cantillo + 5353790867

2011-12-12T07:43:00.001-05:00

CONMEMORATIVE ACTS ON BEHALF OF HUMAN RIGHTS DAY ARE VIOLENTLY REPRESSED BY THE CUBAN REGIME

At least 300 arrests recorded for the current month of December

particular concern for the cases of Jose Daniel Ferrer Garcia, Angel Moya, Ivonne Mayeza and Ignacio Martinez Montero

December 11, 2011

As peaceful human rights defenders in Cuba carried out marches, vigils, workshops and gatherings on the days prior and during Human Rights Day (December 10), the Cuban regime violated their rights of freedom of assembly, association, expression and of movement with threats, beatings, violent short term arrests, arbitrary imprisonments in undisclosed locations, interrogatories, mob attacks and acts of repudiation, as well as house arrests. These activists were also kidnapped by authorities and left abandoned in remote areas, miles away from their homes.

Among the human rights defenders who were subjected to inhumane and cruel treatment and short term detentions throughout Cuba during the week of December 5-12 are:

PINAR DEL RIO – Luis Enrique Monterrey Ramos, Yoangel Palacios Hernández, Víctor Rodríguez Morejón, Yazle Reinoso Ramos.

HAVANA – Yaimi Alfonso Miret, wife of Eriberto Liranza Romero, representative of the National Civic Resistance Front Orlando Zapata Tamayo in the western region of Cuba was violently arrested in front of his two children, Abraham Liranza Alfonso, 9 years old, and Lauri Liranza Alfonso, 6 years old. His whereabouts are presently unknown

Since Monday, December 5, a wave of repression began against members of the movement Ladies in White Laura Pollan to prevent them from gathering at their headquarters in Neptuno Street #963 in Havana on Human Rights Day. Many of the women were held under house arrest as their homes were surrounded by paramilary groups in their hometowns. Others were violently arrested and taken to police units, while others were blocked from going any further when they reached Neptuno Street. Those who were held under house arrest in their hometowns were: Daima Lamas, Nilda Leiva González, Sonia Martín, Aimé Cabrales, Linda Taguolla, Carina Quintana, Yurenis González, Oria Josefa Casanova, Tania Bandera, Mayelin de la O, Yarisbel Figueredo y Belkis Cantillo Ramírez. The following women were blocked from going on to Neptuno Street: Tania Maceda, Mari Blanca Ávila Esposito, Yadira Rodríguez, Liliam Estévez Romero, Niurkis Rivero, Blanca Hernández, Mirta Gómez, Leonor Reinot, Belkis Núñez y Magalys Norbis Otero. Members of the Ladies in White who were taken to State Security and Police Units were: Marlenis Guerra Martínez, Bárbara Teresa Romero Mendoza, Katiuska Rodríguez Rives, Yusladis Jorge la Guardia, Mildret Noemí Sánchez Infante, Anni Sarrión Romero, Adis Nidia Cruz, Yanelis Elegica Despaigne, Liudmila Rodríguez Palomo, Yaquelán García Jans, Lázara Mijan, Niurks Luke, Florencia Machado, Ana Luisa Rubio, Lourdes Esquivel Vieyto, Sulema Lay, Violeta Rojas Aullan, Sandra Guerra, Ana Rosa Ledea, Reida Villate, Mercedes Fresneda, Yaquelin Boris, Yanelis Cabrera, Laura Capote, Lidia Castañeda, Dania Virgen García, Tatiana López. Most of these women have been released.
On December 10th, twenty eight members of the Ladies in White Laura Pollan, who were gathered to remember Human Rights Day in their headquarters at Neptuno Street were subjected to hours of an “act of repudiation” led by a pro-government mob of 300 people whot kept calling them “witches” and “mercenaries”. On Sunday, December 11th, after 57 ladies attended Mass at the Church of Santa Rita, the women were intercepted on 5th Avenue as they were marching peacefully with gladioli in their hands. A screaming pro government crowd insulted and physically mistreated the ladies who were dragged and forced onto buses. As some were taken to undisclosed locations, those from other provinces were returned to their hometowns. Berta Soler, leader of the group was taken in a patrol car alone, back to her home in Alamar. Rosario Morales and Sara Martha Fonseca were taken to police units.
On December 9, ex political prisoner of conscience of the “Group of the75”, Arnaldo Ramos Lauzurique was blocked from entering the home of another expolitical prisoner of conscience, Martha Beatriz Roque Cabello. He was then taken away by State Security agents, as was Dr. Darsi Ferrer and his wife Yusnaimy Soca and the musician, Ciro Díaz.. Lilvio Fernández Luis and Reinier Vera were beaten and arrested on the same day and so was Sandra Guerra in Melena del Sur.
On December 10, the following activists were arrested: Yoel L. Carbonell Guilar, Aurelio Antonio González Ayala, the independent journalist, David Aguila, and Manuel Cuesta Morúa.
A crew of journalists from the press agency Asociated Press who were interviewing the few citizens along the Malecón on December, was roughed up on December 9 by plainclothes agents who were posted along this seaside wall in Havana to prevent any gatherings in this area.
MATANZAS – Félix Navarro and Iván Hernández Carrillo, both ex political prisoners of conscience of the “Group of the 75”. Also, Emilio Bringas, Félix Pérez Palenzuela, Eduardo Marcos Pacheco Ortiz, Francisco Rangel Manzano, Adrian Pérez Mendoza. Under house arrest: Merecedes de la Guardia Hernández, Eduardo Marcos Pacheco Ortiz, José Antonio del Cueto Carreño. Hiding out because her house was surrounded by paramilitary groups: Leticia Ramos Herrería.

VILLA CLARA (Central Cuba) Idania Yanes Contreras, president of the Coalición Central Opositora, reported that since December 7, many of the activists’s houses were surrounded and that more than 40 human rights defenders were arrested: Jorge Luis García Pérez Antúnez, Librado Linares García, Yris Pérez Aguilera, Yanisbel Valido Pérez, María del Carmen Martínez López, Víctor Castillo Ortega, Maribel Rodríguez Prieto, Yoel Fonseca Machado, Ordalidia González Barroso, Omar Núñez Espinosa, Rolando Ferrer Espinosa, Damaris Moya Portieles, Rodolfo Ernildo Pérez Benítez , Alcides Rivera Rodríguez, Guillermo Fariñas Hernández, José Lino Asencio López, Félix Reyes Gutiérrez, Yasmín Conlledo Riverón, Yusmani Rafael Alvarez Esmoy, Jesús Arístides Hernández Pérez, Roberto Zapata Blanco, Ana Rosa Alfonso Arteaga, Guillermo del Sol Pérez , Orlando Alfonso Martínez, Donaida Pérez Paseiro, Gliceria Paseiro Espinosa, Yris Tamara Pérez Aguilera, , Michel Oliva Lopez, Alberto Reyes Morales, Ramón Arbolaez Abreu, Mayra Conlledo García, Nosbel Jomorca Benavides, Yosmel Pérez, Maidel González Almeida, Alexei Sotolongo Díaz, Miguel Alexei Fernández, Ezequiel Enrique López, Héctor Bermúdez Santana, Luis Manuel Ribalca, Martínez, Javier Delgado Torna, Ariel Orama Martín, Mario Abreu, José Rodríguez López, Sandal Reyes Machado, Aniceto Alvarez Miranda, Yoel Regino Díaz Martínez, Daniel de Armas Casanova, Adalberto Bravo del Sol, José Ramón Borges Serrano, Antonio Suárez Fonticella, Alexander Mesa Rodríguez, José Marino Andrade Treto, Leonardo Rodríguez Alonso, Magaly Broche de la Cruz, José Soto Roche, Jesús Reinaldo Rodríguez Peláez, Guillermo Sánchez Blas, Donaida Perez Paseiro and Gliceria Paseiro Espinosa. The activists belonged to the following human rights groups in Villa Clara: Coalición Central Opositora, Foro Antitotalitario Unido Juan Wilfredo Soto Garcia, Frente Nacional de Resistencia Civica y Desobediencia Civil Orlando Zapata Tamayo and the Movimiento Cubano Reflexión.

Many of these arrests were very violent. Jorge Luis García Pérez Antúnez was punched and kicked on the ground before being forced on to a patrol car.

On December 9, in Camaguaní, Villa Clara the house of Librado Linares, an exprisoner of conscience of the “Group of the 75”, was surrounded and he was eventually arrested. Felix Reyes was also subjected to an arbitrary arrest in Villa Clara.

CAMAGUEY - The following activists were arrested on December 6 and taken to different police units when they were carrying out a silent peaceful march to remember human rights day: Yoan David González Milanés, Mauro Emilio Puig Arrondo, Juan Luis Pérez García, Verlay Bejerano Estrada, Guillermo Rodríguez Rodríguez, Pastor Guzmán Gutierrez Peláez, Rafael Infante González, René Fernández Quiroga and Dayan Mayor Betancourt. The last two were reported abandoned 30 kms away from their home were they were brutally beaten by agents.

LAS TUNAS – (Eastern Cuba) - Armando Peña Guzmán detained early December 10th.

HOLGUIN (Eastern Cuba) - The independent journalist José Ramón Pupo Nieves of the Holguin Press agency reported that at least 23 arrests took place on December 7, that included members of the human rights organizations: Impacto Juvenil Republicano, Prensa Joven, Partido Republicano de Cuba, and FLAMUR. Among those arrested were: Rosa María Naranjo Nieves, Lidia Hernández Pérez, Dionel Aguilera Naranjo, Maria Antonia Hidalgo Mir was threatened by the police.

Adisnidia Cruz and Marco Antonio Lima, parents of Marcos Maiquel and Antonio Michel Lima Cruz, two young activists serving prison sentences, were also arrested on December 7.

BAYAMO (Eastern Cuba) - On December 7, Yoandri Gutierrez and his family were subjected to an act of repudiation and were later arrested. Yaquelín García was subjected to a brutal beating and to short term detention.

GUANTANAMO (Eastern Cuba) – Rosaida Ramirez reported that the activists Rogelio Tabío, Roberto Carlos Corso and Yordis Sofia were beaten and detained.

MANZANILLO (Eastern Cuba) – Osvaldo Pérez Rojas arrested without information of his whereabouts on December 9.

The whereabouts of Cuban prisoners of conscience, Jose Daniel Ferrer Garcia and Angel Moya of the “Group of the 75”, as well as of the human rights defender Jorge Cervantes are presently unknown to their families. These three activists were violently beaten on Friday, December 2nd as they were initiating the second stage of the National March for Freedom: Boitel Zapata Viven!, alongside 50 human rights defenders (released) in the Eastern City of Palma Soriano. The political police will not tell the wives of these activists where their husbands are being held prisoners nor their states of health.

After a week and a half without knowing her whereabouts, the Lady in White, Ivonne Mayeza was located at the “Centro de Procesamiento Penal” at Calabazar Avenue in Havana, where her husband, Ignacio Martinez Montero is also being held in critical health with a heart ailment. Mayeza carried out a hunger strike for about 10 days to protest her arrest. Both activists were violently detained following a peaceful protest in the Fraternidad Park in Havana where they displayed a white sheet that read: “Down with Hunger, Misery, and Poverty”.

As the year 2011 is coming to a close, the Coalition of Cuban-American Women alerts the international community that the lives of those members of Cuban civil society who are actively and publicly struggling on behalf of fundamental freedoms are in danger. We are particularly concerned in Jose Daniel Ferrer Garcia, Angel Moya, Ivonne Mayeza and Ignacio Martinez Montero. International recognition of the peaceful resistance and solidarity for those human rights defenders is crucial. We make an urgent call on religious, civic, political, and cultural entities and its leaders, as well as to non-governmental human rights organizations worldwide.

Coalition of Cuban-American Women / Joseito76@aol.com / Laida A.Carro

FURTHER INFORMATION IN CUBA: Berta Soler +5352906820 / Belkis Cantillo + 5353790867

ANMESTY INTERNATIONAL: URGENT ACTION -CUBAN ACTIVIST IN INCOMMUNICADO DETENTION

2011-12-09T18:08:00.002-05:00

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URGENT ACTION
12/09/2011

The whereabouts of Cuban human rights activist Ivonne Malleza Galano are unknown after police detained her during a peaceful demonstration on 30 November in Cuba's capital, Havana City. Her husband, Ignacio Martínez Montejo, has also been detained after participating in the same protest.

On 30 November, Ivonne Malleza Galano, a member of the Ladies in Support (Damas de Apoyo) to the Ladies in White (Damas de Blanco), and her husband Ignacio Martínez Montejo were arrested by police officers while they were staging a peaceful demonstration against hunger and poverty and holding a banner with the slogan “Stop hunger, misery and poverty in Cuba” in Fraternity Park (Parque de la Fraternidad) in Havana City. Ivonne Malleza Galano was handcuffed and pushed into a police vehicle. Two police officers arrived, tried to confiscate the banner and detained her, along with Ignacio Martínez Montejo. Video footage posted on the internet shows Ivonne Malleza Galano being arrested by the police officers at Fraternity Park while the crowd gathered round her and asked the officers to let her go.

The whereabouts of Ivonne Malleza Galano are unknown and the authorities have not told her relatives whether she is still in police custody, whether she is facing charges, and where she is held. Ignacio Martinez Montejo is still being held at the Ninth Police Station (Novena Estación de la Policía) on Acosta Avenue, Diez de Octubre Municipality, in Havana City. It is not known if he has been charged with any offence.
Since the beginning of the year, the Cuban authorities have detained hundreds of people for short periods, to
prevent them from taking part in peaceful demonstrations.

Please write immediately in Spanish or your own language:
Calling on the authorities to immediately reveal the whereabouts of Ivonne Malleza Galano, and to ensure that she has immediate access to her family, lawyer and any medical assistance she might require;
Asking for details of any charges they face to be made public, and calling on the authorities to ensure that any legal proceedings against them conform to international fair trial standards;
Urging the authorities to remove unlawful restrictions on freedoms of expression, association and assembly in Cuba.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 20 JANUARY 2012 TO:
Head of State and Government
Raúl Castro Ruz
Presidente de la República de Cuba
La Havana, Cuba
Fax: +53 7 83 33 085 (via Foreign Ministry);
+1 212 779 1697 (via Cuban Mission to UN)
Email: cuba@un.int (c/o Cuban Mission to
UN)
Salutation: Su Excelencia / Your
Excellency
Interior Minister
General Abelardo Coloma Ibarra
Ministro del Interior y Prisiones
Ministerio del Interior, Plaza de la Revolución,
La Habana, Cuba
Fax: +537 85 56 621, +1 212 779 1697 (via
Cuban Mission to UN)
Email: correominint@mn.mn.co.cu
Salutation: Su Excelencia / Your
Excellency
And copies to:
Attorney General
Dr Juan Escalona Reguer
Fiscalía General de la República, San Rafael
3, La Habana, Cuba
Salutation: Señor Fiscal General / Dear
Attorney General
Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. Please insert local diplomatic addresses below:
Name Address 1 Address 2 Address 3 Fax Fax number Email Email address Salutation Salutation
Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date.
URGENT ACTION
CUBAN ACTIVIST IN INCOMMUNICADO DETENTION
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Ivonne Malleza Galano is a member of the Ladies in Support (Damas de Apoyo) to the Ladies in White (Damas de Blanco). The Ladies in White (Damas de Blanco) are a group of female relatives of former prisoners of conscience and current political prisoners. They organizes peaceful marches where they distribute flowers and call for the release of those who are still detained. In 2005, the European Parliament awarded The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to the Damas de Blanco.

The Damas de Apoyo emerged as a solidarity group who support and participate in activities organized by the Damas de Blanco. Members of the Damas de Blanco and Damas de Apoyo have repeatedly suffered harassment and intimidation during their
peaceful activities. On 5 August 2011, Ivonne Malleza Galano was detained by police officers and the security of the state trying to prevent her from leaving her home. Two police officers and two state security officers wearing plain clothes grabbed her and
forcibly pushed into a police car. She was released the same day without charges.
Names: Ivonne Malleza Galano, Ignacio Martínez Montejo
Gender: Ivonne Malleza Galano (f) Ignacio Martínez Montejo (m)
UA: 355/11 Index: AMR 25/006/2011 Issue Date: 9 December 2011
Working to protect human rights worldwide

DISCLAIMER

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DECEMBER 10TH: UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS ANNIVERSARY

2011-12-09T11:51:00.002-05:00

In honor and recognition of the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Coalition of Cuban-American Women asks that everyone take a few minutes to read and contemplate the message of this important document.

One can find the UDHR in English or Spanish at the following links:

ENGLISH

http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/index.shtml

ESPANOL

http://www.un.org/es/documents/udhr/

CUBA: THREE HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS VIOLENTLY ARRESTED ARBITRARILY. IVONNE MALLEZA GALANO WHEREABOUTS UNKNOWN

2011-12-09T11:46:00.001-05:00

http://www.frontlinedefenders.org/node/16838



Cet appel sera publié dans la section française de note site web dans quelques jours: www.frontlinedefenders.org/fr
Este llamamiento será publicado en breve en la versión española de nuestra página web: www.frontlinedefenders.org/es
Данное сообщение сейчас переводится и появится на русскоязычной версии сайта через несколько дней www.frontlinedefenders.org/ru
سيتم ترجمة هذه المناشدة وستظهر في القسم العربي من موقعنا الالكتروني خلال بضعة ايام
www.frontlinedefenders.org/ar

(English version below)

8 de diciembre de 2011

Asunto: Cuba – Tres defensores de los derechos humanos arrestados arbitrariamente con violencia e Ivonne Malleza Galano permanece detenida en incomunicación

El 30 de noviembre de 2011, las defensoras de los derechos humanos Ivonne Malleza Galano y Blanca Hernández fueron arrestadas de forma violenta al iniciar una manifestación pacífica en el Parque de la Fraternidad, en La Habana. Blanca Hernández fue liberada mientras que Ivonne Malleza Galano sigue detenida en incomunicación y en paradero desconocido. Ignacio Martínez Montejo, esposo de Ivonne Malleza Galano y también defensor de los derechos humanos, se encontraba filmando la manifestación cuando fue arrestado y su cámara de video confiscada. Actualmente se encuentra detenido en la comisaría de policía de Acosta en La Habana. Ivonne Malleza Galano y Blanca Hernández son miembros de la destacada organización de derechos humanos Damas de Blanco que trabaja por la liberación de los presos políticos en Cuba.

El 30 de noviembre de 2011, Ivonne Malleza Galano, Blanca Hernández y Mayra Morejón, también miembro de Damas de Blanco, se reunieron en el Parque de la Fraternidad y mostraron una pancarta en la que se leía “Basta ya de mentiras y de engaño al pueblo cubano. Cese el hambre, la miseria y la pobreza en Cuba”. Dos agentes de policía llegaron al lugar de los hechos, confiscaron la pancarta y arrestaron a lvonne Malleza Galano y Blanca Hernández. Según se informa, algunos de los presentes que intentaban evitar el arresto fueron rociados con gas lacrimógeno. Ivonne Malleza Galano e Ignacio Martínez Montejo fueron golpeados violentamente.

Tras el arresto, Ivonne Malleza Galano, Blanca Hernández e Ignacio Martínez Montejo fueron llevados a la unidad policial de la calle Zanja, en el centro de La Habana. Horas más tarde, Blanca Hernández fue liberada e Ignacio Martínez Montejo trasferido a la unidad policial de Acosta. Ivonne Malleza Galano fue trasladada a un lugar desconocido. Desde su arresto, amigos y familiares han estado contactando distintas prisiones y comisarías en La Habana pidiendo información sobre su detención. Hasta la fecha el paradero de Ivonne Malleza Galano sigue siendo desconocido. En previas ocasiones, al ser detenida, Ivonne Malleza Galano ha rechazado alimentarse y beber. Ivonne Malleza Galano padece de anemia y tiene un tumor fibroso, además, testigos presenciales afirman haberla visto sangrar a consecuencia de los golpes recibidos durante el arresto. Dada la situación de incomunicación en la que Ivonne Malleza Galano se encuentra, se desconoce si ha recibido la atención médica necesaria.

Estos arrestos violentos forman parte de la represión continuada sobre defensores de los derechos humanos en Cuba, particularmente contra las Damas de Blanco. Durante los últimos meses, manifestantes pacíficos han sido golpeados y arrestados casi diariamente. Cabe destacar el ataque violento de las fuerzas de seguridad sobre aproximadamente 50 manifestantes en Palma Soriana el 2 de diciembre de 2011. Según informes recibidos, los manifestantes fueron duramente golpeados por las fuerzas de seguridad y posteriormente forzados a entrar en autobuses. Algunos de los arrestados siguen en detención, incluidos los defensores de los derechos humanos y ex presos políticos José Daniel Ferrer García y Ángel Moya Acosta.

En vista de los informes de agresiones físicas, Front Line manifiesta su profunda preocupación por la integridad física y psicológica y por la seguridad de los defensores de derechos humanos que permanecen en detención. Asimismo, Front Line manifiesta especial preocupación por la seguridad de Ivonne Malleza Galano, dado que se encuentra en situación de incomunicación, lo cual aumenta gravemente el riesgo de que sea sometida a tortura u otras formas de maltrato.

Front Line considera que el arresto de los defensores de los derechos humanos arriba mencionados es consecuencia directa de su trabajo legítimo en defensa de los derechos humanos, particularmente en relación a las manifestaciones pacíficas que iniciaron en el Parque de la Fraternidad. Front Line teme que pueda producirse una escalada en la represión contra los defensores de derechos humanos por parte de las autoridades cubanas en vísperas del Día de los Derechos Humanos, el 10 de diciembre.

Front Line urge a las autoridades cubanas a que:

Revelen inmediatamente el paradero de la defensora de los derechos humanos Ivonne Malleza Galano, y procedan a su liberación y a la de todos los defensores de los derechos humanos que permanecen detenidos. Front Line considera que estas detenciones son consecuencia únicamente de su trabajo legítimo por los derechos humanos y de su reciente participación en manifestaciones pacíficas;
Garanticen que el trato de todos los defensores de los derechos humanos en situación de detención esté de acuerdo con las condiciones de los “Principios básicos para el tratamiento de los reclusos“, adoptados por la Asamblea General, resolución 45/111, el 14 de diciembre de 1990 , incluyendo las relativas a la obligación de procurar atención médica para el tratamiento de heridas sufridas durante arrestos violentos;
Cesen inmediatamente todos los ataques contra los miembros de Damas de Blanco y demás organizaciones de derechos humanos que participan en acciones pacíficas de protesta y les permitan ejercer su derecho legítimo de libertad de expresión y opinión, tal y como se establece en la legislación internacional;
Tomen todas las medidas necesarias para garantizar la integridad física y psicológica y la seguridad de Ivonne Malleza Galano, así como de todos los defensores de los derechos humanos en Cuba;
Garanticen en toda circunstancia que todos los defensores y defensoras de los derechos humanos es Cuba puedan llevar a cabo sus actividades legítimas de derechos humanos sin miedo a represalias y libres de toda restricción.

8 December 2011

Re: Cuba – Violent arbitrary arrest of three human rights defenders and incommunicado detention of Ms Ivonne Malleza Galano

On 30 November 2011, human rights defenders Ms Ivonne Malleza Galano and Ms Blanca Hernández were violently arrested for initiating a peaceful protest in Fraternity Park in Havana. Ivonne Malleza Galano is currently being held incommunicado and, as such, her whereabouts are unknown. Ivonne Malleza Galano's husband and fellow human rights defender, Mr Ignacio Martínez Montejo, was also arrested and is being held at the Acosta Police Station in Havana. He was filming the protest action on a video camera which was confiscated from him by police. Blanca Hernández was subsequently released. Ivonne Malleza Galano and Blanca Hernández are members of the prominent human rights organisation Damas de Blanco (Ladies in White), which advocates for the release of political prisoners in Cuba.

On 30 November 2011, Ivonne Malleza Galano, Blanca Hernández and Mayra Morejón, another member of Damas de Blanco, held up a sheet in Fraternity Park which read, “Basta ya de mentiras y de engaño al pueblo cubano. Cese el hambre, la miseria y la pobreza en Cuba” (Enough of the lies and of the deception of Cuban people. Stop hunger, misery and poverty in Cuba). Two police officers who arrived on the scene, confiscated the banner and arrested Ivonne Malleza Galano, Blanca Hernández and Ignacio Martínez Montejo. Some members of the public were reportedly pepper-sprayed when they attempted to prevent the arrest of the human rights defenders. It is reported that Ivonne Malleza Galano and Ignacio Martínez Montejo were violently beaten in the course of the arrest.

Following their arrest, Ivonne Malleza Galano, Blanca Hernández and Ignacio Martínez Montejo were taken to the police unit on Zanja Street, Central Havana. Hours later, Blanca Hernández was released and Ignacio Martínez Montejo was transferred to the Acosta police unit. Ivonne Malleza Galano was reportedly removed to an undisclosed location. Since her arrest, friends and family of Ivonne Malleza Galano have contacted the police stations and prisons in Havana seeking information regarding her detention, but to date her whereabouts are unknown. On previous occasions when she has been held in detention, she has refused to eat or take water. Of further concern is the fact that Ivonne Malleza Galano is anaemic and has a fibroid tumour and witnesses state that she was bleeding as a result of the beating she received during her arrest. As she is in incommunicado detention, it is unknown whether Ivonne Malleza Galano is receiving the required medical attention.

These violent arrests form part of an ongoing crackdown on human rights defenders in Cuba, particularly against the Damas de Blanco. In recent months, peaceful protesters have been beaten and arrested on an almost daily basis. Of particular note is the violent attack on approximately 50 protesters in Palma Soriana on 2 December 2011. According to reports, the protesters were heavily beaten by security forces, before being forced onto buses. A number of those arrested remain in detention, including human rights defenders and former political prisoners of conscience Messrs José Daniel Ferrer García and Ángel Moya Acosta.

Given the reports of beatings Front Line is gravely concerned for the physical and psychological integrity and security of those human rights defenders who remain in detention. Front Line is especially concerned for the security of Ivonne Malleza Galano considering that she is currently being held in incommunicado detention, which greatly increases the risk that she may be subjected to torture or other forms of ill-treatment.

Front Line believes that the arrests of the aforementioned human rights defenders are directly related to their legitimate work in defence of human rights, particularly with regard to the peaceful protest which they initiated in Fraternity Park. Front Line is concerned that there could be an escalation in the crackdown on human rights defenders by the Cuban authorities in advance of and around Human Rights Day on 10 December.

Front Line urges the authorities in Cuba to:

Immediately disclose the whereabouts of human rights defender Ivonne Malleza Galano, and release her and all those human rights defenders who remain in detention as Front Line believes that they have been detained solely as a result of their legitimate human rights work and their involvement in recent peaceful protests;
Ensure that the treatment of all human rights defenders, while in detention, adheres to all those conditions set out in the ‘Body of Principles for the Protection of All Persons under Any Form of Detention or Imprisonment', adopted by UN General Assembly resolution 43/173 of 9 December 1988, including the provision of medical care for injuries sustained during their violent arrest;
Immediately cease all attacks against members of Damas de Blanco and all other human rights organisations involved in peaceful protest actions, allowing them to exercise their legitimate right to freedom of opinion and expression as enshrined in international law;
Take all necessary measures to guarantee the physical and psychological integrity and security of Ivonne Malleza Galano, as well as that of all human rights defenders in Cuba;
Guarantee in all circumstances that all human rights defenders in Cuba are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals and free of all restrictions.

2011-12-05T07:50:00.001-05:00

CUBA

CUBAN REGIME UNLEASHES ACTS OF BRUTAL VIOLENCE AGAINST ACTIVISTS THROUGHOUT THE ISLAND ON THE EVE OF ANOTHER ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

More than 150 violent arrests in Eastern Cuba

December 4, 2011

During the week of November 28 – December 4, 2011, peaceful civic protests carried out in Havana and Eastern Cuba faced the brutal acts of violence of paramilitary government forces.

On Wednesday, November the 30th, three female human rights defenders, members of the group “Ladies in White’ were dragged, beaten and violently arrested in a crowded public park in Havana for displaying a white sheet that read: “Down with Hunger, Misery, and Poverty”, “Stop lying and deceiving the Cuban people”. Ivón Mayesa, Blanca Hernández (77 years old), and Mayra Morejón cried out Freedom! at the Fraternidad Park, before dozens of citizens. Some of the onlookers who tried to prevent the arrest of the three women were pepper-sprayed by the policemen. Mayesa’s husband, Ignacio Martínez Montejo, was also beaten and arrested and is detained at the Acosta Police Station in Havana. Hernandez and Morejon were released but the whereabouts of Ivon Mayesa are unknown to her family since her arrest.

Video sent from Cuba via internet of the protest and arrest at the Parque de La Fraternidad in Havana: http://hablalosinmiedo.blogspot.com/2011/12/videos-protesta-en-parque-de-la.html

The National March for Freedom, Boitel Zapata Viven!, a campaign intended to coordinate the peaceful prodemocracy groups throughout the island, with a peaceful march advancing from east to west to create conscience on behalf of human rights in the Cuban population, was thwarted again by a crackdown perpetrated by the combined forces of State Security and the National Revolutionary Police. The march, which faced violent repression when it was initiated in September 2011, kicked off once from the Eastern city of Guantanamo on Thursday, December 1st, where the regime parked buses to block the streets and megaphones played loud music and government propaganda. According to Rogelio Tabio, member of the Resistance and Democracy Movement, thirty four activists of numerous human rights groups were violently arrested in this city to prevent the freedom march. There were also arrests in Moa and Holguin. Activist, Franklin Pelegrino, his wife, and 3 year old daughter were beaten, and arrested in Holguin, and released on December 4th.

On the morning of December 2nd , forty nine human rights defenders came marching out of the house of Liudmila Rodriguez Palomo (arrested Dec. 1st along with Yuniesky Dominguez), located at: Calle Crombet #204, entre avenida Libertad y Remus, in Palma Soriano, in Santiago de Cuba province, carrying a Cuban flag, and chanting “Long live human rights!”. A double line of agents was stationed all around the house to prevent the neighbors from witnessing the violent beatings that were then carried out against the activists who were forced onto buses. Most had to receive medical assistance before being taken to prison units. There were activists that were unrecognizable because they had so much blood on their faces. Those neighbors who protested the ill treatment of the activists were pepper-sprayed by the police.

Thirty one of the 52 activists attacked in Palma Soriano remain under arrest. Two of the ones still in custody are Jose Daniel Ferrer Garcia, leader of the umbrella group in Eastern Cuba UMPACU ( Patriotic Union of Cuba), as well as the main coordinator of the march, Angel Moya Acosta. Both are ex-Cuban political prisoners of conscience of the “Group of the 75” released this year and who refused to be exiled in Spain as a condition for their release. Moya Acosta was one of the most brutally beaten on December 2nd because he would not stop crying out “Long live human rights!” as he was punched, kicked, and brutally beaten with tonfas (police batons).

The human rights group Directorio Democratico documented the following names of those activists arrested on December 2, 2011 in Eastern Cuba: José Daniel Ferrer García, Ángel Moya Acosta, Alexander Abdala Batista, Alexis Portales Arreaga, Luis Enrique Losada Irrizarra, Carlos Manuel Gallardo Mosqueda, Julio César Vega Santiesteban, Jorge Cervantes García, Seigler Bismark Peña Pérez, Eurbis Paredes Elías, Eliécer Covuquet Velázquez, Guillermo Cobas Reyes, Arcelio Marín Almeida, Prudencio Villar Herrera, Dany Lópe de Moya, Rubén Torres Sainz, José Amaury Avelenda Hierrezuelo, Abraham Cabrera Torres, Manuel Martínez Cabrera, Wildon Izaguirre Fuentes, Misael Valdés Díaz, Roberto de la Rosa Estrada, José Antonio Elégica Zulueta, Agustín Alonso Peña, José Batista Falcón, Roilan Ramírez Rodríguez, Alfredo Aníbal Bravo, Bismark Mustelier Galán, Miguel Rafael Cabrera Montoya, Rolando Humberto González Rodríguez, Emilio Guinza, Osmany Céspedes Nápoles, Rubén Andreus de Armas, Carlos Manuel Castellanos, Ángel Lino Isaac Luna, Víctor Campa Almenares, Pedro Campa Almenares, Ángel Luis Campa Almenares, Andrés García Almenares, Yosvani García, and Alexis Yanchoi Kuan Jerez,

On Saturday, December 3rd, in Eastern Cuba, the Ladies in White Belkis Cantillo, and Aimee Garcés Napoles, were arrested when they were on their way to find out in what police unit Cantillo’s husband, Jose Daniel Ferrer Garcia, was being detained. Both women were released on Sunday, December 4.

Approximately seventeen Ladies in White and five activists who accompanied them were able hear Mass in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Charity in Santiago de Cuba on Sunday, December 4th, but around thirteen women were not able to reach the temple as they were intercepted in the highway by authorities and subjected to attacks by mobs made up of school children, people with sticks, and State Security agents.

Berta Soler, leader in Havana of the movement, Ladies in White Laura Pollan denounced that the members of the group are being intimidated and threatened with repression if they carry out any public acts prior to or on December 10 (Human Rights Day).

The Coalition of Cuban-American Women denounces the inhumane acts of torture and arbitrary detentions committed against Cuban human rights defenders. International recognition of the peaceful resistance movement in Cuba and solidarity for these activists is crucial on the sixty third anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, December 10, 2011. We make an urgent call on religious, civic, political, and cultural entities and its leaders, as well as to non-gonvernmental human rights organizations worldwide.

Coalition of Cuban-American Women – Joseito76@aol.com / Laida Carro

Further information in Cuba: Berta Soler +5352906820 / Belkis Cantillo - + 5353790867

CUBAN REGIME ESCALATES ITS REPRESSION AS ACTS OF PEACEFUL RESISTANCE INCREASE ON THE ISLAND

2011-11-28T06:31:00.002-05:00

CUBA

November 27, 2011

During the week of November 21-27, human rights defenders continued being systematically subjected to acts of intimidation, threats, to brutal beatings and mob attacks; to being kidnapped and left abandoned in remote areas; to arbitrary arrests; short term detentions, and to cross examinations. The political police particularly targeted the date of November 24th, proclaimed by the peaceful resistance movement in the island as “Resistance Day”. Protests were reported Thursday in the cities of Havana, Palma Soriano, Pinar del Río, Santa Clara, Sagua la Grande, Ciego de Ávila, Camagüey, Velasco and Cienfuegos. On the 24th day of every month, human rights groups across the island plan to stage organized protests to promote human rights and freedom in Cuba

Monday, November 21 - Police agents detained activists, Joel Lazaro Carbonell and Emilio Jerez for defending the business of a female street vendor in Havana who was being openly blackmailed by a policeman. Jerez was released but the situation of Lazaro Carbonell is unknown.

The ex-political prisoner and independent journalist Enyor Diaz Allen was released 48 hours after being arrested for photographing a mob attack against the home of human rights defender, Osvallemi Grant Guerra. Another independent journalist, Julio Beltran Iglesias, a member of the independent group, Cuban Republican Party, was also released and abandoned in Wajay, 30 kms. away from his home. Beltran Iglesias was kidnapped near his home on November 19 by Cuban State Security in Havana and subjected to cross examination and was accused of being a troublemaker as well as a mercenary of the “Imperialists” (USA), among several other charges.

The following five activists of the 30th of November Frank Pais Movement were arrested as they were on their way to promote “Resistance Day” at the home of the Secretary General of the National Front of Civil Resistance and Disobedience, Jorge Luis Garcia Perez Antunez in Santa Clara (Central Cuba): Yoan David Gonzalez Milanes (handicapped, missing a leg), Mauri Emilio Dupuy Arredondo, Guillermo Rodriguez Rodriguez, Verlay Vejerano Estrada and Juan Luis Perez Garcia. They were all abandoned in remote farm areas.

In Santa Clara (Central Cuba), a total of 17 human rights activists were violently detained when they tried to prevent the Cuban regime’s forced eviction of Yulema Benitez Sigler and her three children from their humble home. Initially detained were: Damaris Moya Portieles, Enrique Martinez Marin, Idania Yanez, Yasmin Riveron, Yusmany Rafael Alvarez, and Jose Luis Lopez. Other human rights defenders who went to the police station to demand the release of their fellow activists and were also arrested: Guillermo del Sol Pérez, Alcides Rivera Rodríguez, Víctor Castillo Ortega, Ana Rosa Alfonso, Jose Luis Lopez, María del Carmen López, Ramón Abreu, Mayra García, Rolando Ferrer Espinosa and Omar Núñez Espinosa.

Wednesday, November 23 – Jose Batista Falcon and Raudel Avila Lozada of the umbrella human rights group, Cuban Patriotic Union were intimidated and threatened with being arrested by the police as they were disseminating copies of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to the residents in the Eastern city of Palma Soriano.

Donaida Perez Paseiro and Yris Perez Aguilera of the Rosa Parks Feminist Movement for Civil Rights were arrested by the political police as they were leaving the house of Yris in Placetas (Central Cuba) so that Yris could seek the treatment of a specialist for the head injuries caused by State Security agents during a beating in May 2011. Both women were subjected to inhumane treatment and conditions during their arrest and released 24 hours later. Yris is the wife of Antunez and their house is permanently surrounded by State Security Agents who threaten, beat and follow them wherever they go.

Thursday, November 24 – Ex-Cuban prisoner of conscience, Librado Linares, of the Cuban Reflection Movement denounced of the police operation and the mob attack to the home of human rights defender and member of the Cuban Reflection Movement, Niursi Acosta Pacheco in the town of Vueltas, Villa Clara (Central Cuba). Activists had gathered to march on to the town’s Central Park and hold and a public act but the aggressors intimidated and threatened the activists by surrounding the house and carrying knives, machetes and metal tubes. Victims of this act of repudiation were: Orlando Triana Gonzalez, Antonio Suarez Fonticiella, Miguel Sotolongo Sotolongo, Raul Gonzalez Manso, Leonardo Rodriguez Alonso, Niursi Acosta Pacheco, Jose Marino Andrades Crespo, Damaris Hidalgo Garcia, Ramon Mesa Rodriguez, Alexander Mesa Rodriguez, Juan Manuel Sarduy Segrel, Diego Sabala Abreu, Manuel U. Acosta and Librado Linares.

In Havana, the following activists marched down an important avenue in El Vedado with a white sign honoring the recently deceased leader of the Ladies in White, Laura Pollan and on behalf of freedom and human rights in Cuba: Sara Marta Fonseca, Odalys Caridad Sanabria, René Ramón González, Ismael Alfaro and Ramsés Camejo. They were all detained and released a few hours later after being threatened and intimidated by Cuban State Security.

In Pinar del Rio a march was also successfully carried out in spite of the numerous arrests. Conrado Rodríguez Suárez, member of the Democratic Alliance of Pinar del Rio (ADP) continues under arrest.

In Sagua La Grande, paramilitary groups surrounded and attacked the home of the human rights activist Jesus Reinaldo, located at Carolina Cabrera Street #60 to prevent the meeting of members of the peaceful resistance.

Pedro Campa Almenares was released after being held in the Prison of Aguadores since August 2011.

In Havana, the police arrested more than a dozen dissidents who were on their way to participate in a forum on racial discrimination to be held November 24-26 at the home of Antonio Madrazo located at Calle 23 #710 entre C y D apto 2 piso 1, Vedado. Among those detained were dissidents Manuel Cuesta Morua, Darsi Ferrer and Yusnaimi Jorge Soca, Guillermo Lizama, Leonardo Calvo, as well as Danilo Maldonado.

Friday, November 25 - José Peña Batista, president of the Calixto García Movement, was arrested and remains in custody. The previous day a march had originated at his home and gone on to a Park in the town of Velazco, in the province of Hoguin ( Eastern Cuba).

Sunday, November 27 – In spite of the intimidations and threats of beatings and arrests, 38 Ladies in White were able to hear mass and march in the city of El Cobre in Eastern Cuba while in Havana 46 members of the Ladies in White “Laura Pollan” walked down 5th Avenue after attending mass at the Church of Santa Rita.

International recognition of the peaceful resistance movement in Cuba and solidarity for these activists is crucial. The Coalition of Cuban-American Women makes an urgent call on religious, civic, political, and cultural entities and its leaders, as well as to non-gonvernmental human rights organizations worldwide.

Coalition of Cuban-American Women / Laida A. Carro / Joseito76@aol.com
Blog: http://www.coalitionofcubanamericanwomen.blogspot.com/
Facebook page: Coalition of Cuban-American Women
Twitter: COCAW1

FURTHER INFORMATION IN CUBA: José Daniel Ferrer - + 53 53631267 / Belkis Cantillo - + 53 53790867 / Berta Soler - + 53 52906820

-------------------------------------------------------

TWO PHOTOS OF THE ARREST OF DONAIDA PEREZ PASEIRO AND YRIS PEREZ AGUILERA
ON NOVEMBER 23, 2011 IN THE CENTRAL CITY OF PLACETAS IN CUBA. PHOTOS WERE SENT
FROM THE ISLAND BY THE BLOGGER YOANI SANCHEZ.

2011-11-21T07:09:00.000-05:00

CUBA

ONGOING SYSTEMATIC REPRESSION CONTINUES AGAINST INDEPENDENT PEACEFUL ORGANIZATIONS

November 20, 2011

During the week of November 14 – 20, the Cuban regime continued its escalating pattern of committing cruel, inhumane and degrading acts against all those who dissent in the island. The following are some human rights activists who were targeted by Cuban repressive forces:

November 14 – Eastern Cuba (city of Contramaestre) - A protest in the streets took place where the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was distributed and activists of UMPACU ( Union Patriotica Cubana), among them JORGE CERVANTES, who cried out “Long Live Human Rights” were brutally beaten, arrested and released the following day.

November 16 – Eastern Cuba (city of Guantanamo) – Protest demanding the release of human rights defender, NIORVIS RIVERA GUERRA, (member of the Resistance and Democracy Movement) and all Cuban political prisoners, ended with a violent ” act of repudiation” by pro government mobs that lasted all afternoon and into the night against the home of OSVALLEMI GRANT GUERRA. As a result two dissidents were injured.

November 18 – Eastern Cuba (city of Palmarito de Cauto) – Following four days of classes on strategies of non violent resistance that were given by the ex-Cuban political prisoner of conscience, LIBRADO LINARES, a father and his son: ROGELIO TABIO LOPEZ and ROGELIO TABIO RAMIREZ were violently detained as they were on their way back home to the city of Guantanamo. Several other activists were also attacked as they returned to their hometowns.

November 18 – Eastern Cuba (city of Palma Soriano) – Seven activists and two family members of PEDRO CAMPO ALMENARES were all violently attacked by authorities when they demanded his release in front of the Unit of the Political Police in Palma Soriano. (Campo Almenares is confined in the Prison of Aguadores since November 16, 2011 for protesting police repression.

November 19 – Eastern Cuba (city of Contramaestre) – A police operation to prevent the assistance to Mass of the Ladies in White, led to the arrest of two of them and their husbands: MAYELIN DE LA O MONTERO and YARISEL FIGUEREDO VALDES, as well as ALEXANDER ALDANA and JULIO CESAR PEGA. Amanda, the eight-year old daughter of Mayelin, spent hours crying for her mother in front of the police station until an agent took her to the home of a neighbor.

November 19 – Havana – MARIA ELENA MIR MARRERO, Secretary general of the CONIC (National Independent Workers Confederation of Cuba) was arrested in her house and released hours later. Independent journalist JULIO CEDEÑO NEGRIN also arrested alongside 2 other activists near Havana’s Central Park.

Since Raul Castro took over power in Cuba in 2006, the island’s political police: Rapid Response Brigades, paramilitary units, State Security agents, and pro government mobs are escalating their ongoing repressive acts against peaceful human rights defenders. As these prodemocracy activists throughout the island seek to assemble, organize and express themselves peacefully they, as well as their family members, are subjected to systematic physical and mental mistreatment.

The Coalition of Cuban-American Women, alerts the international community that the lives of those members of Cuban civil society who are actively and publicly struggling for freedom and peace are in danger. International recognition of the peaceful resistance and solidarity for these activists is crucial. We make an urgent call on religious, civic, political, and cultural entities and its leaders, as well as to non-governmental human rights organizations worldwide.

Coalition of Cuban-American Women – Laida A. Carro / Joseito76@aol.com / www.coalitionofcubanamericanwomen.blogspot.com / Facebook: Coalition of Cuban-American Women /Twitter: COCAW1

FURTHER INFORMATION IN CUBA: José Daniel Ferrer - + 53 53631267 / Belkis Cantillo - + 53 53790867 /
/ Jorge Cervantes - +53 53791610

CUBA - IDANIA YANES CONTRERAS - PRESS RELEASE FROM THE INTER-AMERICAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS (IACHR)

2011-11-14T12:32:00.000-05:00

(Se puede leer el Comunicado de Prensa en español abajo)

PRESS RELEASE

N° 118/11

IACHR CONCERNED OVER ASSAULT ON BENEFICIARY OF PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES IN CUBA

Washington, D.C., November 10, 2011 - The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) expresses its concern over recent attacks suffered by Idania Yanes Contreras in Cuba. She is a beneficiary of precautionary measures granted by the IACHR on June 8, 2011.

Information the IACHR has received indicates that Idania Yanes Contreras was arrested on October 31, 2011, when she was protesting to defend the rights of a political dissident who was on a prolonged hunger strike. Idania Yanes Contreras reportedly was taken to a police unit, dragged by her hair, and severely beaten in the head, abdomen, and back before being released on November 3, 2011. According to the information the IACHR has received, she left the detention center in a fragile state of health and entered the Arnaldo Milián Castro Hospital with injuries to her body.

The Inter-American Commission considers extremely serious the fact that the State of Cuba has not adopted the necessary measures that were requested by the IACHR to protect the life and physical integrity of Idania Yanes Contreras, considering the threats, attacks, and harassment to which she has been subject. The IACHR calls to mind that the State has an obligation to investigate of its own accord the facts that have been reported, and to punish those responsible for the attacks.

The IACHR urges the State of Cuba to immediately and effectively implement each of the precautionary measures granted by the Commission.

http://www.cidh.oas.org/Comunicados/English/2011/118-11eng.htm - ENGLISH

______________________________________

COMUNICADO DE PRENSA

No. 118/11

CIDH EXPRESA PREOCUPACIÓN POR AGRESIONES CONTRA BENEFICIARIA DE MEDIDAS CAUTELARES EN CUBA

Washington, DC, 10 de noviembre de 2011 - La Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos (CIDH) expresa su preocupación por las recientes agresiones sufridas por Idania Yanes Contreras en Cuba, beneficiaria de medidas cautelares otorgadas por la CIDH el 8 de junio de 2011.

La información recibida por la CIDH indica que Idania Yanes Contreras habría sido arrestada el 31 de octubre de 2011, cuando protestaba en defensa de los derechos de un disidente político que estuvo en huelga de hambre prolongada. Idania Yanes Contreras habría sido llevada a una unidad policial, arrastrada de los cabellos y golpeada severamente en la cabeza, el abdomen y la espalda, siendo dejada en libertad el 3 de noviembre de 2011. Según la información recibida, habría salido del centro de detención en un estado delicado de salud e ingresado en el Hospital Arnaldo Milián Castro con heridas en el cuerpo.

La Comisión Interamericana considera de suma gravedad que el Estado de Cuba no haya adoptado las medidas necesarias para proteger la vida y la integridad de Idania Yanes Contreras, solicitadas por la CIDH, considerando las amenazas, agresiones y hostigamiento que ha recibido La CIDH recuerda que es obligación del Estado investigar de oficio los hechos denunciados y sancionar a los responsables de las agresiones.

La CIDH urge al Estado de Cuba a implementar en forma inmediata y efectiva cada una de las medidas cautelares otorgadas por la Comisión.

La CIDH es un órgano principal y autónomo de la Organización de los Estados Americanos (OEA), cuyo mandato surge de la Carta de la OEA y de la Convención Americana sobre Derechos Humanos. La Comisión Interamericana tiene el mandato de promover la observancia de los derechos humanos en la región y actúa como órgano consultivo de la OEA en la materia. La CIDH está integrada por siete miembros independientes que son elegidos por la Asamblea General de la OEA a título personal, y no representan sus países de origen o residencia.

http://www.cidh.oas.org/Comunicados/Spanish/2011/118-11sp.htm - ESPANOL

ACTIVIST SUFFERING SAME SYMPTOMS AS DECEASED LADY IN WHITE

2011-11-07T06:11:00.001-05:00

CUBA
WIDESPREAD BRUTAL REPRESSION AND IMPUNITY
Following a savage beating and arrest, a human rights defender is suffering the same physical symptoms as the recently deceased Lady in White, Laura Pollan

November 6, 2011

Alcides Rivera Rodriguez and Rolando Ferrer Espinosa, two activists on a hunger strike since September 28, 2011, protesting the Cuban regime’s violence against peaceful activists in the island; both admitted respectively, on October 27 and 28, 2011, to the Provincial Hospital Arnaldo Milian in the central city of Santa Clara, were forced out of the medical center by special police forces that had militarized the building. Ferrer Espinosa, was hoisted away on Monday, October 31st to his home in spite of the fact that he was on supplemental oxygen, was shaking due to a high fever, is weak after losing more than 30 lbs. of body weight, and has severe respiratory ailments as well as metabolic acidosis. On November 2,, Alcides Rivera, who was diagnosed with bronchopneumonia and has lost almost 60 lbs, was also forcibly taken out of the hospital. Both Alcides and Rolando declared that they will continue their hunger strike.

On the afternoon of October 31,when Rolando Ferrer was taken out of the hospital by State Security agents, a group of human rights defenders who had gone to the hospital in solidarity with both hunger strikers, were violently arrested: Idania Yanes Contreras, Damaris Moya Portieles, Olga Lilia González Barroso, Alexey Sotolongo Díaz, Enrique Martínez Marín, Orlando Alfonso Martínez, Jorge Ramírez Calderón, René Fernández Quiroga, José Lino Ascencio López, Jorge Alberto Liriano Linares, Yasmín Conledo Riverón, Yusmani Rafael Álvarez Esmori, Yanisbel Valido Pérez, and Víctor Castillo Ortega. The activist, Julio Columbie, who was taking care of Ferrer Espinosa’s in the hospital room was beaten and taken away in a brutal manner. Alcides Rivera Vázquez, son of Alcides Rivera and Zuleika Cepero Méndez, wife of Rolando Ferrer were also taken into custody.

Jorge Luis García Pérez “Antúnez” and his wife, Iris Tamara Pérez Aguilera, of the National Civic Resistance Front were beaten and dragged out of the intensive care unit where they were accompanying Alcides Rivera, as other patients screamed at the agents to stop the mistreatment.

After all pro-democracy activists were taken to the Unidad Provincial de Operaciones (UPO), they were dispersed to different municipalities in the province of Villa Clara and released by November 3rd. Alberto Reyes Morán, Michele Oliva López and Ramón Arboláez Abreu were subjected to short term detention when they appeared at (UPO) to inquire about the wellbeing of their fellow human rights activists. Also, as they were on their way to the Arnaldo Milian Hospital, Jorge Vázquez Chaviano, Nosbel Jomarca Deubides, Maidelis González Almeida and Yosmel Martínez Corcho were taken down from a bus in the outskirts of the city of Sagua la Grande and remained detained for a few hours.

On November 1, 2011, when activist Guillermo Fariñas tried to see Alcides Rivera at the hospital, he was brutally arrested and released on Thursday, November 3.

The particular case of the human rights defender and member of the Central Opposition Coalition, Idania Llanes Contreras, wife of Alcides Rivera, is alarming. On Wednesday, following the brutal beating on October 31, and still under custody,Idania developed a high fever and painful joints, began to shiver, to vomit and had a profuse vaginal bleeding. A physician at the detention center who saw her told her she might have dengue, that ” there was a lot of dengue going around.” Once released she required medical assistance at a hospital and following laboratory tests, a doctor told Idania she had an “unkown virus”. Idania was arrested and held in the same prison cell with the activists Yanisbel Valido and Damaris Portieles.

Testimony given by Idania Llanes describing their arrest:

“I was attacked by three policewomen who dealt three blows to my head as I was being dragged by my hair into a vehicle, they were beating me all over my body, specially on my abdomen…I didn’t realize that they had caused a stab wound to my left hand and scratches on my back with a metallic object. We discovered wounds in our bodies caused by sharp instruments. Damaris was thrown to the ground and hit her head so hard she almost passed out. Yanisbel was choked to the point that her face was red, so red…”

In Havana, this Sunday, November 7, 2011, though forty Ladies in White atended mass in the Church of Santa Rita and were able to march through Fifth Avenue with the image of Laura Pollan, at least six women were threatened by the political police to prevent their participation in the mass and the peaceful march. Among them were: Magaly Norvis Otero, Sandra Guerra, Elizabeth Kawooya and Dignora Figueredo.

Also this Sunday in Santiago de Cuba, a priest, several nuns and parishoners interceded on behalf of seven Ladies in White so that the police would not subject them to acts of repudiation and attacks. The women who were taken away by a car provided by nuns at the Cathedral of Santiago de Cuba were: Belkis Cantillo Ramírez, Aimee Garcés Leiva, Mari Blanca Ávila Expósito, Oria Casanova Moreno, Adriana Núñez Pascual, Tania Bandera González, and Tania Montoya.

The Coalition of Cuban-American women makes an urgent call to the free world, to the press, to men and women in positions of leadership, demanding a stop to the systematic cruel and inhumane acts committed by the Cuban regime against members of Cuban civil society who defend fundamental freedoms in their own country. The lives of these human rights defenders, particularly of women activists, are in pressing danger.

Coalition of Cuban-American Women / Laida Carro / Joseito76@aol.com / www.coalitionofcubanamericanwomen.blogspot.com

FURTHER INFORMATION IN CUBA: Alcides Rivera and Rolando Ferrer – Tel. + 53 42218079 /

Jorge Luis Garcia Perez “Antunez” – + 53 52564369 / Iris T. Aguilera – + 53 52564368

Tania Montoya + 53 53146329

CUBA: PEACEFUL HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS CONTINUE FACING BRUTAL MOB ATTACKS, BEATINGS, AND ARBITRARY ARRESTS FOR THEIR PEACEFUL ACTIONS

2011-10-31T12:05:00.000-04:00

CUBA
October 30, 2011

In the Eastern city of Guantanamo, the home of Niovis Rivera Guerra, (member of the Resistance and Democracy Movement), his wife, Yurilaidy Travieso and three young daughters, 13, 9 and 3 years old, was surrounded by patrol cars, military vehicles, and subjected to, at least, two days of brutal mob attacks (October 25-26, 2011) of around 400 people. Asphalt was thrown against the house, all the windows, as well as the door, were stoned and broken, the family received death threats, and Rivera Guerra was beaten and tear gased. All this brutal violence was because the family displayed pro democracy and human rights posters in the front of their home. This is the fifth time in 2011, that the home of this activist is attacked. Several members of the Resistance and Democracy Movement were beaten and arrested when they tried to come to the aid of Niovis Rivera Guerra and his family: Hermis Figueras Ros, Francisco Osoria Claro, and the Adventist Pastor Raul Martinez Caraballo.

Also in Eastern Cuba, on October 26, 2011, several cities suffered government repression, In Contramaestre, any activist or citizen who visits the home of human rights defender, Jorge Cervantes is under scrutiny by the political police. In Moa, Rapid Response Brigades threw eggs against the home of the coordinator of the UMPACU, Juan Carlos Vazquez Osoria and the Lady in White, Annis Sarrion Romero.

Two human rights defenders in Santa Clara (Central Cuba) who were on a hunger strike since September 28, 2011, demanding that the Cuban government put a stop to the violence against peaceful activists, were taken in critical state to the Provincial Hospital Arnaldo Milian Castro. Alcides Rivera Rodriguez was admitted to the hospital on Thursday, October 27, 2011, and diagnosed with bronchopneumonia. Rolando Ferrer Espinosa was admitted on the following day. Alcides has lost almost 60 lbs. while Ferrer Espinosa who is suffering a severe abdominal pain has lost over 30 lbs.of his body weight. Both continue in critical condition.

On October 24, 2011 several human rights activists were arrested in Havana when peaceful organizations such as the National Front of Civil Resistance and Desobedience and the Human Rights Party called on activists to gather at the Martin Luther King Park. Adjacent streets to this park were all surrounded by State Security agents. Among several activists arbitrarily detained and released were Sara Marta Fonseca and Rodolfo Ramirez Cardoso.

On Sunday, October 30, 2011, ten Ladies in White, in Eastern Cuba, were beaten and arbitrarily detained as they tried to attend mass in the Cathedral of Santiago de Cuba. The following women were mistreated and suffered short term detention: Aymeé Garcés ( as well as her husband Julio Valcarcel) Leyva, Belkis Cantillo Ramírez, Vivian Peña Hernández, Liudmila Rodríguez Palomo, Adriana Núñez Pascual, María Elena Matos, Oria Casanova Moreno, Yuremi González Pavót, Tania Bandera González, Ana Celia Rodríguez Torres and a minor 14 years old, Marta Beatriz Ferrer Cantillo the daughter of Lady in White, Belkis Cantillo and the expolitical prisoner of conscience, Jose Daniel Ferrer.

At least three homes of activists who had gathered in the Eastern cities of Palma Soriano and Palmarito de Cauto to protest the violence against the Ladies in White on October 30 were surrounded by repressive forces. Under siege were the following human rights defenders of the National Front Orlando Zapata as well as members of the UMPACU ( Patriotic Union of Cuba): Prudencio Villalon, Roberto Quiñones, Pedro Manuel Guerrero, Julio Cesar Salazar, Ruben Torres, Dany Lopez, Rudy San Ramirez, Rolando Humberto Gonzalez, Maximiliano Sanchez, Abraham Cabrera, Amauri Abelenda and Manuel Martinez.

FURTHER INFORMATION IN CUBA: José Daniel Ferrer - + 53 53631267 / Belkis Cantillo - + 53 53790867 /

Niovis Rivera Guerra - +53 53361314 / Jorge Cervantes - +53 53791610

Coalition of Cuban-American Women – Laida A. Carro / Joseito76@aol.com / http://www.coalitionofcubanamericanwomen.blogspot.com/ / Facebook page: Coalition of Cuban-American Women / Twitter: @COCA1

NOTA PERIODISTICA DE LAS DAMAS DE BLANCO - 10/24/2011 / PRESS RELEASE FROM THE DAMAS DE BLANCO - 10/24/2011

2011-10-26T09:32:00.004-04:00

(See English below)

Nota Periodística /
10/24/2011

Por este medio hacemos constar lo siguiente:

El día 18 de octubre del 2011, día que se realizó el Té Literario # 101, las Damas de Blanco allí, acordaron con las presentes:
Primero. Por respeto y honor a Laura Pollán, comenzar a identificar la agrupación feminista: Mov. Damas de Blanco "Laura Pollán".

Segundo. Mantener la disciplina, valor, dignidad y pacifismo en la lucha por la libertad de los presos políticos cubanos y la defensa y promoción de los derechos humanos.

Tercero. Ratificar como representantes del Mov. Damas de Blanco "Laura Pollán" a:
Blanca Reyes Castellón ---------------- en Europa, radica en España.
Yolanda Huerga Cedeño --------------- en América, radica en Estados Unidos.
Berta Soler Fernández ----------------- en Cuba.

Quedando autorizadas ellas para todo lo relacionado con el Mov. Damas de Blanco "Laura Pollán".

Dado en La Habana, Cuba a los 18 días del mes de octubre del 2011.
Mov. Damas de Blanco "Laura Pollán"

Firmado
Berta Soler Fernández.

____________________________________________________________________

Press release
10/24/2011

Through this release, we put the following on record:

On October 18, 2011, the day on which the 101st Literary Tea was held, the Damas de Blanco in attendance agreed on the following:

First: With respect for and in honor of Laura Pollán, to begin to identify this women's group as the Ladies in White "Laura Pollán" Movement.

Second: To maintain discipline, valor, dignity and pacifism in the struggle for freedom for Cuban political prisoners and the defense and promotion of human rights.

Third: To ratify the following women as representatives of the Ladies in White "Laura Pollán" Movement:

Blanca Reyes Castellón--------------in Europe. Located in Spain.

Yolanda Huerga Cedeño------------ in North America. Located in the United States.

Berta Soler Fernández---------------in Cuba.

These women are authorized for any and all matters related to the Ladies in White "Laura Pollán" Movement.

Statement released in Havana, Cuba, October 18, 2011

Signed:
Berta Soler Fernández

(Translation from Spanish: Tanya S. Wilder / Coalition of Cuban-American Women / tswilder@suddenlink.net / http://www.coalitionofcubanamericanwomen.blogspot.com/)

SYSTEMATIC REPRESSION AGAINST ACTIVISTS WHO VOW TO CONTINUE DEFENDING HUMAN RIGHTS

2011-10-24T09:07:00.005-04:00

CUBA

SYSTEMATIC REPRESSION AGAINST ACTIVISTS WHO VOW TO CONTINUE DEFENDING HUMAN RIGHTS

October 24, 2011

On Tuesday, October 18, 2011, Dania Virgen Garcia , an independent journalist, blogger, and a member of the support group of the Ladies in White, was arbitrarily and violently detained by State Security agents in Havana. Dania and her husband, Michel Iroy Rodriguez, were on their way to the home of the recently deceased leader of the Ladies in White, Laura Pollan where a regular cultural event was to take place as it always has been every 18^th day of every month.

At around 11:30 a.m., a half dozen unidentified plainclothes men and women beat and pushed around Dania Virgen and her husband in the public thoroughfare, and carried them away to the 11^th Precinct of the National Revolutionary Police (PNR) in Havana. Michel Iroy Rodriguez was released the following day (Oct. 19) but Dania remained cut off from her family and friends until her husband was able to see her on Thursday, (October 20) with visible injuries on her arms.

A group of 15 human rights defenders, including Dania’s husband, staged a peaceful vigil at 7:30 p.m., October 20 in front of the police station where Dania was being held to protest the activist’s arbitrary arrest. They were all taken into custody by the police to different undisclosed detention centers and later released: Michel Iroy Rodriguez, Belkis Felicia Jordan, Pedro Lopez Cuni, Fernando Bergara, Roberto Ubeta, Michel Suarez, Jose Angel Luque, Emilio Jerez Oliver, Joel Lazaro Carbonell, David Aguila Montero, Florentina Machado, Ruben Picrin, Jose Ignacio Martinez, Esmit Castillo and Rebeca Rodriguez.

Dania was released on the afternoon of Friday, October 21 and denounced that as a result of the severe beating and mistreatment; she suffered from acute headaches and passed out twice. The police took her to the hospital where she was administered a shot of an unknown medication and, in spite of the doctor’s recommendation to authorities to release her, Dania was returned to a cell where she said she was “…thrown inside like a dog.” Just before being released, Dania was transferred to an “Alternative Detention Center” in the southwest section of Havana and a disciplinary action was taken against her, in which she is accused of “contempt” and “public disorder”.

Human rights defender, Sara Marta Fonseca was also violently arrested on October 18, 2011 and released later that afternoon. Cuban authorities warned her that she will be arrested if she assembles publicly in the streets with other activists; that she cannot leave her house after 10:00 p.m. and that she must remain within the limits of the province of Havana. Sara Marta declared that she will continue her peaceful struggle on behalf of the freedom of Cuba as she always has and will not be constrained in any way by the political police.

The following women activists were also stopped and prevented from going to Laura Pollan’s home in Havana on October 18, 2011: Mercedes Fresneda, Mayra Morejon, Rosario Morales, Leonor Reino Borges, and Sandra Guerra.

October 17 – 23, 2011 – A list of some of the activists, independent journalists, etc. who were subjected to short term detentions in different parts of Cuba to prevent their participation in events that honored the deceased Lady in White, Laura Pollan: José Ángel Luque, David Aguila Montero, Juan C. Vázquez, Solemnis Abad, Leuvis Fajardo, Héctor Silot, Bárbaro Tresol, Omar Pérez, Marlon Azahares Girón, Jose A. Garrido, Luis E. Lozada, Emiliano Gonzalez Olivera

On Sunday, October 23, 2011, State Security set up control points in the island to prevent members of the Ladies in White from attending mass and marching in Havana and Santiago de Cuba. Rita María Montes de Oca, Florentina Machado, Lourdes Esquivel ( all three remained under house arrest in Havana) while in Eastern Cuba, Oria Casanova, Yurenis Gonzalez and Tania Bandera were forced down from the truck they were traveling.

The Coalition of Cuban-American Women makes an urgent alert to the international community of the human rights violations committed by the Cuban state against citizens who exercise and demand fundamental freedoms in the island.

FURTHER INFORMATION IN CUBA: José Daniel Ferrer - + 53 53631267 / Belkis Cantillo - + 53 53790867 /
Berta Soler +5352906820

Coalition of Cuban-American Women – Laida A. Carro / Joseito76@aol.com /
http://www.coalitionofcubanamericanwomen.blogspot.com/

A DISSIDENT'S MYSTERIOUS DEATH IN HAVANA by Mary Anastasia O' Grady (The Wall Street Journal)

2011-10-24T09:05:00.002-04:00

http://www.capitolhillcubans.com/2011/10/dissidents-mysterious-death.html

Sunday, October 23, 2011

By Mary Anastasia O'Grady in The Wall Street Journal:
Days after a beating by a mob, Laura Pollán fell ill and soon died. She was cremated two hours later.

For more than eight years, the Castro regime tried its level best to silence Ladies in White leader Laura Pollán. Ten days ago Pollán did fall silent. She passed away, after a brief illness, in a Havana hospital.

Hospital officials initially said that she died of cardiac and respiratory arrest. But according to Berta Soler, the spokesperson for the Ladies in White in Havana, the death certificate says that Pollán succumbed to diabetes mellitus type II, bronchial pneumonia and a syncytial virus.

Since there was no independent medical care available to her and there was no autopsy, we are unlikely ever to find out what killed Pollán. We do know that although she was a diabetic with high blood pressure, both were under control and she did not need regular insulin shots. Indeed, she had been healthy only weeks before her death, according to friends and family. We also know that the longer she remained under state care, the sicker she got.

Not surprisingly, the Cuban opposition is suspicious about her demise, and their concerns deserve an airing if only because of the nature of the totalitarian regime. It learned its trade from communist Eastern Europe, where the practice of eliminating enemies while in state custody was refined.

Over the life of the Cuban dictatorship, suspicious deaths (most commonly heart attacks) of otherwise healthy individuals who were considered disloyal to the Castros are not unheard of. The most famous was José Abrantes, a former interior minister and confidant of Fidel, who had a falling out with his boss, was imprisoned, and though known for being fit died of a heart attack in his cell in 1991. More than one defector from inside the regime has claimed that Abrantes was murdered.

Pollán took up her cause when her husband, Hector Maseda, was arrested, along with 74 others, in an island-wide crackdown on dissent in March 2003. Seeking a way to resist the injustice, she joined other women whose loved ones were handed down long sentences in Cuba's Black Spring. Together they organized a simple, peaceful act of disobedience: After attending Mass at St. Rita's church in Havana, they marched in the street, dressed in white and carrying gladiolas. The group was peaceful and nonpolitical. But to the regime it was dangerous. Mobs were unleashed against it.

Beatings, detentions, intimidation and harassment of the group were fruitless. The Ladies repeatedly returned to their "counterrevolutionary" practices: Sunday Mass, silent processions, Wednesday women's "literary teas" held in Ms. Pollán's home, prayer vigils for the persecuted.

The movement took on enormous visual power, and when images of the ladies being attacked in the streets went viral, the dictatorship was humiliated. The Castros were forced to offer the Black Spring prisoners "liberation" through exile with their spouses.

Pollán and her husband refused. Instead she expanded the movement across the country and promised to convert it to a human rights organization open to all women. Speaking from the Guanajay prison as her condition was deteriorating, jailed former Cuban counterintelligence officer Ernesto Borges Pérez told the Hablemos Press that making public those objectives likely sealed her fate.

On Sept. 24, Pollán was attacked by a mob as she tried to leave her house to attend Mass. Her right arm was reportedly twisted, scratched and bitten. This is notable because for more than a year, the Ladies had alleged that when Castro's enforcement squads came after them, the regime's goons pricked their skin with needles. Those same women claimed that they subsequently felt dizzy, nauseous and feverish. Independent journalist Carlos Ríos Otero reported this for Hablemos Press before Pollán was hospitalized.

According to interviews with Pollán's daughter and husband and with Ms. Soler, conducted by the Miami-based nongovernmental organization Directorio, eight days after the Sept. 24 assault Pollán came down with chills and began vomiting. Wracked with pain in her joints the next day, she was taken to the Calixto García hospital. After a battery of tests she was told everything was normal and released. On Oct. 4, she had a fever and shortness of breath. A prescribed antibiotic did not help. On Oct. 7 she was admitted to the hospital, later transferred to intensive care and the next day put on a respirator.

Her family was denied visitation rights until Oct. 10, when only her daughter was allowed to see her. State security agents surrounded her bed and monitored the doctors. On Oct. 12 doctors reported that she had a syncytial respiratory virus, which is otherwise known as a cold. She was obviously much sicker.

On Oct. 14 she died. When the family was allowed to see the body, state security agents were again on hand, as they were at the one-hour wake permitted at midnight. In record time—only two hours later—Pollán was returned to ashes. Who could blame the resistance for its suspicions?

~ Coalition of Cuban-American Women ~ Coalición de Mujeres Cubano-Americanas

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By DAMIEN CAVE

Published: January 20, 2012

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A version of this article appeared in print on January 21, 2012, on page A10 of the New York edition with the headline: Prison Death Brings Outcry Against Cuba.

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The United States and Europe called on Cuba to honor the human rights of its citizens after the death Thursday of dissident Wilman Villar Mendoza.

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