IYDU Chairman, Tim Dier, makes a statement in response to the sixth anniversary of 78 members of Cuban civil society, including human rights defenders, independent journalists, and peaceful democracy activists, being unjustly detained.
Recalling that on March 18th, 2003, 78 members of Cuban civil society, including human rights defenders, independent journalists, and peaceful democracy activists, were unjustly detained and 75 of them were sentenced to harsh prison terms after summary trials,
Recognizing that the 75 prisoners of the March 18th crackdown joined hundreds of other Cubans imprisoned solely on account of their beliefs,
Recalling that the International Young Democrat Union (IYDU) resolved to stand in solidarity with Cuban political prisoners during its 2008 Council Meeting,
The IYDU
Calls upon the Cuban government to release all political prisoners immediately and unconditionally,
Salutes Cuban civil society, human rights defenders, independent journalists, and peaceful democracy activists as they continue their 50 year Resistance effort to live under free, constitutional, and democratic government.
***Here are excerpts from the reports and links to the complete reports demanding their immediate release:
THE INTER-AMERICAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS REITERATES THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE STATE OF CUBA:
1. Order the immediate and unconditional release of the victims in this case, while overturning their convictions inasmuch as they were based on laws that impose unlawful restrictions on their human rights.
2. Adopt the measures necessary to adapt its laws, procedures and practices to international human rights laws. In particular, the Commission is recommending to the Cuban State that it repeal Law No. 88 and Article 91 of its Criminal Code, and that it initiate a process to amend its Constitution to ensure the independence of the judicial branch of government and the right to participate in government.
4. Redress the victims and their next of kin for the pecuniary and non-pecuniary damages suffered as a result of the violations of the American Declaration herein established.
5. Adopt the measures necessary to prevent a recurrence of similar acts, in keeping with the State’s duty to respect and ensure human rights.
From REPORT Nº 67/06 CASE 12.476 OSCAR ELÍAS BISCET ET AL. vs CUBA
October 21, 2006
http://www.cidh.oas.org/annualrep/2006eng/CUBA.12476eng.htm
