Published: 12/03/86
Section: FRONT
Page: 22A
Cuba's only independent human rights group -- many of its members jailed and its leader sheltered by the French Embassy in Havana -- set up a Miami-based U.S. chapter Tuesday to press for civil liberties and the release of political prisoners on the island nation.
"We feel that it's important to let our fellow citizens understand the (committee's) objectives," said Maria Elena Bofill, whose husband Ricardo formed the committee in 1976.
Bofill, the committee's president and a former University of Havana official, sought refuge in the French Embassy three months ago after several committee members were imprisoned. Bofill earlier had served three prison terms.
Cuban authorities have refused to grant him safe conduct out of the country.
Five committee members joined Mrs. Bofill at the Washington news conference to announce the formation of the U.S. chapter of the Pro-Human Rights Committee of Cuba.
They estimated that there are about 200 committee members in Cuba, 12 of whom are in prison. Members stressed that the top officials of the committee will still be based in Cuba.
The committee's objectives are to to denounce and document the Cuban government's violations of human rights, gain freedom for Cuban political prisoners and end massive arrests.
Aryeh Neier, vice chairman of Americas Watch, a watchdog human rights group, endorsed the new chapter and denounced the Cuban government.
"We feel that the Cuban government must be condemned for its abuses of human rights," said Neier. "There is no way to prevent human rights abuses unless citizens are free to act together."
© 1996 The Miami Herald.