He was told that unless he stopped his activities, he would face a longer arrest. On December 17th 1999 four dissidents were arrested while marching from Santiago de las Vegas to the sanctuary El Rinc n. About 30 persons who participated in the demonstration as dissidents or independent journalists were arrested. Francisco Chaviano Gonz lez was said to have been beaten in his face on August 30 th 1999, because he protested against not being allowed to exercise in his cell. Political prisoners share a cell together with common prisoners and are not recognised as political prisoners.
Prisoners face physical, psychological and sexual abuse.
E.g. by telling them that their food is poisoned the prison authorities create a state of fright. Ant nez protests against his imprisonment. He undertook hunger strikes, protested against shortage of water, the shortage of medical supplies or the denial of religious attendance . Following his protests he was temporarily held in a punishment cell. Most prisoners suffer malnourishment, lack of medical attention, long period in isolation cells.