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
Monday, December 05, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
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.
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.
Monday, November 21, 2011
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
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
Monday, November 14, 2011
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.
______________________________________
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.
Monday, November 07, 2011
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
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
Monday, October 31, 2011
CUBA: PEACEFUL HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS CONTINUE FACING BRUTAL MOB ATTACKS, BEATINGS, AND ARBITRARY ARRESTS FOR THEIR PEACEFUL ACTIONS
CUBA
October 30, 2011
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.
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
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
NOTA PERIODISTICA DE LAS DAMAS DE BLANCO - 10/24/2011 / PRESS RELEASE FROM THE DAMAS DE BLANCO - 10/24/2011
(See English below)
Nota Periodística /
10/24/2011
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:
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/)
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.
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 release10/24/2011
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/)
Monday, October 24, 2011
SYSTEMATIC REPRESSION AGAINST ACTIVISTS WHO VOW TO CONTINUE DEFENDING HUMAN RIGHTS
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 18th 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 11th 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,
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
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
Berta Soler +5352906820
Coalition of Cuban-American Women – Laida A. Carro / Joseito76@aol.com /
http://www.coalitionofcubanamericanwomen.blogspot.com/
http://www.coalitionofcubanamericanwomen.blogspot.com/
A DISSIDENT'S MYSTERIOUS DEATH IN HAVANA by Mary Anastasia O' Grady (The Wall Street Journal)
Sunday, October 23, 2011
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?
Thursday, October 20, 2011
MUJERES CUBANAS EXILIADAS CONVOCAN A VIGILIA EN MEMORIA DE LAURA POLLÁN
Debido a los reportes de las condiciones climáticas que indican fuertes lluvias para este miércoles, hemos tenido que posponer nuevamente La Vigilia en memoria de Laura Pollán para el viernes 21 de octubre a las 7:30 P.M., en el mismo lugar frente al Ayuntamiento de Coral Gables, día significativo por cumplirse una semana de su muerte.
Unidas en el dolor y la indignación, exhortamos a todas las organizaciones y al exilio en general a rendir tributo a esta mujer ejemplar, líder del movimiento pacífico Damas de Blanco, para que recordemos el valor, la tenacidad y la entrega de Laura Pollán, como parte integral de la resistencia cívica por una Cuba libre.
A su vez, que esta vigilia sirva de denuncia para dejarle saber al mundo las extrañas circunstancias en las que se produjeron su enfermedad y súbita muerte, ya que la práctica de eliminar físicamente a sus opositores ha sido y continúa siendo una característica de la dictadura de los hermanos Castro durante los últimos 53 años.
Rendiremos tributo a Laura Pollán porque nunca se detuvo frente a la represión, y para que su ejemplo sea llama de firmeza y dignidad en Cuba y en el exilio, y podamos continuar la lucha, de la que esta valiente mujer fue parte vital, hasta que logremos su sueño de una Cuba libre y democrática.
United in sorrow and indignation, we call upon exile organizations and the community in general to honor an extraordinary woman, whose courage, tenacity and devotion for a free Cuba were the essence of her life as part of the Cuban civic resistance movement.
At the same time, let this serve to remind public opinion, that the strange circumstances surrounding her death is but another example of how the Castro dictatorship has eliminated its opposition during the last 53 years.
Laura Pollan was never intimidated by the regime’s repression and this vigil is a tribute to her struggle as a beacon of freedom, so that her example continues to grow in Cuba and exile until her dream of a free and democratic Cuba is achieved.
Ana Carbonell La Rosa Blanca
Laida Carro Asamblea de la Resistencia Cubana (ARC)
Georgina Chirino Federación de Plantas Eléctricas en el Exilio
Mercy Cubas The Cuba Corps
Miriam de la Peña Madre del Mártir Mario de la Peña
Margarita Ferragut Casa Cuba – Houston
Carmen Gómez Partido Liberal Cubano
Yolanda Huerga Representante de las Damas de Blanco en América
Sylvia G. Iriondo M.A.R. por Cuba – Madres y Mujeres Anti-Represión
María A. Lima Coalición de Mujeres Cubano Americanas
Eneida López Movimiento de Recuperación Revolucionaria (M.R.R.)
Laura López Jóvenes Cubanos en Acción
Maritza Lugo Plantados y Movimiento “30 de Noviembre”
Marta Menor Cultivamos una Rosa Blanca
Emelina Núnez-Pardo Presidio Político Histórico – Casa del Preso
Dra. Mercedes Perdigón Exilio Unido
Nancy Pérez Crespo Nueva Prensa Cubana
Ninoska Pérez Castellón Consejo por la Libertad de Cuba – (C.L.C.)
Nivia Quintela Grupo Internacional de Responsabilidad Corporativa
Janisset Rivero Directorio Democrático Cubano
Araceli Rodríguez San Román Frente Unido Occidental
Cary Roque Ex presa política
María del Carmen Toro Revista Ideal
Unidas en el dolor y la indignación, exhortamos a todas las organizaciones y al exilio en general a rendir tributo a esta mujer ejemplar, líder del movimiento pacífico Damas de Blanco, para que recordemos el valor, la tenacidad y la entrega de Laura Pollán, como parte integral de la resistencia cívica por una Cuba libre.
A su vez, que esta vigilia sirva de denuncia para dejarle saber al mundo las extrañas circunstancias en las que se produjeron su enfermedad y súbita muerte, ya que la práctica de eliminar físicamente a sus opositores ha sido y continúa siendo una característica de la dictadura de los hermanos Castro durante los últimos 53 años.
Rendiremos tributo a Laura Pollán porque nunca se detuvo frente a la represión, y para que su ejemplo sea llama de firmeza y dignidad en Cuba y en el exilio, y podamos continuar la lucha, de la que esta valiente mujer fue parte vital, hasta que logremos su sueño de una Cuba libre y democrática.
CUBAN WOMEN IN EXILE TO HOLD CANDLELIGHT VIGIL IN MEMORY OF LAURA POLLAN
Due to climatic conditions reports that indicate high probability of heavy rains for this Wednesday, we have postponed again The Vigil in memory of Laura Pollan to Friday, October 21, at 7:30 P.M in the George B. Merrick Park, across from the Coral Gables City Hall, a significant day that marks one week since her death.United in sorrow and indignation, we call upon exile organizations and the community in general to honor an extraordinary woman, whose courage, tenacity and devotion for a free Cuba were the essence of her life as part of the Cuban civic resistance movement.
At the same time, let this serve to remind public opinion, that the strange circumstances surrounding her death is but another example of how the Castro dictatorship has eliminated its opposition during the last 53 years.
Laura Pollan was never intimidated by the regime’s repression and this vigil is a tribute to her struggle as a beacon of freedom, so that her example continues to grow in Cuba and exile until her dream of a free and democratic Cuba is achieved.
(Lista de Firmas Adjunta/List of Signatures Attached)
Lista de Firmantes/List of Signatures
Vigilia en Memoria de Laura Pollán
Candlelight Vigil in Memory of Laura Pollan
Bertha Antúnez Frente Femenino por los Derechos Civiles Rosa Parks
Eva Barbas Madre del Mártir Pablo MoralesAna Carbonell La Rosa Blanca
Laida Carro Asamblea de la Resistencia Cubana (ARC)
Georgina Chirino Federación de Plantas Eléctricas en el Exilio
Mercy Cubas The Cuba Corps
Miriam de la Peña Madre del Mártir Mario de la Peña
Margarita Ferragut Casa Cuba – Houston
Carmen Gómez Partido Liberal Cubano
Yolanda Huerga Representante de las Damas de Blanco en América
Sylvia G. Iriondo M.A.R. por Cuba – Madres y Mujeres Anti-Represión
María A. Lima Coalición de Mujeres Cubano Americanas
Eneida López Movimiento de Recuperación Revolucionaria (M.R.R.)
Laura López Jóvenes Cubanos en Acción
Maritza Lugo Plantados y Movimiento “30 de Noviembre”
Marta Menor Cultivamos una Rosa Blanca
Emelina Núnez-Pardo Presidio Político Histórico – Casa del Preso
Dra. Mercedes Perdigón Exilio Unido
Nancy Pérez Crespo Nueva Prensa Cubana
Ninoska Pérez Castellón Consejo por la Libertad de Cuba – (C.L.C.)
Nivia Quintela Grupo Internacional de Responsabilidad Corporativa
Janisset Rivero Directorio Democrático Cubano
Araceli Rodríguez San Román Frente Unido Occidental
Cary Roque Ex presa política
María del Carmen Toro Revista Ideal
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
CUBA'S LADY OF VALOR
Freedom: Laura Pollan Toledo was a humble schoolteacher who led Cuba's defiant Ladies in White. She died Friday in Havana. But she left a legacy of untold courage that terrified Cuba's long-communist dictatorship.
As surely as the sun will rise, a day will come when Cuba is free of its 52-year Marxist nightmare. And when its history is written, it's likely to begin with the story of Laura Pollan Toledo, the wife of an arrested dissident who shined a light on the totalitarian nature of the regime for all the world to see.
Pollan was a founder of the Ladies in White, the noted group of dissidents' wives who silently walked in procession, wearing white and carrying gladiolus flowers. They attended Mass together at St. Rita's Church to pray for their husbands' return.
They never made public statements, but the Castro regime understood the power of their silent protest and its global impact. For that, they considered Pollan a threat.
Pollan and the others, mostly wives of 75 dissidents arrested in the Black Spring of 2003, were followed, insulted, harassed, threatened, beaten by mobs and menaced for silently witnessing to the truth about Cuba's lack of human freedom.
Pollan died in a Cuban hospital of dengue fever and a viral infection, in the end at the mercy of Cuba's collapsing state health system, refusing transfer to an elite medical facility as the publicity-nervous regime offered.
It's hard to imagine the courage that Pollan's simple act of witness took, in a regime that considers going to church a threat to the state.
In Castro's island hellhole, praised by the Hollywood and congressional left, free speech is forbidden. Calling for elections brings a knock on the door at midnight. Trying to leave the island brings prison — even death.
(Source: http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article/588557/201110181856/Cubas-Lady-Of-Valor.htm)
As surely as the sun will rise, a day will come when Cuba is free of its 52-year Marxist nightmare. And when its history is written, it's likely to begin with the story of Laura Pollan Toledo, the wife of an arrested dissident who shined a light on the totalitarian nature of the regime for all the world to see.
Pollan was a founder of the Ladies in White, the noted group of dissidents' wives who silently walked in procession, wearing white and carrying gladiolus flowers. They attended Mass together at St. Rita's Church to pray for their husbands' return.
They never made public statements, but the Castro regime understood the power of their silent protest and its global impact. For that, they considered Pollan a threat.
Pollan and the others, mostly wives of 75 dissidents arrested in the Black Spring of 2003, were followed, insulted, harassed, threatened, beaten by mobs and menaced for silently witnessing to the truth about Cuba's lack of human freedom.
Pollan died in a Cuban hospital of dengue fever and a viral infection, in the end at the mercy of Cuba's collapsing state health system, refusing transfer to an elite medical facility as the publicity-nervous regime offered.
It's hard to imagine the courage that Pollan's simple act of witness took, in a regime that considers going to church a threat to the state.
In Castro's island hellhole, praised by the Hollywood and congressional left, free speech is forbidden. Calling for elections brings a knock on the door at midnight. Trying to leave the island brings prison — even death.
Yet amid this island prison just 90 miles from our shores, Pollan and her friends stood up for truth.
She died without seeing the free Cuba she longed for. Still, the pure flame of her courage changed Cuba in ways large and small, and helped set it on a path of ultimate liberation. RIP(Source: http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article/588557/201110181856/Cubas-Lady-Of-Valor.htm)
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