The Observatorio Cubano de Derechos Humanos (OCDH) denounces that during the month of April, 552 arbitrary detentions were made and that 337 of these serious violations were directed against women, most of them members of the “Damas de Blanco”, an opposition group which has suffered an increase of repressive acts against its membership during the last few weeks. The Observatorio has issued this week an international condemnation of the situation before the UN Human Rights Council.
A fact that deserves attention and that constitutes a subject of concern to us is that even while the Cuban government tries to build at the international level a positive image for itself it does not cease to behave in an intolerant and repressive manner towards those who attempt in Cuba to exercise their rights and their freedoms.
The hostile and repressive acts committed by the Cuban government this month have shown that its intolerance is not only practiced inside Cuba but also outside of the country. The activities at the Summit of the Americas in Panama of representatives of Cuban government sponsored NGOs conducted under the visible command of political police officials have provided clear evidence of the subversive capabilities of Cuban government agents and of the impunity that they enjoy even outside Cuba.
The OCDH wishes to reiterate that any negotiating process with the Cuban government undertaken by United States or European officials must include the demand for the respect of human rights. It is very difficult to accept the notion that negotiations with the Cuban government are intended to benefit the Cuban people if strong demands that the inalienable rights and freedoms of all Cubans be respected are not made.
