4 women activists in Cuban prisons should be declared prisoners of conscience. By Uncommon Sense.
23-05-2016
4 women activists in Cuban prisons should be declared prisoners of conscience Uncommon Sense May 22, 2016
As part of its overall repressive nature, the Castro dictatorship carries on a vicious war on women, especially those who dare to challenge its rule. Just ask the Damas De Blanco, or "Ladies In White," who each Sunday are targeted by the police and other goons when they try to march as a group to Mass.
Often, Damas who are arrested are released after a few hours. But Martinoticias.com on Sunday reported that two Damas -- Yaquelín Heredia Morales and Marieta Martínez Aguilera, as well as two other activists, Xiomara de las Mercedes Cruz Miranda and Yunet Cairo Reigada -- have been held without trial since they were arrested April 15. All four are members of the Patriotic Union of Cuba, which along with the Damas is one of the more effective opposition groups on the island.
The four were arrested at a Havana park when police tried to search Martinez's purse, and the others came to her defense. They each face charges of "attacking" and "contempt." Heredia also faces a charge of "damages."
An independent lawyers group filed writs of habeas corpus to force the women's release, but they were unsuccessful.
According to the Martinoticias report, UNPACU said the women committed no crime, and that they are being prosecuted only because they were exercising their right to free expression.
As a result, the Cuban Commission on Human Rights and National Reconciliation in early May said the women should be recognized as prisoners of conscience.
Here is a video showing what happened when they were arrested: