By ANITA SNOW | The Associated Press
March 19, 2008
HAVANA - International human rights and journalism advocacy groups
called Tuesday on President Raul Castro's government to free critics
still serving long sentences five years after a broad crackdown that
landed 75 people behind bars.
"It is time for Cuba to release these prisoners immediately and without
conditions," said Matt Easton, of the New York-based Human Rights First,
in a news release. "The world is waiting to see whether Cuba is really
ready for change, or only going through the motions."
The Committee to Protect Journalists focused on the 20 independent
journalists among the 55 still held. Carlos Lauria, committee
representative for the Americas, called for the journalists' release
during a news conference in Madrid, attended by Cuban writer Raul Rivero.
Rivero was among 16 people in the original group of 75 who were released
early on medical parole. Another four in the group were released into
forced exile in Spain last month.
Cuban officials defended the March 18, 2003, crackdown, saying they
needed to protect the nation from "mercenaries." The 75 were later tried
and sentenced to prison terms of up to 28 years. The activists were
accused of working with the United States to undermine Castro's
government, charges they denied.
Since Raul Castro assumed the presidency from his ailing brother Fidel,
81, last month, Cuba has signed two international treaties on civil and
political rights and the number of political prisoners counted by human
rights groups has edged lower.
"Cuba's decision to commit publicly to human rights principles is
welcome, but the continued imprisonment of these activists says much
more about Cuba's intentions than the signing of any documents," Easton
said.
The U.S. State Department issued its own call for the release of all
prisoners of conscience on the island. "The Cuban people deserve real
change and the opportunity to join a dialogue about their country's
future free from fear," said deputy spokesman Tom Casey.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/cuba/sfl-flacuba0319sbmar19,0,6819432.story
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