1.4.2003 10:23 MSK
Cuban opposition unites
Leaders of Cuban dissident groups have issued a joint declaration in Havana in response to the current campaign of mass arrests across the country. The statement is signed by a number of people representing various points of view on the future of Cuba. The dissidents state that they are standing by the declaration of 9 March in which they called on the European Union not to conclude an agreement of economic partnership with Cuba. They oppose this proposal on the grounds that one of the conditions of the agreement was a demand for a significant shift to democracy. However, there have been no such changes on the island. We are here publishing the text of the statement, as translated by PRIMA.
Emergency declaration
We, the undersigned, have decided to issue this urgent joint declaration in response to the critical situation which has arisen in our homeland as a result of the campaign of repression unleashed by the totalitarian regime in recent days.
1. We confirm our united position, as expressed in our joint statement of 9 March 2003, the result of our collective efforts over recent months.
2. We condemn the wave of repression which has been unleashed by the present government of Cuba since 18 March, in the course of which there have been gross violations of universally recognised human rights.
3. We demand the immediate release from prison of Marta Beatriz Roque Cabello and more than 75 other citizens who have been arrested during this campaign of repression, and whom we consider to be prisoners of conscience.
4. We repeat our earlier demand for the release from prison of Oscar Elias Bisset and other political prisoners, who were deprived of their freedom before the start of this campaign of repression.
5. We note that many of those people who signed the joint statement of 9 March along with us, have not signed this one. In most cases they are unable to do so because they are in prison. We were unable to locate other people because of the urgency of the declaration.
6. This document may be signed by all organisations and individuals who wish to do so.
Havana, 31 March 2003
Gustavo Arcos Bernes, Felix Bonne Carcasses, Rene Gomez Manzano, Vladimiro Roca Antunez, Elizardo Sanchez Santa Cruz
Gustavo Arcoz is a veteran of the Cuban opposition movement and was imprisoned on political grounds under the regimes of Batista and Castro.
Felix Bonne is a university professor specializing in automation. He was formerly a political prisoner and is co-author of a manifesto entitled “The Fatherland belongs to us all.” He is now one of the leaders of the Cuban Assembly for Civil Society.
Rene Gomez Manzano is a lawyer and head of the independent association of Cuban lawyers. He was formerly a political prisoner and is co-author of “The Fatherland belongs to us all.” He is now one of the leaders of the Cuban Assembly for Civil Society.
Vladimiro Roca is a former military pilot. He was formerly a political prisoner and is co-author of the “Fatherland belongs to us all” manifesto. He is now leader of the “All United” dissident movement.
Elizardo Sanchez Santa Cruz is a former political prisoner and head of the Cuban Commission for Human Rights and National Reconciliation.
translated by Eona Bell
Declaration by Cuban dissidents
