Choice on 11/15 march ‘consistent with repression policy’
(ANSA) – ROME, OCTOBER 22 – Amnesty International has criticized the Cuban authorities’ decision to ban the opposition protest scheduled for November 15 on the island, stressing that “the international community must not forget the hundreds of people arrested during the historic protests of 11 July “last.
“Groups of people from various provinces of the country have submitted requests to the various local governments in recent weeks for authorization to carry out peaceful marches, clearly organized and defined in the legitimate exercise of their right to freedom of expression. Instead of guaranteeing these rights, the government of President Miguel Díaz-Canel has declared that these civic marches are ‘illegal’ and ‘unconstitutional’, again violating the right to peaceful protest in Cuba, “said Erika Guevara Rosas, director for the Americas in a statement. by Amnesty.
“Amnesty International – he added – has received reports of arbitrary arrests of activists, harassment and surveillance by security agents, against those who have joined the call organized by the Archipiélago group”, which promotes the demonstration.
“This response of the authorities is consistent with the repression policy applied for decades in Cuba, which criminalizes peaceful protest and imprisons and mistreats Cubans of all conditions just for expressing their views,” said Guevara Rosas.
“The international community must not forget the hundreds of people arrested during the historic protests of 11 July simply for peacefully exercising their right, as well as the six prisoners of conscience that Amnesty International appointed shortly after the events,” said the director. Amnesty, stressing that detainees “must be immediately and unconditionally released”. (HANDLE).