AI Index: AMR 25/08/98

This is a limited action. Please restrict appeals to 25 per Section.

4 March 1998

Further information on EXTRA 139/97 (AMR 25/37/97, 17 October 1997) and follow-ups (AMR 25/38/97, 21
October, AMR 25/39/97, 30 October, AMR 25/42/97, 24 November, and AMR 25/46/97, 18 December)
Prisoners of Conscience / Possible POCs / Legal Concern / Hunger Strike

CUBA

Daula CARPIO MATA (f)
José Antonio ALVARADO ALMEIDA (m)
Lilián MENESES MARTINEZ (f)
Ileana PEñALVER DUQUE (f)
Danilo SANTOS MENDEZ (m)
Iván LEMA ROMERO (m)
José Manuel LLERA BENITEZ (m) [correction: previously José Miguel Llera Martínez]
Roxanna Alina CARPIO MATA (f), sister of Daula Carpio Mata
Vicente GARCIA RAMOS (m),
All members of the unofficial Partido Pro Derechos Humanos en Cuba (PPDHC), Party for Human Rights in Cuba

Amnesty International continues to urge for the convictions of the above nine PPDHC members to be quashed, and for those still in detention to be immediately and unconditionally released, on the grounds that they were convicted solely on account of their peaceful political activities.

On 5 February 1998, Daula Carpio Mata, JoséManuel Llera Benítez, JoséAntonio Alvarado Almeida, Iván Lema Romero, Lilián Meneses Martínez and Ileana Peñalver Duque gave up their fast, which began on 9 October 1997, and were taken to a civilian hospital to recuperate.

Following discussions with the authorities, the six said they had agreed to stop fasting and leave Cuba if they were released, and if no further action was taken against others who had fasted with them or supported their action. Relatives of the six have reportedly tried to obtain visas for the PPDHC members to travel to another country. The Cuban authorities have made no public comment about their current situation.

However, since 24 February, three of the six have been returned to prison and another has been transferred to a psychiatric hospital. Two others have been sent home and told to report to a work centre to carry out their sentences of “correctional work all six are said to have commenced a full hunger strike in protest at the new action against them. The current situation of each PPDHC member is as follows:

Daula Carpio Mata was reportedly transferred to Guajamal Women’s Prison on 24 February. She is said to be held in a punishment cell and on hunger strike.

JoséAntonio Alvarado Almeida was reportedly transferred on 25 February to the Villa Clara provincial psychiatric hospital and is believed to be on hunger strike. He is also said to have been diagnosed as a catatonic schizophrenic, although relatives claim he has no history of mental illness.

Lilián Meneses Martínez and Ileana Peñalver Duque were discharged from San Juan de Dios Hospital in Villa Clara on 25 February. They were told to report at a work centre on 4 March to begin their sentences of 18 months’ “correctional work w ithout internment”, despite reports that their health is still poor. They are also said to be on hunger strike.

Danilo Santos Méndez, who stopped his fast after 40-50 days, is reportedly not in prison. It is unclear under what conditions he has been released.

Iván Lema Romero was reportedly transferred to “El Pre”, Villa Clara Provincial Prison, on 25 February, after being told he was going to the dentist. He is reportedly still very weak and can only walk with the aid of a stick. He is understood to be o n hunger strike.

JoséManuel Llera Benítez was returned to prison on 25 February and is said to be on hunger strike. He is believed to be in Villa Clara Provincial Prison.

Roxana Carpio Mata, who is pregnant, was conditionally released and is at home. She could be returned to prison if she breaks the conditions of her release.

Vicente García Ramos, who gave up his fast some time ago, is now serving his sentence in Sancti Spiritus Provincial Prison. He was sentenced to “correctional work with internment” for one year (not 18 months as reported earlier).

FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/telexes/faxes/express/ airmail letters in Spanish, English or your own language:

- continuing to urge that the convictions of all nine PPDHC members be quashed and that, if not already at liberty, they be released immediately on the grounds that they were convicted solely because of their peaceful political activities;
- requesting that no conditions, such as a requirement that they leave the country, be imposed on the lifting of the sanctions against them;
- requesting that those in custody and on hunger strike or who are still suffering the effects of their earlier fast be granted any necessary medical attention and that they not be subjected to forced feeding.

APPEALS TO:

1) Minister of the Interior
General Abelardo ColoméIbarra
Ministro del Interior, Ministerio del Interior
Plaza de la Revolución, La Habana, Cuba
Telegrams: Ministro Interior, Havana, Cuba
Faxes: + 53 7 33 5261 (attn: Ministro del Interior)
Salutation: Señor Ministro / Dear Minister

2) Minister of Foreign Affairs
Sr Roberto Robaina González, Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores, Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores
Calzada No. 360, Vedado, La Habana, Cuba
Telegrams: Ministro Relaciones Exteriores, Havana, Cuba
Telexes: 511122 / 511464 / 512950
Faxes: +53 7 333085/ 333460/ 333261
Salutation: Señor Ministro / Dear Minister

3) Attorney-General
Dr Juan Escalona Reguera, Fiscal General de la República, Fiscalía General de la República
San Rafael 3, La Habana, Cuba
Telegrams: Fiscal General, Havana, Cuba
Telexes: 511456 fisge
Salutation: Sr Fiscal General / Dear Attorney General

COPIES TO:

1) Cuban Journalists Union (official body)
Union de Periodistas de Cuba, Calle 23 No. 452,
Apartado 6646, Vedado, Havana, Cuba

2) Editor of Granma (daily newspaper)
Sr Jacinto Granda de Laserna, Granma,
Apdo 6260, La Habana, Cuba
and to diplomatic representatives of Cuba accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 15 April 1998.