Trial of Cuban Pastor set for 4 December

Trial of Cuban Pastor set for 4 December
2006-12-04 Press Office at Christian Solidarity Worldwide
Religión en Revolucion

Urgent action.
1 December 2006. - A Protestant Cuban pastor, imprisoned for four months
earlier this year, will go on trial in Havana on Monday 4 December.
Pastor Carlos Lamelas* is being charged with "Human Trafficking";
however, observers believe he is being targeted for his outspoken calls
for increased religious liberty in Cuba. The public prosecutor is asking
that he be sentenced to nine years in prison.

Pastor Lamelas, the former president of the Church of God denomination,
a member of the Cuban Council of Churches (CCC), has stated that he and
his lawyer believe he will be found innocent of the charges because of a
lack of evidence on the part of the State. However, they expressed
concern that the public prosecutor is using Pastor Lamelas's application
to leave the country, which he made following his four month
imprisonment, as evidence against him.

Cubans who speak out on issues of human rights are often targeted and
scores have been arrested since a massive crackdown in 2003, when over
75 activists across the country were arrested and given prison sentences
of up to 25 years. This case is unusual; however, as thus far the Cuban
government has not targeted religious leaders for imprisonment. It is
particularly noteworthy because of the fact that Lamelas's denomination
belongs to the CCC which historically has enjoyed close ties with the
Cuban regime.

This case appears to be part of a wider move to restrict religious
freedom across the country. A number of pastors and priests have
reported increased government harassment and some have reported the
forcible closure or destruction of church buildings. At least one other
church leader, also from a denomination belonging to the CCC, was forced
to flee the country this summer and has applied for asylum in Europe.

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of CSW, said "We call on the Cuban
government to drop these charges against Pastor Lamelas and to allow him
to lead a normal life with his family, free from harassment. We hope
that the international community will pay close attention to this
process and if the trial goes forward that the various European
embassies in that country will request the right to attend and observe
the process. Our prayers are with Pastor Lamelas and his family during
this difficult time."

*Photo: Pastor Carlos Lamelas, your wife and daughter.

For more information, please contact the Press Office at Christian
Solidarity Worldwide on 020 8329 0045, email pennyhollings@csw.org.uk or
visit www.csw.org.uk.
CSW is a human rights organization which specializes in religious
freedom, works on behalf of those persecuted for their Christian beliefs
and promotes religious liberty for all.

http://www.miscelaneasdecuba.net/web/article.asp?artID=7996