Thousands gathered for the orchestrated protest About 100,000 people have demonstrated in the Cuban capital, Havana, against the latest UN condemnation of the island's human rights record. The United Nations Commission on Human Rights accused Cuba of repressing religious groups and political dissenters. The demonstrators marched past the embassy of the Czech Republic, which sponsored the resolution, backed by Poland.
Correspondents say the government bussed in schoolchildren and factory workers to take part.
Marchers denounced the former communist states as lackeys of Washington. The route also took the protesters close to the home of one of Cuba's best-known dissidents, who has been in jail for the past three years for organising peaceful opposition to the government. Human rights groups on the island have accused the government of a crackdown against dissidents over the last four months. Cuban President Fidel Castro has said there is no internal opposition to his rule, except for that paid for and organised by the United States. Close result The UN commission passed the motion 21-18.