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Monday, October 17, 2005

Sakharov nominee: Cuban women who protest against unjust imprisonment

Institutions - 17-10-2005 - 14:02

Sakharov nominee: Cuban women who protest against unjust imprisonment

The arrest of political dissidents in 2003 continues to cast a shadow over
Cuba. Most of the 75 men detained are still in jail - imprisoned for
criticising the lack of political freedom in the country. However, the
attempt to silence them has failed as their wives and daughters have brought
international attention to the issue by their peaceful protests every
Sunday.

They call themselves the "Ladies in White" ("Damas de blanco") and were
formed in early 2004. By wearing white to symbolise innocence and purity
they echo Argentine women in the 1970's who used a similar tactic to demand
information about their missing children during the military dictatorship.

The European Union's relations with Cuba have been severely strained by the
arrest of the dissidents. In April 2004 the European Parliament passed a
resolution in support of the imprisoned men. It called for the men to be
released and said their arrest "constituted a breach of the most elementary
human rights, especially as regards freedom of expression and political
association". It went on to demand that the Cuban government "make
significant changes with a view to moving towards full respect for
fundamental freedoms". EU government ministers also issued a statement
declaring that Cuba's actions were "deplorable".

A series of sanctions were introduced which effectively cut government ties
between Cuba and the EU. Since January this year however, sanctions have
been suspended and contacts resumed as the Europe tries to use its "soft
power" of economic and political persuasion to alleviate the situation in
Cuba - a country heavily dependent on tourism and where 20% of the
population live in poverty.

The ladies in white continue to campaign despite attempts to silence them.
The most serious attack on them was March 20 2004 - Palm Sunday - when they
were assaulted and insulted by members of the official Cuban Woman's
Federation.

International support for their cause has been extensive. Their nomination
for the European Parliament's Sakharov prize for freedom of thought
recognises their courage and commitment to the cause of human rights in
Cuba. The group have also been backed by the International Committee for
Democracy in Cuba (ICDC), whose founder, former Czech President Vaclav
Havel, recently delivered a letter to the Ibero-American summit calling on
them to hold Cuba to earlier declarations on human rights.

REF.: 20051017STO01514

http://www.europarl.eu.int/news/public/story_page/008-1515-293-10-42-901-20051017STO01514-2005-20-10-2005/default_en.htm

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