HAVANA, Cuba.- Through a recent statement, the Trade Union Democratic Alternative of the Americas (ADS) has condemned the arbitrary detentions of its members and the serious accusations against them. The appeal categorically rejects the constant harassment, repression and accusations by the Havana regime of seven members of its affiliated Independent Trade Union Association of Cuba (ASIC), who last week were illegally arrested and targeted for accusations that lacerate their dignity and physical integrity.
In a letter addressed on February 9 to the Director General of the International Labor Organization (ILO), Mr. Gilbert F. Houngbo, the senior official was informed that the Cuban political police, in addition to insisting on their threats, are seeking involving ASIC activists in an alleged attempt to poison the waters of day care centers, a crime that, according to State Security agents, “is under investigation.”
On several occasions, the independent trade union entity has denounced before international organizations the relentless persecution and smear campaigns articulated by the Cuban authorities, despite the fact that ASIC has requested to be legally recognized and that its members be allowed to carry out their union work.
The organization expressed solidarity with the harassed activists (Luis Orlando León Randich, Ulises González, Emilio Alberto Gottardi Gottardi, Leonardo Hernández Camejo, Yaquelin Dalis Caballero, Felipe Carrera Hernández, Reinaldo Cosano Alén) and its general secretary, Ivan Hernandez Carrillowho has received insistent threats that point to the possible fabrication, by State Security, of any crime that would allow him to be imprisoned to serve a pending sentence of sixteen years for his opposition to the dictatorship.
The ASIC concluded the letter reiterating its concern for the danger that its members and leaders run in the face of a regime that seeks to annihilate all traces of independent trade unionism.
