**Updates IFEX alerts of 18 February and 19 January 2000, 12 and 2 March 1999** (PEN Canada/IFEX) – The following is a 25 February 2000 PEN Canada letter to Cuban President Fidel Castro requesting further information about the state of detained writer Marta Beatriz Roque Cabello’s health, and seeking assurance that while in detention, she […]
**Updates IFEX alerts of 18 February and 19 January 2000, 12 and 2 March 1999**
(PEN Canada/IFEX) – The following is a 25 February 2000 PEN Canada letter to Cuban President Fidel Castro requesting further information about the state of detained writer Marta Beatriz Roque Cabello’s health, and seeking assurance that while in detention, she receives adequate treatment and the allowance of regular visits without interference.
In response to recent reports of the writer’s deteriorating health, PEN Canada also appeals to IFEX members and supporters worldwide to write to President Castro and to the Cuban embassy in your country, and join in the campaign to support Roque Cabello:
February 25, 2000
His Excellency Fidel Castro
Presidente del Consejo de Estado y de Ministros
La Habana, Cuba
Fax: c/o Minister of Foreign Affairs
011 53 7 333 085/335 261
Excellency,
PEN Canada, the Canadian centre of International PEN, the world association of writers representing members in 94 countries, is seeking further information about the current situation of writer, economist and political activist Marta Beatriz Roque Cabello.
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.
Reportedly, in July 1999 Marta Beatriz Roque Cabello was transferred from prison to the Carlos J. Finlay military hospital. The reason for the transfer is not known, although there are reports that she may be suffering from advanced breast cancer, 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 from prison to the hospital and 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 her condition.
PEN Canada is deeply concerned about the secrecy involving Marta Beatriz Roque Cabello’s situation, the nature of her illness and the conditions of her detention. We respectfully request further information about the state of Marta Beatriz Roque Cabello’s health and seek assurance that while in detention, she receives adequate treatment and the allowance of regular visits without interference.
Your comments on this matter would be gratefully received.
Sincerely,
Isobel Harry
Executive Director, International
cc: His Excellency Dr. Escalona Reguera, Attorney General
His Excellency Felipe Perez Roque, Minister of Foreign Affairs
His Excellency Carlos de Cossio, Ambassador
His Excellency Keith Christie, Ambassador
The Honourable Lloyd Axworthy, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Russell Stubbert, Deputy Director, Central America & Cuba
Mr. Justin Robertson, Desk Officer-Cuba
Recommended Action
Appeals To
Similar appeals can be sent to:His Excellency Fidel Castro
Presidente del Consejo de Estado y de Ministros
La Habana, Cuba
Fax: c/o Minister of Foreign Affairs
+53 7 333 085 / 335 261His Excellency Sr. Eliecer Perez, Fiscalia General de La Republica
Fax: +53 7 57 0795Appeals should also be sent to embassies or diplomatic missions in your country. In Canada, copy appeals to:
His Excellency Carlos de Cossio, Ambassador
Embassy of the Republic of Cuba
388 Main St.
Ottawa, Ontario K1S 1E3
Fax: +613 563 0068His Excellency Keith Christie, Ambassador
Fax: +53 7 242 044Mr. Russell Stubbert, Deputy Director, Central America & Cuba
Fax: +613 944 0760Mr. Justin Robertson, Desk Officer, Cuba
Fax: +613 944 0760The Honourable Lloyd Axworthy, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Fax: +613 996 3443Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
