Amnesty International/ Urgent Action Follow Up

Further information on EXTRA 73/97 issued 22 May 1997

Arbitrary arrest / legal concern / harassment / prisoner of conscience

(POC) / possible POCs

CUBA

Ana Maria AGRAMONTE CRESPO

Alberto PERERA MARTINEZ

Jesus PEREZ GOMEZ

Lorenzo PESCOSO LEON

Aguileo CANCIO CHONG

Amnesty International has learned that Jesus Perez Gomez, Lorenzo Pescoso Leon and Aguileo Cancio Chong were released without charge on or about 13 June 1997. They had all been arrested in Havana on 1 May 1997.

Alberto Perera Martinez of the Comite Paz, Progreso y Libertad, Committee of Peace, Progress and Liberty, remains in detention at State Security headquarters in Havana known as Villa Marista. Unconfirmed reports indicate that the authorities intend to bring him to trial although the nature of any charge against him is not known. As far as Amnesty International is aware, he has still not been permitted to see a lawyer. Amnesty International believes that he may be a prisoner of conscience, detained solely on account of his peaceful political activities and fears that if brought to trial, he will not be granted full judicial guarantees in accordance with international standards.

Ana Maria Agramonte Crespo, President of the Movimiento Accion Nacionalista, Nationalist Action Movement, remains imprisoned at the Havana Women's Prison, known as 'Manto Negro'. She had been arrested on 1 May 1997 and convicted on charges of 'disrespect' and 'resisting authority' and sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment. Amnesty International believes that she is a prisoner of conscience imprisoned solely for peacefully exercising her rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly and continues to call for her immediate and unconditional release.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/telexes/faxes/express/airmail letters:

- urging that Ana Maria Agramonte Crespo be immediately and unconditionally released, on the grounds that she is a prisoner of conscience, detained solely for peacefully exercising her rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly; - urging that the reasons for the arrest of Alberto Perera Martinez be immediately clarified and that he be immediately released unless charged with a recognizable criminal offence; - urging that as long as he is in detention, he be provided with full judicial guarantees, including immediate access to a lawyer of his choice.

APPEALS TO:

1) Attorney-General:

Dr Juan Escalona Reguera
Fiscal General de la Republica
Fiscalia General de la Republica
San Rafael 3, La Habana, Cuba
Dear Attorney General:

[Telegrams: Fiscal General, Havana, Cuba]
[Telex: 307 511456 fisge]

2) Minister of Foreign Affairs:

Sr Roberto Robaina Gonzalez
Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores
Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores

Calzada No. 360, Vedado, La Habana, Cuba

Dear Minister:
[Telegrams: Ministro Relaciones Exteriores, Havana, Cuba]
[Telex: 307 511122 / 307 511464 / 307 512950]
[Fax: 011 53 7 333085 / 011 53 7 335261]

3) Minister of the Interior:

General Abelardo Colome Ibarra
Ministro de Interior
Ministerio del Interior
Plaza de la Revolucion
La Habana, Cuba

Dear Minister:
[Telegrams: Ministro Interior, Havana, Cuba]

4) Department of State Security:

Sr Director
Departamento de Seguridad del Estado
Villa Marista, La Vibora
La Habana, Cuba

Dear Sir:
[Telegrams: Director, Villa Marista, Havana, Cuba]

COPIES TO:

National Union of Jurists:
Union Nacional de Juristas
Apartado 4161
La Habana 4, Cuba

Editor of Granma (daily newspaper):
Sr Jacinto Granda de Laserna
Granma
Apdo 6260
La Habana, Cuba

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 July 15, 1997.

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