The WiPC of International PEN has been receiving increasingly alarming reports concerning the state of health of writer and political activist Marta Beatriz Roque Cabello. According to these reports, Roque Cabello is suffering from a serious breast condition which may or may not be cancerous, as well as other ailments probably caused or aggravated by […]
The WiPC of International PEN has been receiving increasingly alarming reports concerning the state of health of writer and political activist Marta Beatriz Roque Cabello. According to these reports, Roque Cabello is suffering from a serious breast condition which may or may not be cancerous, as well as other ailments probably caused or aggravated by her imprisonment. There are fears that she is not receiving appropriate medical treatment and that her conditions of detention are very poor. Over the past few months, she has been reportedly transferred several times not only from prison to hospital but also to various “safe houses” in unknown locations. The motive behind this succession of transfers remains unexplained and the continued silence of the authorities serves to increase alarm about Roque Cabelloâs condition.
BACKGROUND:
Roque Cabello is a writer, economist and political activist. She was arrested in July 1997 and is currently serving a three-and-a-half-year prison sentence on charges of “sedition and other acts against state security” for an article, entitled La Patria es de Todos, which she co-authored with Félix Antonio Bonne Carcasses, René Gomez Manzano and Vladimir Roca Antúnez.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
– stating that you consider Roque Cabello and the other three dissidents to be detained in breach of their right to freedom of expression as guaranteed under Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights
– calling for the four prisonersâ immediate and unconditional release
– expressing your concern about the secrecy surrounding Roque Cabelloâs situation, the nature of her illness and the conditions of her detention
– noting that Roque Cabello has served more than half of her three and a half year sentence, and calling upon the Cuban authorities to order her early release on medical grounds
– urging the Cuban authorities to ensure that she receives all necessary medical care while she remains in detention
Appeals To
APPEALS TO:
Fidel Castro Ruz
Presidente de los Consejos de Estado y de Ministros
La Habana, Cuba
Fax: +53 7 33085 (via Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Copy appeals to the Cuban Diplomatic representative in your country and/or to:
Cuban Representation
c/o United Nations Mission
New York, NY
10016, United States
Fax: +1 212 779 1697
If possible contact your own government and ask them to raise this case in their dealings with the Cuban government.
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
