Cuba 'releases jailed dissidents'
At least seven dissidents have been released from jail in Cuba, human
rights groups have said.
Dissident sources said one, Jorge Luis Garcia - a long-time critic of
Fidel Castro's government - was freed after serving a 17-year sentence.
Six others were also freed after serving about two years, sources said.
The reported releases coincide with the sentencing to jail in Cuba of
two more critics - one to 12 years and another to four, rights groups said.
'Social dangerousness'
The BBC's Stephen Gibbs in Havana says the last few days appear to have
seen some notable movement on the part of the Cuban authorities
regarding dissidents.
After four years in jail without charge, Rolando Jimenez is reported to
have been imprisoned for 12 years following a closed trial in Havana.
The dissident lawyer is understood to have written several slogans
critical of President Castro on the walls of public buildings in the
capital.
A few days earlier, independent journalist Oscar Sanchez was arrested
and sentenced to four years in prison for alleged social dangerousness.
The Cuban government has not commented on any of the cases.
It has long alleged that there are no political prisoners in Cuba, and
that those it jails are mercenaries paid by the US government to
undermine the Cuban Revolution.
Our correspondent says one possible explanation for the releases is that
next month a meeting is scheduled between representatives of the Cuban
and Spanish governments in an attempt to deepen ties.
He says the issue of human rights is, broadly, on the agenda, although
Cuba has indicated that it regards its policy towards dissidents as an
"internal matter", not to be discussed with other countries.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/americas/6590217.stm
Published: 2007/04/24 21:21:28 GMT
At least seven dissidents have been released from jail in Cuba, human
rights groups have said.
Dissident sources said one, Jorge Luis Garcia - a long-time critic of
Fidel Castro's government - was freed after serving a 17-year sentence.
Six others were also freed after serving about two years, sources said.
The reported releases coincide with the sentencing to jail in Cuba of
two more critics - one to 12 years and another to four, rights groups said.
'Social dangerousness'
The BBC's Stephen Gibbs in Havana says the last few days appear to have
seen some notable movement on the part of the Cuban authorities
regarding dissidents.
After four years in jail without charge, Rolando Jimenez is reported to
have been imprisoned for 12 years following a closed trial in Havana.
The dissident lawyer is understood to have written several slogans
critical of President Castro on the walls of public buildings in the
capital.
A few days earlier, independent journalist Oscar Sanchez was arrested
and sentenced to four years in prison for alleged social dangerousness.
The Cuban government has not commented on any of the cases.
It has long alleged that there are no political prisoners in Cuba, and
that those it jails are mercenaries paid by the US government to
undermine the Cuban Revolution.
Our correspondent says one possible explanation for the releases is that
next month a meeting is scheduled between representatives of the Cuban
and Spanish governments in an attempt to deepen ties.
He says the issue of human rights is, broadly, on the agenda, although
Cuba has indicated that it regards its policy towards dissidents as an
"internal matter", not to be discussed with other countries.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/americas/6590217.stm
Published: 2007/04/24 21:21:28 GMT
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