Amnesty International Medical Action

19 August 1997
MA 17/97
IMPRISONED DOCTOR
CUBA: Dr Desi MENDOZA Rivero

Dr Desi Mendoza Rivero, aged 42 and married with four children (including one infant), was reportedly detained on 25 June 1997 in Santiago de Cuba in the east of the country and taken to the State Security headquarters at Versalles. On 12 August 1997 he was transferred to Aguadores Prison, also in Santiago de Cuba. The authorities have not made any public statements about the reasons for his arrest. However, unofficial sources attribute his detention to statements he had made regarding an epidemic of dengue fever in Santiago de Cuba which, according to him, had caused several deaths. He reportedly accused the authorities of covering up the true extent of the epidemic and of not taking sufficient measures to control it. He is believed to be facing various charges, possibly including 'enemy propaganda', 'dissemination of false news' and 'illegal association'.

Dr Mendoza is reported to have uncontrolled hypertension (presion arterial descontrolada) with a cardiac arrhythmia conditions which make exertion and stress highly undesirable. Amnesty International has adopted him as a prisoner of conscience and is seeking his immediate and unconditional release from prison.

Background

Dr Mendoza established the Colegio Medico Independiente de Santiago de Cuba (Santiago de Cuba Independent Medical Association, of which he is president) in 1994. As a result, a short time later he lost his job according to AI's information. It is not clear whether he has worked since. Journalist Juan Carlos Caspedes of the Agencia de Prensa Libre Oriental (APLO), Oriente Free Press Agency, based in Santiago de Cuba, was also arrested, on 12 June 1997, and reportedly questioned about an article he wrote on the dengue epidemic. He was released on 18 June and it is not clear if he is facing charges. Another APLO journalist, Daisy Carcases Valle, who wrote about the dengue epidemic, was detained briefly on 15 August 1997 and threatened with imprisonment.

The arrest of Dr Mendoza has taken place in the context of a general crackdown by the authorities, with several independent activists and other dissidents being arrested in other parts of Cuba in recent weeks.

Recommended Actions

Letters from medical professionals should be sent to the addresses below: - urging that Dr Desi Mendoza of Santiago de Cuba be immediately and unconditionally released on the grounds that he is a prisoner of conscience; - expressing concern at his state of health (you could note that he reportedly has cardiac problems) and urging that he be given access to a doctor and to a lawyer of his choice; - asking for details of his current situation and for details of any medical care he is receiving; - seeking guarantees that he will be well treated.

Addresses

Sr. Carlos Dotres Martinez

Ministro de la Salud Publica

Ministerio de la Salud Publica

Calle 23, No. 301

Vedado, La Habana, Cuba

Dear Minister:

[Telex: 307 511149]

Dr. Juan Escalona Reguera

Fiscal General de la Republica

Fiscalia General de la Republica

San Rafael 3

La Habana, Cuba

Dear Attorney General:

[Tel: 011 53 7 333164 / 320411]

[Fax: 011 53 7 333164]

Sr. Jefe del Centro de Investigaciones

del Departamento de Seguridad del Estado (DSE)

Versalles

Santiago de Cuba

Prov. Oriente, Cuba

Dear Director:

Sr. Director

Prision de Aguadores

Santiago de Cuba

Prov. Oriente, Cuba

Dear Director:

Please send copies of your letters to:

Sr. Roberto Robaina Gonzelez

Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores

Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores

Calzada No. 360

Vedado

La Habana, Cuba

[Fax: 011 53 7 333085; 011 53 7 335261]

Cuba has no embassy in the US at present.

To contact its interest in the US, write

Cuban Interests Section

Mr. Fernando Remirez de Estenoz

2630 - 16th St. NW

Washington, DC 20009

Please send appeals immediately. Check with the Colorado office between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm, Mountain Time, weekdays only, if sending appeals after October 1, 1997.