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

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

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(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:

1. 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;
2. 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;
3. 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;
4. 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;
5. 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:

1. 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;
2. 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;
3. 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;
4. 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;
5. 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.

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

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                

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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.

 

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)

(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.

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.

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

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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

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