AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
URGENT ACTION APPEAL

UA 200/97 Prisoner of conscience 7 July 1997

CUBA Hector PERAZA LINARES, journalist for Habana Press

Hector Peraza Linares, a journalist working for the independent press agency Habana Press, was arrested on 23 June 1997 and remains in detention at State Security headquarters in Pinar del Rio.

He is reportedly being held in a cell with no windows and not permitted any exercise. He has so far not had access to a lawyer, raising fears that he may be facing psychological pressures to implicate himself or sign a 'confession', as commonly occurs to political detainees in Cuba during the initial days or weeks in custody.

As far as Amnesty International is aware, he has not been charged and no reason has been given for his detention. The organization believes that he has been imprisoned solely for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression.

Hector Peraza was arrested with his wife by State Security agents in Pinar del Rio. His home was reportedly searched and several items were confiscated, including a tape recorder, typewriter, computer, books and papers. His wife was released later the same day. On 27 June Hector Peraza was reportedly taken by police to the home of his previous wife where a search was carried out and some money was confiscated. On 5 July, his mother was permitted to visit him and was told that he should appoint a lawyer. He had reportedly frequently violated a police order of 'destierro' ('banishment'), which limited him to staying in Pinar del Rio. This is a fairly new tactic of the Cuban Government to which several independent journalists have been subjected because of their journalistic activities.

Prior to this arrest Hector Peraza has been harassed or detained on several occasions. In July 1995 he was detained and questioned and had his home searched. He was released shortly afterwards without charge. On 10 October 1995 he was summoned by police in the town of Quivican, Havana province, and forced to sign an 'official warning' by which he was given 10 days to stop working with Habana Press and find another job or be charged with 'dangerousness'.On 23 February 1996 Hector Peraza was again arrested and released after a few days and sent back to his home province of Pinar del Rio with a warning not to leave his home.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

All media in Cuba are state-controlled and freedom of expression, association and assembly are severely limited. In recent years a number of independent press agencies have emerged in an attempt to challenge the state monopoly on news but in the face of the restrictions are only able to disseminate their reports outside Cuba. Many journalists working for such agencies suffer frequent harassment, short-term detention and threats that they will be imprisoned if they do not cease their activities or leave the country. Others have been tried and sentenced and have become prisoners of conscience.

In May 1996 Rafael Solano, the director of Habana Press, which he founded in mid-1995, went to Spain, having been effectively expelled from Cuba by the Cuban Government. Prior to his forcible exile, Rafael Solano had been detained at least six times and warned that he would be imprisoned if he did not cease his journalistic activities or

leave the country. Joaquin Torres Alvarez, who took over the presidency of Habana Press when Rafael Solano was forced into exile, has also frequently been harassed and threatened with imprisonment. Most recently, on 31 May 1997, he was reportedly assaulted by individuals believed to be working for the Department of State Security.

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

expressing concern at the reported arrest of Hector Peraza Linares, a journalist working for Habana Press; - urging that he be immediately and unconditionally released, on the grounds that he is a prisoner of conscience, detained solely for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression; - 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. - urging that members of Habana Press and other freelance journalists be permitted to carry out their legitimate peaceful activities without interference from the authorities.

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

Pinar del Rio, Cuba

Dear Sir:

[Telegrams: Director, Seguridad del Estado, Pinar del Rio, Cuba]

COPIES TO:

Cuban Journalists Union (official body)

Union de Periodistas de Cuba

Calle 23 No. 452

Apartado 6656

Vedado

La Habana, 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 August 18, 1997.