June 14, 1999

HAVANA, June 11, 1999 (Ulises Cabrera, Agencia Pueblo Libre) – Hundreds of human rights activists and members of the opposition throughout the entire country are joining the fast which demands that the Castroite dictatorship liberate all political prisoners and respect human rights.

This massive fast was initiated this Monday by three opposition leaders: Doctor Oscar Elías Biscet, Rolando Muñoz Yyobre, of the Lawton Foundation for Human Rights (Fundación Lawton de Derechos Humanos ) and William Ernesto Herrera, of the Martian Civic League ( Liga Cívica Martiana) in a house at Tamarindo 34, in Santos Suárez, who affirm that they will maintain this act of protest during 40 days, for the 40 years the dictatorship has been in power. Already on Thursday there were 5 fasters in that home.

The majority of dissident organizations and independent journalists have made public their solidarity with this movement for democracy, and various provinces of the nation have actively joined the fast, in many cases a rotating fast.

Until now, the State Security police have not repressed the activity, although they have maintained a tight vigilance over them. This impassiveness of the authorities is surprising. Always in this type of situation they act against any manifestation of opposition to the regime.

Observers in Havana atribute three possibilities to this inaction of the police: First, a growing political weakness of Castroism and fear of a popular explosion; second, the intervention of moderate and reformist forces in the center of the government; third, preparation for a comprehensive operation by State Security. Regardless, it is evident that this homebound fast does not violate any law nor implies any violence, but because in Cuba does not exist a rule of law, anything can happen.

Translated by the Free Cuba Foundation

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