CUBA
Cubans make plea to U.S. activist
Wives of jailed Cuban dissidents urged American activist Cindy Sheehan
to visit the island's prisons to see 'inhumane' conditions.
BY VANESSA ARRINGTON
Associated Press
HAVANA - Wives and mothers of Cuban political prisoners urged American
peace activist Cindy Sheehan on Monday to visit the island's state-run
jails during her weeklong trip to Cuba to call for the closure of the
U.S.operated Guantánamo prison.
The Ladies in White, a group of women demanding the release of their
loved ones, described what they called ''inhumane'' conditions at Cuba's
prisons in a letter for Sheehan that was sent to international
reporters. The group said it was trying to get a copy to Sheehan as well.
''At the same time you and your noble followers fight for the closure of
the U.S. prison at the Guantánamo naval base . . . just a few miles away
at the provincial Guantánamo prison in Cuban territory, peaceful and
defenseless political prisoners suffer inhumane conditions, [living]
without potable water and with poor nutrition, deficient medical
assistance, insects and rodents, limited visits and precarious
communication,'' the letter said.
''We exhort you to visit the prisons of Cuba, chosen randomly, and not
those prepared'' by authorities, it added.
Sheehan arrived in Havana on Saturday with a dozen other peace activists
and plans to attend a human rights conference in the city of Guantánamo
on Wednesday. Thursday, the group is to hold a protest outside the U.S.
Navy's Guantánamo Bay base, where nearly 400 men are being held on
suspicion of links to al Qaeda or the Taliban.
The exact location of the protest has not been announced, but it may
possibly be at the Northeast Gate, the crossing between Cuba and the
naval base.
In the letter, the Ladies in White said they are a peaceful group that
faces harassment from Cuban officials. They asked Sheehan to meet them
so she ``could know this other reality of Cuban society.''
Their jailed husbands and sons are among 75 activists rounded up in the
spring of 2003 and sentenced to prison terms ranging from six to 28
years. Sixteen of those prisoners have since been released for health
reasons, but more than 300 human rights activists, independent
journalists and members of outlawed political parties remain behind
bars, rights groups say.
Thursday's protest will coincide with demonstrations around the world to
mark the fifth anniversary of the first prisoners' arrival and demand
that the prison be closed.
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