Corbacho Daudinot v. Puig Valdes et al

Filing 1

COMPLAINT UNDER THE TORTURE VICTIM PROTECTION ACT against All Defendants. Filing fees $ 400.00 receipt number 113C-5898756, filed by MIGUEL ANGEL CORBACHO DAUDINOT. (Attachments: #1 Civil Cover Sheet, #2 Summon(s), #3 Exhibit A, #4 Exhibit B, #5 Exhibit C, #6 Exhibit D, #7 Exhibit E, #8 Exhibit F, #9 Exhibit G, #10 Exhibit H, #11 Exhibit I, #12 Exhibit J, #13 Exhibit K, #14 Exhibit L, #15 Exhibit M, #16 Exhibit N, #17 Exhibit O, #18 Exhibit P, #19 Exhibit Q, #20 Exhibit R, #21 Exhibit S, #22 Exhibit T, #23 Exhibit U)(Gonzalez, Avelino)

UNITED
NATIONS

E

Exhibit O

Economic and Social
Council

Distr.
GENERAL
E/CN.4/2005/33
4 January 2005
ENGLISH
Original: FRENCH

COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS
Sixty-first session
Item 9 of the provisional agenda

QUESTION OF THE VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL
FREEDOMS IN ANY PART OF THE WORLD
Situation of human rights in Cuba
Report submitted by the Personal Representative of the High Commissioner
for Human Rights, Christine Chanet

GE.05-10249 (E) 180205 220205

E/CN.4/2005/33
page 2
Summary
In accordance with the mandate entrusted to her in Commission on Human Rights
resolutions 2002/18, 2003/13 and 2004/11, the Personal Representative of the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights made several attempts to contact the Cuban authorities
to initiate a dialogue with them in order to fulfil her mandate of examining the situation of
human rights in Cuba.
The Personal Representative of the High Commissioner has received no reply from the
Cuban authorities.
Despite these difficulties, the Personal Representative of the High Commissioner has
made an effort to carry out an objective and impartial assessment of the evolution of the situation
in Cuba in relation to civil and political rights, in accordance with her mandate. She gave a
hearing to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the representatives of member States of
the Commission who wished to meet her. She familiarized herself with all the documents
relating to Cuba which were made available to her by the Office of the High Commissioner and
the special rapporteurs.
Positive aspects must once again be noted in the sphere of economic, social and cultural
rights, especially in the areas of education and health, where the Cuban authorities are making
major efforts, in particular as regards funding.
Similarly, where civil and political rights are concerned, in 2004 the Cuban Government
released 18 people who had been arrested in 2002 and 2003.
Cuba has cooperated with the Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and
expression, the Special Rapporteur on the question of torture and the Special Rapporteur on the
right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental
health, who sent the Government a joint allegation letter on 16 September 2004 regarding the
situation of several prisoners. Cuba has also cooperated with the Special Rapporteur on the
right to freedom of opinion and expression, who sent the Government an allegation letter
on 22 September 2004 regarding restrictions to Internet access and use in the country and the
situation of two prisoners.
It is impossible to ignore the disastrous and lasting economic and social effects compounded in 2004 - of the embargo imposed on the Cuban population over 40 years ago, as
well as its impacts on civil and political rights.
The scope of the embargo has been increased as a result of tighter economic and financial
restrictions that significantly limit the movement of persons, which the United States of America
imposed in May 2004. They included, in particular, weight restrictions on registered luggage,
family visits limited to one every three years, fewer educational exchanges and restrictions on
sporting exchanges.

E/CN.4/2005/33
page 3
On 28 October 2004, with the support of an overwhelming majority of Member States,
the General Assembly adopted resolution 59/11 on the necessity of ending the economic,
commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba.
The extreme tension between Cuba and the United States of America has created a
climate which is far from conducive to the development of freedom of expression and freedom
of assembly. United States laws and the funding provided for “building democracy in Cuba”
make members of the political opposition on the island appear to be sympathetic to foreign
influences and provide the Cuban authorities with an opportunity to tighten repression against
them.
It is worth recalling the unprecedented wave of repression that was unleashed in
March-April 2003 in Cuba, the pretext being the active role played by the United States Interests
Section in Havana vis-à-vis the political opposition. Nearly 80 members of civil society were
arrested. They were tried and sentenced to very long prison terms ranging from 6 to 28 years,
either under article 91 of the Criminal Code, or on the basis of article 91 combined with the
provisions of Act No. 88 on acts “contrary to the independence and integrity of the State”.
The prosecution cited the publication of articles or interviews in the media,
communication with international NGOs and exiles in the United States or in Europe,
possession of audio or video cassettes originating from the United States Interests Section in
Havana, and communication with groups which were not officially recognized - trade unions,
professional associations and independent Cuban academic groups.
Those arrested were tried in very short order - a few weeks, or even a few days, in trials
not open to the public. The accused were assisted by counsel who did not belong to an
independent bar association. They are currently being held in conditions affecting their physical
and mental health which are all the more worrying as the Cuban authorities have provided the
High Commissioner and the special rapporteurs who signed the urgent appeals with very brief
information about them, or none.
In 2004, more people were arrested and given disproportionate sentences for expressing
dissident political opinions, and journalists were threatened and intimidated and had their
equipment confiscated.
The Personal Representative of the High Commissioner has drawn up
10 recommendations intended to put an end to the current situation through restoration
of the guaranteed fundamental rights of citizens in the country and international protection
of those rights through Cuba’s accession to the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights, as well as its two optional protocols and the International Covenant on Economic, Social
and Cultural Rights.

E/CN.4/2005/33
page 4
CONTENTS
Paragraphs
Introduction ..............................................................................................

Page

1-4

5

FACTORS HINDERING THE REALIZATION
OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN CUBA ................................................

5 - 11

5

II.

POSITIVE ASPECTS ..................................................................

12 - 22

6

III.

SUBJECTS OF CONCERN .........................................................

23 - 32

8

IV.

CONCLUSIONS ..........................................................................

33 - 35

9

V.

RECOMMENDATIONS .............................................................

36

10

I.

Annex: List of persons from civil society arrested in
March-April 2003 and still in prison ..................................................................

11

E/CN.4/2005/33
page 5
Introduction
1.
In its resolution 2002/18, the Commission on Human Rights requested the
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to take the steps necessary to send a
personal representative with a view to cooperation between her Office and the Government of
Cuba in the implementation of the resolution. In its resolution 2003/13, the Commission, after
expressing its satisfaction with the appointment of Christine Chanet as Personal Representative
of the High Commissioner, requested the Government of Cuba to receive her and provide her
with all the facilities necessary for her to fulfil her mandate. The Commission reiterated that
request in its resolution 2004/11.
2.
On 6 February and 12 May 2003, the Personal Representative of the High Commissioner,
by a letter addressed to the Permanent Representative of Cuba to the United Nations Office at
Geneva, invited the Cuban authorities to meet her with a view to planning a constructive
dialogue with her. On 30 May 2003, the High Commissioner sent a letter backing up this
request. On 26 June 2003, the Cuban authorities notified the High Commissioner that they did
not recognize the Personal Representative’s mandate.
3.
Nevertheless, the Personal Representative of the High Commissioner attempted to
establish contact with the Cuban authorities on 26 July 2004. Her request, like the previous
ones, met with no response.
4.
In these circumstances, the Personal Representative of the High Commissioner gathered
information from the Commission’s thematic special rapporteurs who had had occasion to
inquire into the situation of human rights in Cuba during the period under consideration, and
from NGOs and representatives of member States of the Commission on Human Rights who
wished to discuss the matter.
I.

FACTORS HINDERING THE REALIZATION
OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN CUBA

5.
The economic, trade and financial embargo on Cuba, which has been in force
for 40 years, has been regularly condemned by the United Nations General Assembly over
the past 13 years. Notwithstanding the resolutions that have been adopted, the initial blockade
was strengthened in 1992 by the Torricelli Act (Cuban Democracy Act) and in 1996 by the
Helms Burton Act (Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act).
6.
In its resolution 58/7 of 4 November 2003, the General Assembly requested the
Secretary-General, in consultation with the appropriate organs and agencies of the
United Nations system, to prepare a report on the impact of the embargo against Cuba, in
the light of the purposes and principles of the Charter and international law. In his reports
of 27 August and 5 October 2004 (A/59/302, Parts I and II), the Secretary-General transmitted
the replies from Governments and United Nations organs and agencies on the implementation of
this resolution.

E/CN.4/2005/33
page 6
7.
The restrictions imposed by the embargo help to deprive Cuba of vital access to
medicines, new scientific and medical technology, food, chemical water treatment and
electricity. The disastrous effects of the embargo in terms of the economic, social and cultural
rights of the Cuban people have been denounced by the United Nations Food and Agriculture
Organization, the United Nations Children’s Fund, the United Nations Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the World Health Organization (see all the reports
issued by these specialized agencies in 2002).
8.
The embargo, and particularly the Torricelli and Helms-Burton acts, also have serious
impacts in terms of the civil and political rights of Cuban citizens, by provoking a reaction on the
part of the Cuban authorities, who respond with repressive laws. As the Special Rapporteur on
the situation of human rights in Cuba, Carl-Johan Groth, noted in 1997 in his report to the
Commission at its fifty-third session, by means of the above-mentioned laws “the United States
of America assumes the right to be the outside party that determines the rules for converting the
current totalitarian system into a different, more pluralist one” (E/CN.4/1997/53, para. 46).
9.
As a result, many Cuban citizens who are regarded by the Government of Cuba as being
involved in this effort are identified as “mercenaries working for foreign interests” who should
be punished under repressive laws such as Act No. 88.
10.
President Carter, when preparing his report of 21 May 2002 following his visit to Cuba,
pointed out that the best-known dissidents are unanimous in opposing the strengthening of a very
hard United States line towards Cuba as well as any funding of their activities - which might
substantiate the claim, long upheld by President Castro, that they are “lackeys of Washington”.
11.
The difficulties the Cuban population has encountered as a result of the embargo were
compounded in 2004, particularly as a result of the tighter economic and financial restrictions
imposed by the United States in May. These measures are supplemented by significant
limitations on the movement of persons and goods. Consequently:
− Family visits by Cuban-Americans will be limited, in future, to one every three years
instead of one a year;
− Family members will only be able to send parcels to their immediate relatives; and
− The authorized daily allowance visitors can bring into Cuba has been cut by
two thirds.
II. POSITIVE ASPECTS
12.
Despite a particularly unfavourable environment, the efforts of the Government of Cuba,
especially in the budgetary field, have enabled it to maintain a sound health system which has
helped to lower infant mortality and extend the life expectancy of all its citizens.
13.
Where education is concerned, 100 per cent of children attend school, and data from the
Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development and UNESCO place Cuba among the
leading United Nations Member States in respect of school success rates, particularly in
mathematics.

E/CN.4/2005/33
page 7
14.

Illiteracy (now 0.2 per cent) is being wiped out.

15.
In efforts to combat discrimination against women, the level of female employment in the
public sector has stood at 49.6 per cent since 1996, and there has been a steady rise in the
proportion of women in the National Assembly and the judiciary, and in decision-making posts.1
16.
Where civil and political rights are concerned, an improvement in the exercise of
freedom of religion was noted at the time of Pope John Paul II’s visit to Cuba.
17.
Cuba has ratified a number of conventions in the field of human rights and has submitted
reports to the appropriate treaty organs.
18.

During 2004, the Cuban authorities released 18 prisoners on health grounds.

19.
These prisons include the following prisoners whose names appear in the annex
to E/CN.4/2004/32:
Miguel Valdés Tamayo
Manuel Vásquez Portal
Carmelo Agustín Díaz Hernández
Juan Roberto de Miranda Hernández
Orlando Fundora Alvarez
Julio Antonio Valdés Guevara
Marta Beatriz Roque Cabello
Oscar Manuel Espinosa Chepe
Marcelo Manuel López Bañobre
Margarito Broche Espinosa
Raúl Rivero Castañeda
Osvaldo Alfonso Valdes
Edel José García Díaz
Jorge Olivera Castillo.
1

See the concluding comments adopted by the Committee on the Elimination of
Discrimination against Women at its twenty-third session, in June 2000 [Official Records of
the General Assembly, Fifty-fifth Session, Supplement No. 38 (A/55/38), paras. 252-277].

E/CN.4/2005/33
page 8
20.
Four other prisoners who had been detained since 2002 for similar reasons were also
released. They are:
Carlos Alberto Domínguez Gonzáles
Emilio Leyva Pérez
Lázaro Miguel Rodríguez Capote
Leonardo Bruzón Ávila.
21.
In a press release on 27 July 2004, the Personal Representative of the
High Commissioner welcomed this move by the Cuban Government and encouraged it
to release more people imprisoned for acts that do not constitute an offence against persons
or property.
22.
Furthermore, during the period under consideration, the Cuban Government replied
to an allegation letter regarding the situation of several prisoners, which had been sent to it
on 16 September 2004 by the Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and
expression, the Special Rapporteur on the question of torture and the Special Rapporteur on the
right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental
health. Cuba also cooperated with the Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and
expression, who sent a letter on 22 September 2004 regarding restrictions to Internet access and
use in the country and the situation of two prisoners.
III. SUBJECTS OF CONCERN
23.
One subject of concern relates primarily to the arrest of almost 80 persons in
March-April 2003 in what the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention regards as arbitrary
detention. In its Opinion No. 9/2003, the Working Group categorized them as persons
detained in contravention of articles 19, 20 and 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
(see E/CN.4/2004/3/Add.1). These persons were arrested while working as journalists, writers,
members of associations, human rights defenders or members of political parties and opposition
trade unions.
24.
Most of those detained support the Varela project, which involves the collection of
signatures for the organization of a referendum on changing the electoral system and the
fostering of other legislative reforms.
25.
The charges levelled against the accused persons fall in some cases solely under
article 91 of the Cuban Criminal Code, covering acts contrary to the independence or integrity of
the State, and in others under article 91 combined with Act No. 88, on protection of Cuba’s
national and economic independence.
26.
Several of the accused persons have been charged with such actions as receiving
funds from foreign countries or engaging in activities deemed to be subversive by the State,
giving interviews to Radio Martí, a network broadcasting from the United States,

E/CN.4/2005/33
page 9
communicating with international human rights organizations, possessing radio or video
equipment, or participating in trade unions, associations or academic groups deemed to be
“counter-revolutionary”.
27.
These persons were tried in very short order, sometimes within a few days, denying them
sufficient time to prepare their defence. Neither independent counsel nor diplomats nor foreign
journalists were allowed to attend these trials. Prison terms ranging from 6 to 28 years were
imposed.
28.
Moreover, in 2004 more people were arrested and convicted for openly expressing
dissident political opinions.
29.
State security agents threatened and intimidated journalists and militants who supported
the Varela project, and confiscated their equipment.
30.
In October 2004, three members of the European Parliament who expressed solidarity
with opposition militants were deported from Cuba.
31.
The Personal Representative of the High Commissioner is alarmed at the allegations of
ill-treatment in detention submitted by families of prisoners. Food and hygiene are sub-standard
and medical care either unavailable or inappropriate. Some prisoners are kept in solitary
confinement, while others are subjected to dangerous levels of overcrowding with ordinary
prisoners. There have been several reports of guards humiliating and even striking prisoners.
Relatives encounter many problems when trying to arrange visits to prisoners, who are often
detained far from their homes.
32.

Several prisoners have been on particularly stressful hunger strikes.
IV. CONCLUSIONS

33.
The difficulties resulting from the embargo have been significantly exacerbated
during the reporting period. Nonetheless, the Cuban Government has made some effort,
releasing 18 prisoners on humanitarian grounds.
34.
However, these releases do not signify the end of the period of repression which began
in 2003, nor an improvement in the situation of civil and political rights in Cuba. According to
opinion No. 9/2003 of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, 61 people are still in arbitrary
detention.
35.
In addition, the Personal Representative of the High Commissioner considers that the
suffering inflicted on the people of Cuba as a result of the embargo is compounded by
restrictions on the fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals which the Cuban authorities
have the power to eliminate. With the aim of securing the progress called for in the
above-mentioned resolutions, and in order to support the efforts made in 2004, the Personal
Representative of the High Commissioner herewith submits her recommendations.

E/CN.4/2005/33
page 10
V. RECOMMENDATIONS
36.
The Personal Representative of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
recommends that the Government of Cuba should take the following measures:
(a)
Halt the prosecution of citizens who are exercising the rights guaranteed
under articles 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;
(b)
Release detained persons who have not committed acts of violence against
individuals and property;
(c)
Review laws which lead to criminal prosecutions of persons exercising their
freedom of expression, demonstration, assembly and association, and in particular
Act No. 88 and article 91 of the Criminal Code, in order to bring these provisions of the
law into line with the above-mentioned provisions of the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights;
(d)
Uphold, without exceptions, the moratorium on the application of the death
penalty introduced in 2000, with a view to the abolition of the death penalty;
(e)
Reform the rules of criminal procedure to bring them into line with the
requirements of articles 10 and 11 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;
(f)
Establish a standing independent body with the function of receiving
complaints from persons claiming that their fundamental rights have been violated;
(g)
Review the regulations relating to travel into and out of Cuba in order to
guarantee freedom of movement as defined in article 13 of the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights;
(h)

Authorize non-governmental organizations to enter Cuba;

(i)
Foster pluralism in respect of associations, trade unions, organs of the press
and political parties in Cuba;
(j)
Accede to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and its
optional protocols and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural
Rights.

E/CN.4/2005/33
page 11
Annex
LIST OF PERSONS FROM CIVIL SOCIETY ARRESTED IN
MARCH-APRIL 2003 AND STILL IN PRISON
1.
Nelson Alberto Aguiar Ramírez, President of the Orthodox Party of Cuba, 13 years’
imprisonment for anti-government activities under Act No. 88.
2.
Pedro Pablo Alvares Ramos, President of CUTC (independent trade union), 25 years’
imprisonment under Act No. 88.
3.
Pedro Argüelles Morán, Director of the Cooperative of Independent Journalists press
agency, member of the Cuban Committee for Human Rights, 20 years’ imprisonment under
Act No. 88.
4.
Victor Rolando Arroyo Carmona, member of the Forum for Reform and the Union of
Independent Cuban Journalists and Writers (UPECI), 26 years’ imprisonment under article 91 of
the Criminal Code.
5.
Mijail Barzaga Lugo, member of the 30 November Organization, 15 years’
imprisonment under Act No. 88.
6.
Oscar Elias Biscet Gonzalez, President of the Lawton Foundation for Human
Rights, 25 years’ imprisonment under article 91 of the Criminal Code.
7.
Mario Enrique Mayo Hernández, Camaguey correspondent of the independent
Felix Varela press agency, 20 years’ imprisonment under article 91 of the Criminal Code.
8.
Marcelo Cano Rodríguez, doctor, member of the Cuban Commission on Human Rights
and National Reconciliation (CCDHRN) and member of the Independent Medical College of
Cuba, sentenced to 18 years’ imprisonment under Act No. 88 and article 91 of the Criminal
Code.
9.
Eduardo Díaz Fleitas, member of the 5 August opposition movement, 21 years’
imprisonment under Act No. 88.
10.
Antonio Ramón Díaz Sánchez, member of the Christian Liberation Movement, active
member of the Committee for the Varela project, 20 years’ imprisonment under article 91 of the
Criminal Code.
11.
Alfredo Rodolfo Domínguez Batista, member of the Christian Liberation Movement
and active member of the Committee for the Varela project, 14 years’ imprisonment.
12.
Alfredo Felipe Fuentes, member of the Committee for the Varela project, 26 years’
imprisonment.
13.
Efrén Fernández Fernández, member of the executive of the Christian Liberation
Movement and activist supporter of the Varela project, 12 years’ imprisonment under
article 91 of the Criminal Code.

E/CN.4/2005/33
page 12
14.
Juan Adolfo Fernández Sainz, journalist in the Patria agency, 15 years’ imprisonment
under Act No. 88.
15.
José Daniel Ferrer García, activist supporter of the Varela project and coordinator of
the Christian Liberation Movement, 25 years’ imprisonment under Act No. 88.
16.
Luis Enrique Ferrer García, member of the Christian Liberation Movement,
coordinator of the Varela project in Las Tunas, 28 years’ imprisonment.
17.
Próspero Gainza Agüero, member of the Pedro Luis Boitel National Civic Resistance
Movement, 25 years’ imprisonment under Act No. 88.
18.
Miguel Galbán Gutierrez, journalist in the unofficial Havana Press agency, coordinator
of the Varela project, 26 years’ imprisonment under article 91 of the Criminal Code and
Act No. 88.
19.
Julio César Galvez Rodríguez, member of the unofficial organization Cuba Free
Press, 15 years’ imprisonment under Act No. 88.
20.
José Luis García Paneque, surgeon, director of the unofficial press agency
Libertad, 24 years’ imprisonment and confiscation of his medical and communication equipment
under article 91 of the Criminal Code and Act No. 88.
21.
Ricardo Severino González Alfonso, journalist with his own private
bookshop, 20 years’ imprisonment under article 91 of the Criminal Code for publishing
aggressive and false information against the Cuban Government.
22.
Diosdado González Marrero, political activist, 20 years’ imprisonment under
Act No. 88.
23.
Léster González Penton, independent journalist, 20 years’ imprisonment under
article 91 of the Criminal Code.
24.
Alejandro González Raga, journalist, 14 years’ imprisonment under article 91 of the
Criminal Code.
25.
Jorge Luis González Tanquero, member of the Carlos Manuel de Céspedes
independent movement, activist supporter of the Varela project, 20 years’ imprisonment.
26.
Leonel Grave de Peralta Almenares, activist supporter of the Varela project, owner of
an independent bookshop, 20 years’ imprisonment under Act No. 88.
27.
Iván Hernández Carrillo, journalist in the independent agency Patria, 25 years’
imprisonment under Act No. 88. He is accused in particular of possessing a computer from the
United States.
28.
Normando Hernández González, director of the College of Independent
Journalists, 25 years’ imprisonment, under article 91 of the Criminal Code and other provisions,
for criticizing the Government on Radio Martí.

E/CN.4/2005/33
page 13
29.
Juan Carlos Herrera Acosta, independent journalist in the province of
Guantánamo, 20 years’ imprisonment under Act No. 88.
30.
Regis Iglesias Ramírez, spokesperson of the Christian Liberation Movement, activist
supporter of the Varela project, 18 years’ imprisonment under article 91 of the Criminal Code.
31.
José Ubaldo Izquierdo Hernández, bookseller and activist in Havana, 16 years’
imprisonment.
32.
Reynaldo Miguel Labrado Peña, member of the Christian Liberation Movement and
activist supporter of the Varela project, 6 years’ imprisonment.
33.
Librado Ricardo Linares García, President of the Cuban Reflection
Movement, 20 years’ imprisonment under article 91 of the Criminal Code, accused of
counter-revolutionary activities such as meetings, lectures and seminars.
34.
Héctor Fernando Maseda Gutiérrez, independent journalist, 20 years’ imprisonment
under article 91 of the Criminal Code and Act No. 88. His fax machine, typewriter, books and
certain articles were confiscated.
35.
José Miguel Martínez Hernández, activist supporter of the Varela project, owner of a
private bookshop, 13 years’ imprisonment.
36.
Mario Enrique Mayo Hernández, legal specialist, director of the unofficial
Felix Varela press agency, 20 years’ imprisonment under article 91 of the Criminal Code.
37.
Luis Milán Fernández, doctor, member of the unofficial organization Medical College
of Cuba, 13 years’ imprisonment.
38.
Nelson Moliné Espino, President of the Confederation of Democratic Workers of Cuba
(unofficial), 20 years’ imprisonment under article 91 of the Criminal Code.
39.
Angel Juan Moya Acosta, activist, 20 years’ imprisonment under article 91 of the
Criminal Code.
40.
Felix Navarro Rodríguez, activist supporter of the Varela project, 25 years’
imprisonment under Act No. 88.
41.

Pablo Pacheco Avila, independent journalist, 20 years’ imprisonment under Act No. 88.

42.
Héctor Palacios Ruíz, Director of the Centre for Social Studies, Secretary of the
All Together Committee, 25 years’ imprisonment under article 91 of the Criminal Code and
Act No. 88. He is accused in particular of possessing an independent bookshop at his home.
43.
Arturo Pérez de Alejo Rodríguez, President of the human rights organization
Frente Escambray, activist supporter of the Varela project, 20 years’ imprisonment.
44.
Omar Pernet Hernández, head of the Mario Manuel de la Peña national human rights
movement, 25 years’ imprisonment under article 91 of the Criminal Code.

E/CN.4/2005/33
page 14
45.
Horacio Julio Piña Borrego, activist supporter of the Varela project, 20 years’
imprisonment under Act No. 88.
46.

Fabio Prieto Llorente, independent journalist, 20 years’ imprisonment.

47.
Alfredo Manuel Pulido López, independent journalist, activist supporter of the Varela
project and member of the Christian Liberation Movement, 14 years’ imprisonment under
article 91 of the Criminal Code.
48.

José Gabriel Ramón Castillo, teacher, activist in Santiago, 20 years’ imprisonment.

49.
Arnaldo Ramos Lauzerique, member of the Cuban Institute of Independent
Economists, 18 years’ imprisonment under article 91 of the Criminal Code.
50.
Blas Giraldo Reyes Rodríguez, activist supporter of the Varela project, owner
of an independent bookshop at Sancti Spiritu, coordinator of the Christian Liberation
Movement, 25 years’ imprisonment.
51.
Alexis Rodríguez Fernández, coordinator of the Christian Liberation Movement in
Palra Soriano, activist supporter of the Varela project, 15 years’ imprisonment.
52.
Omar Rodríguez Saludes, Director of the independent press agency Nueva Prensa,
photographer, 27 years’ imprisonment under article 91 of the Criminal Code.
53.
Omar Moisés Ruíz Hernández, independent journalist, 18 years’ imprisonment under
article 91 of the Criminal Code.
54.
Claro Sánchez Altarriba, activist in Santiago, 15 years’ imprisonment under
Act No. 88.
55 and 56.
Ariel and Guido Sigler Amaya, activists in the unofficial movement Alternative
Option in Matanzas, sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment under Act No. 88.
57.
Ricardo Silva Gual, doctor, member of the Christian Liberation Movement, 10 years’
imprisonment under Act No. 88.
58.
Fidel Suárez Cruz, farmer, opposition activist in Piñas del Río, owner of a private
bookshop, 20 years’ imprisonment under Act No. 88.
59.
Manuel Ubals González, President of the unofficial movement Cuban Liberty
Council, 20 years’ imprisonment under Act No. 88.
60.
Héctor Raúl Valle Hernández, trade union activist, 12 years’ imprisonment under
article 91 of the Criminal Code.
61.
Antonio Augusto Villareal Acosta, activist supporter of the Varela project, 15 years’
imprisonment.
-----