Liberal International (LI) welcomes the report of the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation with Human Rights Defenders to the 67th Session of the UN General Assembly, Mrs. Margaret Sekaggya, which focused on the use of legislation to regulate the activities of Human Rights defenders. LI firmly supports the conclusions of the report which stress that “recent legislative developments in a number of countries are not in compliance with international human rights standards, notably the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, and do not contribute to a conducive working environment for defenders.”
This statement would like to pay particular attention to the repression and constant prosecution of human rights defenders and democracy activists by the authorities in Cuba due to the illegitimate laws that govern the exercise of fundamental rights in the country.
Notes with deep concern that in spite of all the well-publicized, so called reforms of the Cuban government, the situation for Human Rights activists and any other citizens who legitimately decide to exercise their fundamental freedoms in Cuba continues to be extremely difficult.
Stresses that the Cuban Constitution continues to consider the Communist party as the only legitimate political party, at the same time as it establishes that no dissent or protest can be used against the Cuban government. Activists who promote or defend Human Rights are constantly persecuted, harassed and arbitrarily arrested. The political police and paramilitary groups organized by the political police attack the activists on a daily basis, increasingly using violence and other humiliations to prevent them from exercising their rights.
Underlines that there are many examples of such behaviour occurring on a weekly basis. In November 2012 Antonio Rodiles, who is a lawyer and the promoter of the campaign “For a different Cuba” (a peaceful project aimed at debating current issues in Cuba), was beaten and arrested. He was kept imprisoned for a few weeks among other activists. For example, Yoani Sánchez, who was also beaten and freed later on (after a few hours) and José Daniel Ferrer: an activist who has received many death threats because he promotes and defends Human Rights. The members of “Ladies in White”, an organization peacefully struggling for the liberation of political prisoners, continue to be harassed, beaten and arrested by the paramilitary groups organized by the political police.
Notes that the Cuban Commission for Human Rights and National Reconciliation, an independent group which monitors the violation of Human Rights in Cuba, has documented 6,602 cases of arbitrary detentions for the year 2012, which means an increase of 50% compared to 2011, and the number of political prisoners who have been sentenced or are awaiting trial has risen to 82.
Defends the notion that even if a growing number of citizens decide to freely and peacefully assemble to promote the democratic changes that are needed in Cuba, as well as demand the respect of basic rights, such as the right to assembly, affiliation and expression, they still end up being repressed by the Cuban government.
Underlines that peaceful activists denounce violations on a daily basis: they are expelled from their work place, they are denied studies at higher levels, they suffer limitations to travel in and out of the country, in spite of the new immigration regulations, etc.
Recalls the tragic death of the late opposition leader Osvaldo Paya and expresses deep concern over the lack of proper investigation into his death.
Expresses solidarity with all those brave people, many of whom belong to LI member parties, who still live in Cuba and whom are constantly subjected to permanent harassment and imprisonment by the Cuban authorities for trying to exercise their basic human rights.
Emphasizes that to present or promote any political idea that contradicts the postulates of the Cuban communist party is considered a felony according to the Cuban laws. Independent journalists, who are considered as opposition by the Cuban government, are also victims of the governmental repression. It puts Cuba near the top of the list of countries with the largest number of journalists imprisoned. These actions have been denounced by international organizations such as Reporters without Borders and the Inter-American Press Association.
Stresses that Calixto Ramón Martínez Arias, an independent journalist, has been in prison without a trial since September 2012. He was arrested while conducting an investigation at Havana’s international airport José Martí, regarding medical equipment and medicines which were spoiled because the government did not transport them on time. Amnesty International has pleaded to the Cuban government to liberate this independent journalist who has been arbitrarily and unjustly incarcerated.
Notes with deep concern that Ángel Moya, one of the opposition leaders incarcerated during the Black Spring of Cuba in 2003, stated last January that the authorities had denied him the right to obtain a valid passport to travel abroad and come back to the country, alleging “reasons of public interest.” Moya is a peaceful Human Rights defender and recognized as a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International.
Highlights that on January the 19th, a group of activists in the city of Contramaestre, in the Eastern part of Cuba, suffered a brutal beating by the paramilitary groups organized by the political police. The paramilitary used wooden sticks, stones and machetes to attack the peaceful activists, causing serious injuries to these Human Rights defenders, who were only commemorating the first anniversary of the death of Wilmar Villar Mendoza, a young activist who died after a month long hunger strike protesting against his unjust incarceration. Photographs and testimonies of the activists attacked by the paramilitary are available online.
Expresses deep concern that there are dozens of more cases of repression of Human Rights defenders in Cuba.
Stresses that none of the changes that have taken place on the island could lead to a real opening unless the persecution and the repression against those who peacefully defend the free exercise and respect for Human Rights in Cuba ceases. The island will continue to have the worst record in the Western hemisphere with regards to respect for fundamental liberties.
Joins in calling for the release of prisoners and much like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and Reporters without Borders expresses protest to the latest arrests of Human Rights defenders.
Liberal International recalls:
Liberal International calls:
The full PDF version of the statement as published by the United Nations Human Rights Council can be found here.
