More Than Half of the Activists Arrested in Cuba in September Were Women

14ymedio, Havana, 3 October 2018 — More than half of those arrested for political reasons in Cuba this September were women, according to the report of the Cuban Commission for Human Rights and National Reconciliation (CCDHRN). The organization counts 224 arbitrary arrests this month. “Peaceful dissidents and activists of the independent civil society” were confined, “under generally … Continue reading “More Than Half of the Activists Arrested in Cuba in September Were Women”

Cuban Human Rights Groups Denounces More Arrests and Consolidation of the "Totalitarian Model"

14ymedio, Havana, 1 August 2018 — During the month of July there were 229 arbitrary arrests, “for purely political reasons, of peaceful dissidents”, the Cuban Commission for Human Rights and National Reconciliation (CCDHRN) denounces in its most recent monthly report. The figure is 107 arrests more than in June. “We are going to see a rebound in these … Continue reading “Cuban Human Rights Groups Denounces More Arrests and Consolidation of the "Totalitarian Model"”

Cuban Woman Will Be Tried For Contempt For Calling State Official Corrupt / Cubalex

Cubalex, 19 July 2018 — Indira Martínez Borges, 33 and the mother of a two-year-old, will be tried on July 20 in a summary proceeding, charged with the crime of “contempt” for calling an official ‘corrupt’. The official, Anais Rodríguez Cárdena,  is with the Provincial Directorate of Housing of the Camagüey municipality, which confiscated Martinez’s home … Continue reading “Cuban Woman Will Be Tried For Contempt For Calling State Official Corrupt / Cubalex”

"Degrading Conditions" for Detainees But Fewer Arbitrary Arrests in June

14ymedio, Havana, 2 July 2018 — The number of arbitrary arrests has been “steadily declining” in the last two years, according to the latest report from the Cuban Commission for Human Rights and National Reconciliation (CCDHRN), which documents 122 arrests of this type during the month of June. Although the repression has diminished in quantitative terms, … Continue reading “"Degrading Conditions" for Detainees But Fewer Arbitrary Arrests in June”

Biologist Ariel Ruiz Urquiola Released

14ymedio, Havana, 3 July 2018 — The biologist Ariel Ruiz Urquiola, sentenced to one year in prison for the alleged crime of “contempt of authority,” was released on Tuesday, 14ymedio  confirmed through sources  related to the case. “I feel alive, I do not fear death, but I can not stop thanking all the people inside and outside of … Continue reading “Biologist Ariel Ruiz Urquiola Released”

Pinar Del Rio’s Bishop Asks For “A Review of the Case” of Ruiz Urquiola

14ymedio, Mario J. Penton, Miami, 30 June 2018 – On Friday, shortly after visiting biologist Ariel Ruiz Urquiola, on hunger strike over his sentence of one year in prison, the bishop of the Catholic diocese of Pinar del Rio, Jorge Serpa, spoke in favor of “a review of the case and of the process.” Serpa … Continue reading “Pinar Del Rio’s Bishop Asks For “A Review of the Case” of Ruiz Urquiola”

Interview with Rosa Maria, Oswaldo Paya’s Daughter / Iván García

Ivan Garcia and Leonardo Santos, 15 March 2018 — It is difficult, for the macho mentality that prevails among Cubans, to relate to a woman with bold attitudes that require determination and bravery. Regarding Rosa María Payá Acevedo, freelance journalist José Hugo Fernández said that “she has a graceful, elegant appearance, a candid look.” This is the leader … Continue reading “Interview with Rosa Maria, Oswaldo Paya’s Daughter / Iván García”

Cuba Extends Internet Censorship and Continues to Harass and Arrest Opponents

EFE, via 14ymedio, Havana, 22 February 2018 – “Unwarranted restrictions” on access to and freedom of expression on the internet have been added to the traditional forms of censorship in Cuba, where the government continues to arbitrarily detain and “harass” people critical of it, according to Amnesty International’s 2017-2018 report. The document, released on Wednesday, … Continue reading “Cuba Extends Internet Censorship and Continues to Harass and Arrest Opponents”

Cuban Observatory For Human Rights Criticizes EU for Dialogue With Cuba “Without Demands”

14ymedio, Havana, 1 January 2018 — In a letter published on Sunday, the Cuban Observatory for Human Rights (OCDH) criticized the European Union for maintaining a “dialogue without demands” with the Cuban government. That complaint was published on the eve of the trip to Cuba of the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security of the EU, … Continue reading “Cuban Observatory For Human Rights Criticizes EU for Dialogue With Cuba “Without Demands””

‘El Sexto’ Will Stay In The US But Will Continue To Fight Against Arbitrary Detentions In Cuba

14ymedio, Mario Penton, Miami, 15 May 2017 — The artist Danilo Maldonado, known as ‘El Sexto’ (The Sixth), announced his desire to reside in the United States, although he will remain attentive to what happens in Cuba to be able to denounce the arbitrary detentions. Maldonado, whose girlfriend, Alexandra Martinez, is a US citizen, declined to respond … Continue reading “‘El Sexto’ Will Stay In The US But Will Continue To Fight Against Arbitrary Detentions In Cuba”

“The Politician Of The Week,” A Citizens’ Initiative

14ymedio, Reinaldo Escobar, Havana, 10 April 2017 — Facing the times that we live in can be an unpleasant task. And doing it without discrimination based on ideological viewpoints and with immediacy, takes visions of daring. This is the challenge that the Center for the Application of Political Marketing and Political assumes with the election of the “politician … Continue reading ““The Politician Of The Week,” A Citizens’ Initiative”

“State Security Doctors Constantly Mistreated Us”

14ymedio, Havana, 4 April 2017 — Maydolys Leyva can breath easy for the first time since last March 7. Her three children have abandoned their hunger strike after being released on parole. This Monday, their mother prepared a meal of mild creamed vegetables, root vegetables and meat for her daughter Anairis and son Fidel Batista, as they … Continue reading ““State Security Doctors Constantly Mistreated Us””

Health Of Three Siblings On Hunger Strike In Cuba Worsens

14ymedio Havana, 27 March 2017 — The health of the siblings Fidel Batista Leyva, and Anairis and Adairis Miranda Leyva is worsening, as Monday marked their 21 days on a hunger strike, according to their mother, Maydolis Leyva Portelles, who spoke with 14ymedio. Members of the Cuban Reflection Movement, the three siblings are experiencing “a … Continue reading “Health Of Three Siblings On Hunger Strike In Cuba Worsens”

More Than 50% Of Cuba’s Political Prisoners Belong To UNPACU, According To Human Rights Group / 14ymedio

14ymedio, Havana, 6 February 2017 – A report released this Monday by the National Cuban Commission for Human Rights and National Reconciliation (CCDHRN) counts 478 arbitrary arrests against dissidents throughout the island during the month of January. The text states that during the past month, there were 20 arrests more than in December 2016. The independent body … Continue reading “More Than 50% Of Cuba’s Political Prisoners Belong To UNPACU, According To Human Rights Group / 14ymedio”

“I come from the street, but I did not want to stay there,” says ‘El Sexto’ / 14ymedio, Mario Penton

14ymedio, Mario Penton, Miami, 3 February 2017 — The uniform haircut imposed upon entering the Combinado del Este prison contrasts with the stains of fresh paint on the shoes of the super tall man, who stands nearly 6’5″. Danilo Maldonado Machado, known as ‘El Sexto’ (The Sixth), a graffiti artist and human rights activist in Cuba, embodies … Continue reading ““I come from the street, but I did not want to stay there,” says ‘El Sexto’ / 14ymedio, Mario Penton”