The non-governmental organization Amnesty International (AI) has made publish an open letter to Miguel Díaz-Canel in the framework of the second anniversary of the arrest of Maykel osorbo Castillo, which occurred on May 18, 2021. The date serves the NGO to remind the Cuban authorities of the rights of imprisoned people and reiterate their demand for their release.
Amnesty International named the rapper and member of the San Isidro Movement a prisoner of conscience in August 2021, along with his colleague Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara and the leader of the Patriotic Union of Cuba, José Daniel Ferrer. The three have been incarcerated since that same year and their election is “a symbolic gesture of the many detainees who would deserve this designation,” the letter states. In AI’s opinion, his release must be immediate and unconditional since his deprivation occurs “solely as a result of the exercise of his human rights and because of his convictions.”
The organization recalls that in Cuba the human rights situation “continues to deteriorate” and takes the figures from Justice 11J as a reference to conclude that 768 of the 1,812 people who were arrested for demonstrating against the Government in those protests are still in prison.
In addition, it points out that the new Criminal Code may “further consolidate restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly, and presents a terrifying panorama for journalists”
In addition, it points out that the new Criminal Code, in force since December 1, can “further consolidate restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly, and presents a terrifying panorama for independent journalists, activists and anyone critical of the authorities. “. Among the latest facts that highlight the situation on the Island, AI cites the case of Caimanera, where five people will be brought to trial for public disorder after being identified as participants in an anti-government protest on Saturday, May 6 in that Guantanamo town.
After clearly remarking that the Cuban State repeatedly refuses to respond to AI’s request to visit the country, the NGO recalls that “the State must guarantee public access to any or all hearings of a criminal case and they can only be restricted in a limited number of specific and clearly defined circumstances”.
The letter focuses on four demands addressed to the ruler, all of them illustrated with the cases of prisoners of conscience representing hundreds of people, the first two demand to protect the physical and mental integrity of the incarcerated, as well as their health and well-being.
According to the balance made by the organization, Osorbo, who remains at 5 y Medio (Pinar del Río), is constantly threatened by other prisoners without anyone doing anything effective to remedy it, beyond subjecting him to a video surveillance camera control that violates your privacy. Since the last month, they warn, he has had frequent headaches and joint pain, as well as fever.
For his part, José Daniel Ferrer, confined in Mar Verde (Santiago de Cuba) has denounced torture by his jailers and confinement in a punishment cell, half-naked. His ailments range from toothaches and headaches to gastritis and an ulcer, without missing vision problems, skin problems and ringing in the ears, among other things. Although he is the oldest among the three, he is only 52 years old.
Finally, Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, imprisoned in Guanajay (Artemisa), has circulatory and vision problems, a dislocated knee, and, like everyone else, has lost a lot of weight.
Another essential point of the letter requires respect for communications and visits, a right particularly violated in the case of Ferrer
“The United Nations Committee against Torture has already expressed its concern about the situation of overcrowding, unsanitary and lack of ventilation, deficient medical care, malnutrition, insufficient provision of drinking water and medicines in Cuban prisons,” the letter added.
Another essential point of the letter requires respect for communications and visits, a right particularly violated in the case of Ferrer. The Unpacu leader has been in solitary confinement since August 14, 2021 and incommunicado since March 17. “In some circumstances, both prolonged isolation and incommunicado detention may in themselves constitute forms of torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment,” AI stresses, demanding the immediate cessation of this situation.
Lastly, the NGO calls on the Cuban government to stop putting pressure on certain prisoners to force them to leave the island, since all people who are arbitrarily detained should, of course, have the right to leave their country, remain in it or return. voluntarily. AI points out that both Otero Alcántara and Osorbo want to leave Cuba and considers that both should have the right to do so, while, on the contrary, Ferrer opposes the exile that they have offered him in exchange for his release, “which would mean a arbitrary punishment and a violation of their human rights”.
The letter ends by urgently asking the authorities to comply with their international commitments and the treaties they have signed. “We hope that Maykel, Luis Manuel, José Daniel and all the people unjustly imprisoned in Cuba can immediately recover their freedom and be treated with dignity and respect,” he concludes.
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