From: Andrew Lang <lang@igc.apc.org>
Subject: AI UA392/92 CUBA Ill-treatment
Followup-To: alt.activism.d
Originator: daemon@pencil.cs.missouri.edu
Organization: ?
Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1992 02:04:26 GMT

/* Written  4:09 pm  Dec 15, 1992 by hrcoord@igc.apc.org in igc:carnet.alerts */
/* ---------- "AI UA392/92 CUBA Ill-treatment" ---------- */
/* Written  6:41 pm  Dec 14, 1992 by gn:rmitchellai in igc:ai.uan */
/* ---------- "AI UA392/92 CUBA Ill-treatment" ---------- */
EXTERNAL (for general distribution) AI Index: AMR 25/30/92
                                    Distr: UA/SC       
 
UA 392/92   Ill-treatment/          14 December 1992
            Legal Concern
 
CUBA:       Elizardo SANCHEZ SANTA CRUZ ) human rights
            Rodolfo GONZALEZ            ) activists
 
 Amnesty International is seriously concerned about the arrest of the
above two human rights activists on 10 December 1992 (the
anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights) and the
reported severe beating of Elizardo Sanchez Santa Cruz by state
security officials at the time of his arrest.
 
Elizardo Sanchez, former professor of philosophy at Havana University,
is President of the Comision Cubana de Derechos Humanos y
Reconciliacion Nacional (CCDHRN), Cuban Commission for Human
Rights and National Reconciliation.  According to reports received by
Amnesty International, state security agents broke into a house
Elizardo Sanchez was visiting in the Nuevo Vedado neighbourhood of
Havana on 10 December 1992. After ransacking and destroying much
of the contents of the house, the security agents beat Elizardo Sanchez
to the point that he virtually lost consciousness. He was then taken by
the same state security agents to the Carlos J. Finlay military hospital
in Havana. Following his arrest, an "act of repudiation" (acto de
repudio) was carried out at his family home by a large group of
people who chanted pro-government slogans and threw stones at the
house. Such acts, which have become frequent in recent months are
known in many cases to involve the so-called Destacamentos Populares
de Respuesta Rapida, People's Rapid Response Detachments, acting in
coordination with the security forces and Communist Party
organizations.
 
The following day Elizardo Sanchez' relatives were allowed to visit him
in hospital and confirmed that his face was badly bruised. On
Saturday, 12 December, Elizardo Sanchez was reportedly transferred to
the Departamento Tecnico de Investigaciones, (DTI), the police
Technical Investigations Department in Havana. His sister was told by
state security agents that he was to be held "pending investigations".
Elizardo Sanchez has been detained and imprisoned on a number of
occasions in the past for his human rights activities.
 
Rodolfo Gonzalez, member of the Comite Cubano Pro Derechos
Humanos, (CCPDH), Cuban Committee for Human Rights, was
reportedly arrested by state security police after a search of his home
in Havana. It is believed he may also be held in the Technical
Investigations Department. Several other human rights activists suffered
harassment, threats or were physically attacked by hostile crowds in the
street on 10 December.
 
Amnesty International believes that Elizardo Sanchez Santa Cruz and
Rodolfo Gonzalez are prisoners of conscience detained solely on
account of their peaceful human rights activities and political views.
Both the CCPDH and the CCDHRN have consistently dissociated
themselves for the use of violence in order to bring about political
change and greater respect for human rights in Cuba.    
 
RECOMMENDED ACTION:  Please send
telegrams/telexes/faxes/express and airmail letters either in Spanish,
English or in your own language:
 
- urging the immediate and unconditional release of Elizardo Sanchez
Santa Cruz and Rodolfo Gonzalez on the grounds that they are
prisoners of conscience detained solely on account of their legitimate
and peaceful activities;
 
- expressing concern at the reported ill-treatment of Elizardo Sanchez
Santa Cruz at the time of his arrest;
 
- requesting that there be a thorough and impartial investigation into
the reported ill-treatment and that those found responsible be brought
to justice;
 
- urging the Cuban authorities to take all necessary steps to ensure
that human rights defenders are able to carry out their peaceful and
legitimate activities without fear of reprisals.
 
APPEALS TO:
 
President:
 
Su Excelencia Dr Fidel Castro Ruz
[Salutation: Su Excelencia / Your Excellency]
Presidente del Consejo de Estado
Ciudad de Habana, Cuba
Telegrams:  Presidente Castro, Havana, Cuba
Telexes:    511122 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
 
Attorney General:
 
Dr Ramon de la Cruz Ochoa
[Salutation: Senor Fiscal General / Dear Attorney General]
Fiscal General de la Republica
Fiscalia General de la Republica
San Rafael 3, Ciudad de la Habana, Cuba
Telegrams:  Fiscal General, Havana, Cuba
Telexes:    511456 FISGE
 
Minister of Justice:
 
Dr Carlos Amat Fores
[Salutation: Senor Ministro / Dear Minister]
Ministro de Justicia
Ministerio de Justicia
Calle O No 216, 8vo Piso
e/ 23 y Humboldt, Vedado
Ciudad de la Habana, Cuba
Telegrams: Ministro Justicia, Havana, Cuba
Telexes:   511331 MINJU CU  
 
President of the People's Supreme Court:
 
Dr Jose Raul Amaro Salup
[Salutation: Senor Presidente / Dear President]
Presidente del Tribunal Supremo Popular
Ciudad de la Habana, Cuba
Telegrams: Presidente Tribunal Supremo Popular, Havana, Cuba
Telexes:   511457 TSUPO
 
PLEASE SEND COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO:
 
Coordinating Body of Human Rights Organizations in Cuba:
 
CODEHU
1040 S.W. 27 Ave. Miami, FL 33135
USA
 
and to the diplomatic representative in your country - please see the
responses to this topic for details.
 
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY.  Please do not send
appeals after 25 January 1993.     
Newsgroups: misc.activism.progressive