Prague/Palmarito de Cauto, 16.4. 2012. It has been already two weeks since José Daniel
Ferrer García was detained at his home in Palmarito de Cauto together with his wife Belkis
Cantillo, member of the movement Damas de Blanco (Ladies in White). She was released;
however José Daniel is still under arrest in the state security department of Versalles,
Santiago de Cuba, without any charge or lawyer assistance. Moreover, reasonable
concerns for his health have since been raised. The message sent out to the world by
Cantillo is clear : “I am calling on the public international opinion to intercede on behalf
of José Daniel Ferrer García so that he is immediately released“. The pacific activists
will continue their civil struggle, no matter how severe the regime actions against them
are. Once more the international community is witnessing the position of the Cuban
government towards human rights activists.
On 2nd April José Daniel Ferrer García, the leader of the Cuban Patriotic Union
(UNPACU), was detained at home together with his wife around 4 pm. Their children
were present to the detention by Cuban security forces without knowing where parents
were being taken. Belkis Cantillo Ramirez, member of the Damas de Blanco, was
released in evening hours on Friday, April 6th. This detention was part of the wave of
repressions in the eastern provinces of Cuba, during which altogether 43 arrests were
performed. As a result of the raid to the Ferrrer´s house, Cuban security forces
confiscated devices such as laptop, CDs, USB memories and other material.
Cuban Patriotic Union (UNPACU) was created as a platform to offer a support to those
Cubans who wish to express their disagreement with the current situation in Cuba in a
pacific, but not a passive way. UNPACU organizes non-violent actions of resistance and
invites the Cuban population to participate in their activities. The organizations sticks
to their motto saying: Una Cuba con todos y para el bien de todos (“One Cuba for
everyone and for the good of everyone”) .
The actual case of José Daniel Ferrer García reveals the ongoing general violation of
international human rights standards by Cuban authorities while dealing with
opposition activists. It is a reminder of the conditions and current state of liberties in
Cuba that remain without any positive change, despite expectations. In the long term,
the Cuban government does not show improvements regarding willingness to involve
the pacific opposition into political dialogue. On the contrary, constant harassment and
pressure from the security forces and political police are the official response to the
demands for change.
Issued and supported by:
Fundación Hispano Cubana, Spain
International Society for Human Rights, Germany
People in Need, Czech RepublicChristian Democratic International Center, Sweden
Swedish International Liberal Centre, Sweden
Asociación de Iberoamericanos por la Libertad, Spain
Observatorio Cubano de Derechos Humanos, Spain
