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No hiding place for torture

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 12:41:52 +0100

Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that everyone has the right to be free from torture and other ill-treatment. 60 years after it was adopted unanimously at the United Nations, Amnesty International documented torture in at least 81 countries.

The organization has documented torture for decades, but governments’ actions in recent years have challenged the validity of the prohibition itself, particularly in the context of counter terrorism.

This month, Amnesty International will seek to reverse this trend. In partnership with the Global Elders, the organization will call on governments to condemn and prevent torture and other ill-treatment and hold to account those responsible.

No justification for torture

Government responses to the attacks of 11 September 2001, and attacks in other countries since then, have amounted to a serious assault on the framework of human rights. They have not only used torture, they have sought to justify it in the name of security.

Detainees have been subjected to secret detention, enforced disappearance and indefinite detention without charge or trial. They have been transferred from one state to another without due process and have been sent to countries where they have faced torture. Such practices and lack of accountability have facilitated the spread and acceptance of torture.

Counter Terror with Justice

Torture is a crime that cannot be justified under any circumstances. Governments must bring to justice those responsible for authorising and inflicting it. The conditions which allow it to flourish, particularly illegal detention, must be brought to an end.

Governments have a duty to protect their population from violent attacks, but real security can only be achieved through justice and the promotion of human rights.

What you can do:

Amnesty International will organize actions on and around 26 June, International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. Contact your local office and get involved;
Take action now to end illegal US detentions;
Stay informed by signing up to our e-newsletter and visiting our activism blog.

Cuba: Five years too many, new government must release jailed dissidents

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 16:45:39 +0000

On the 5th anniversary of the largest crackdown against political opponents in Cuba, Amnesty International today called on the new Cuban authorities to immediately release the 58 dissidents still being held in jails across the country.

“Five years is five years too many. The only crime committed by these 58 is the peaceful exercise of their fundamental freedoms. Amnesty International considers them to be prisoners of conscience. They must be released immediately and unconditionally,” said Kerrie Howard, Deputy Director for Amnesty International’s Americas Programme.

In February 2008, Amnesty International welcomed the release of four prisoners of conscience and Cuba’s signing of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

“The new Cuban President, Raul Castro, has to follow the recent positive actions by tackling some of the most pressing human rights issues in the country – including judicial review of all sentences passed after unfair trials, the abolition of the death penalty and the introduction of measures to guarantee freedom of expression and independence of the judiciary,” said Kerrie Howard.

Fifty-five of the 58 current prisoners of conscience in Cuba are the remainder of a group of 75 people jailed in the context of a massive crackdown against the dissident movement in March 2003. Most of them were charged with crimes including “acts against the independence of the state” because they received funds and/or materials from the United States government in order to engage in activities the authorities perceived as subversive and damaging to Cuba. These activities included publishing articles or giving interviews to US-funded media, communicating with international human rights organizations and having contact with entities or individuals viewed to be hostile to Cuba. The men were sentenced to between six and 28 years of prison after speedy and dubious trials. Twenty have so far been conditionally released on medical grounds.

Among the jailed political opponents is doctor and human rights defender Marcelo Cano Rodriguez. He was arrested in the city of Las Tunas on 25 March 2003 as he was investigating the arrest of another doctor, Jorge Luis García Paneque, detained during the crackdown on dissidents on the island. Marcelo Cano Rodríguez was tried, convicted and sentenced to 18 years in prison. The activities the prosecution cited against him included visiting prisoners and their families as part of his work with the Comisión Cubana de Derechos Humanos (Cuban Human Rights Commission); and maintaining ties to the international organization Medicos sin Fronteras, Doctors without Borders. He is currently being held in Ariza prison in the city of Cienfuegos, around 250 km south-east of his home in the capital, Havana, where his family lives making family visits difficult.

“By continuing to hold political opponents for exercising fundamental freedoms, the Cuban authorities are failing to step up to their human rights commitments,” said Kerrie Howard.

A full list of the 58 political activists unfairly imprisoned in Cuba will be available from 18 March on:
http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/news/cuba-list-prisoners-of-conscience

Cuba signs up for human rights

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 18:22:17 +0000

Cuba signed two major human rights treaties at the UN in New York on Thursday. The country’s Foreign Minister, Felipe Perez Roque, signed the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The treaties commit Cuba to respect rights including freedom of expression and association, and freedom of movement

Amnesty International welcomed the news and called on the country to ratify both treaties without reservation. Fernanda Doz Costa, Cuba researcher at Amnesty’s Americas Programme, said that the Cuban authorities "must honour their human rights commitments by introducing measures to guarantee freedom of expression and independence of the judiciary, starting with the unconditional release of the current 58 prisoners of conscience.

"Amnesty International urges Cuba to accept the full range of obligations under these covenants, because human rights norms are the legal expression of the essential rights that every person is entitled to as a human being."

The covenants were signed just days after 76-year-old Raul Castro was unanimously selected to succeed his brother Fidel as leader by Cuba’s National Assembly. Speaking about the new Cuban leadership, Amnesty International Special Advisor Javier Zuñiga said that they "must take advantage of this change to introduce much needed reforms to guarantee the protection of human rights."

Zuniga also called for "the judicial review of all sentences passed after unfair trials, the abolition of the death penalty and the introduction of measures to ensure respect of fundamental freedoms and the independence of the judiciary."

Cuba has recently released four political prisoners arrested during a crackdown on the opposition in 17 & 18 March 2003. Reporters Jose Ramon and Alejandro Gonzalez, dissident Omar Pernet and trade unionist Pedro Alvarez were among 75 prominent figures convicted of being mercenaries in the pay of the US government. Amnesty International also welcomed their release considering it "a very positive step", but urged Raul Castro to urgently release the 58 remaining incarcerated prisoners of conscience.

Mr Roque announced the Cuban government’s intention to sign the agreements in December 2007. The announcement coincided with an increasing crackdown against dissidents between 21 November and 10 December – International Human Rights Day – when many political dissidents were arbitrarily arrested because of their involvement in peaceful protests.

At the time of the announcement, Kerrie Howard, Deputy Director at Amnesty International’s Americas Programme, said that "the Cuban government must signal its true commitment to human rights treaties by acting to release all those detained solely for their peaceful political activities and ensuring that all human rights are respected and promoted across the country."

Cuba: Respect and protect human rights without reservations

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 13:08:27 +0000

Amnesty International today welcomed Cuba’s signing of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and called on the country to ratify both treaties without reservation.

“The new Cuban authorities must honour their human rights commitments by introducing measures to guarantee freedom of expression and independence of the judiciary, starting with the unconditional release of the current 58 prisoners of conscience,” said Fernanda Doz Costa, Cuba researcher at Amnesty International’s Americas Programme.

“Amnesty International urges Cuba to accept the full range of obligations under these covenants, because human rights norms are the legal expression of the essential rights that every person is entitled to as a human being “said Fernanda Doz Costa.

Cuba: New leadership must take opportunity and introduce reforms

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 11:08:33 +0000

In reaction to Fidel Castro’s announcement that he will not return to the presidency, Amnesty International said: “The new Cuban leadership must take advantage of this change to introduce much needed reforms to guarantee the protection of human rights.”

“Reform in Cuba must start with the unconditional release of all prisoners of conscience, the judicial review of all sentences passed after unfair trials, the abolition of the death penalty and the introduction of measures to ensure respect of fundamental freedoms and the independence of the judiciary,” said Javier Zuñiga, Special Advisor at Amnesty International.

Amnesty International calls on the new Cuban government to allow UN human rights bodies and independent human rights organizations to visit the country.

The organization also urged the international community and in particular the US, to abolish policies and practices that impinge on the human rights of Cubans, such as the US embargo.

New Cuban leadership can improve human rights

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 18:07:57 +0000

Amnesty International has called on the new Cuban government to allow UN human rights bodies and independent human rights organizations to visit the country.

A spokesperson for the organization said that Fidel Castro’s decision not to continue as president of Cuba paves the way for positive human rights reforms on the island.

“The new Cuban leadership must take advantage of this change to introduce much needed reforms to guarantee the protection of human rights,” says Amnesty International Special Advisor, Javier Zuñiga.

“Reform in Cuba must start with the unconditional release of all prisoners of conscience, the judicial review of all sentences passed after unfair trials, the abolition of the death penalty and the introduction of measures to ensure respect of fundamental freedoms and the independence of the judiciary.”

Four Cuban activists were recently released from prison, a move welcomed by Amnesty International on Monday. The organization has called on President Raul Castro to urgently release the 58 remaining incarcerated prisoners of conscience and guarantee the right to freedom of expression on the island.

Amnesty International has also urged the international community, and in particular the US, to abolish policies and practices, such as the US embargo, which impinge on the human rights of Cubans.

Cuba releases imprisoned activists

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 17:14:55 +0000

The Cuban authorities released four activists from prison over the weekend. The four were arrested in a political crackdown in March 2003, which imprisoned 75 dissidents.

Omar Pernet Hernandez, 62, Pedro Pablo Alvarez Ramos, 59, José Gabriel Ramon Castillo, 50, and independent journalist Alejandro Gonzalez Raga, 48, were released.

Fifty-eight people recognised by Amnesty International as prisoners of conscience remain in prison. Amnesty International welcomed the releases, but, in a statement, urged Raul Castro to urgently release the 58 and to guarantee the right to freedom of expression on the island.

"The release of the four Cuban prisoners of conscience is a very positive step but we must not forget about the at least 58 people who remain held in prisons across Cuba for the sole reason of expressing their political views," said Kerrie Howard, Deputy Director at Amnesty International's Americas Programme.

"We hope that the recent release is a sign of change in Cuba, a further openness to improving respect for human rights, including the right to freedom of expression and association."

Cuba: 58 prisoners of conscience must be released

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 12:20:05 +0000

Amnesty International today welcomed the release of four Cuban activists but urged Raul Castro to urgently release the 58 remaining incarcerated prisoners of conscience and to guarantee the right to freedom of expression on the island.

“The release of the four Cuban prisoners of conscience is a very positive step but we must not forget about the at least 58 people who remain held in prisons across Cuba for the sole reason of expressing their political views,” said Kerrie Howard, Deputy director at Amnesty International’s Americas Programme.

“We hope that the recent release is a sign of change in Cuba, a further openness to improving respect for human rights, including the right to freedom of expression and association,” said Kerrie Howard.

Amnesty International has adopted 58 people currently imprisoned across Cuba as prisoners of conscience – those held because of their political or religious beliefs or because of their sex, nationality or ethnicity.

Cuba: Government should commit to human rights by ending harassment of dissidents

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 14:51:51 +0000

Amnesty International today welcomed the announcement made by Cuba’s Minister of Foreign Affairs that the country will soon ratify key human rights treaties but added that this move will only be meaningful if matched by change in Cuba’s policies of intimidation and arbitrary arrests of political dissidents.

“The Cuban government must signal its true commitment to human rights treaties by acting to release all those detained solely for their peaceful political activities and ensuring that all human rights are respected and promoted across the country,” said Kerrie Howard, Deputy Director at Amnesty International’s Americas Programme.

The Cuban government’s announcement coincided with an increasing crackdown against dissidents between 21 November and 10 December – International Human Rights Day – when many political dissidents were arbitrarily arrested because of their involvement in peaceful protests.

According to local reports, the detentions lasted for short periods of time and were aimed at discouraging demonstrations against the government, particularly on 10 December, International Human Rights Day. At least three people remained detained and were transferred to maximum security prison: Juan Bermudez Toranzo, Manuel Perez Soria and Vladimir Alejo Miranda.

On 21 November, Juan Bermudez Toranzo, vice-president of the Cuban Foundation for Human Rights, was arrested at his house with four other people where they held a collective fast to demand the release of political prisoners in Cuba. Manuel Perez Soria was detained on 27 November, while he was on hunger strike to demand the Cuban Government the access to an identity card. This is not the first time that he is arrested for exercising his right to freedom of expression. On 24 April 2007 he was released after spending almost two years in prison after he was arrested during a peaceful demonstration in Havana to commemorate the 13 de Marzo tugboat incident of 1994.

The recent detentions add to the at least 62 journalists, members of unofficial political groups and political dissidents held in prisons across Cuba because of their peaceful political activities – all adopted by Amnesty International as “prisoners of conscience”.

“Every time someone in Cuba is arrested or imprisoned solely for their human rights work or their opinions, it sends a strong message to all human rights organizations that their work will not be tolerated,” said Kerrie Howard.

Cuba releases prisoner of conscience

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 12:49:21 +0000

Cuba's longest serving prisoner of conscience has been conditionally released following more than 13 years of incarceration.

Francisco Chaviano González, president of an unofficial human rights group, was arrested by Cuban State Security police at his Havana home on 7 May 1994 on charges of "revealing state security secrets" and falsifying public documents.

It was reported that moments before his arrest, a person believed to be unknown to him handed him a compromising document which was found by State Security and used as a pretext for detaining him on the grounds that he was "highly dangerous".

In April 1995 he was sentenced by a military tribunal to 15 years in prison, the maximum sentence for these charges under Cuban law. Amnesty International believed his trial did not conform to international fair trial standards and declared him a prisoner of conscience.

Having served 13 years and three months of his sentence, he was conditionally released on 10 August.

A former mathematics teacher and married with three children, Francisco Chaviano González is president of the National Council for Civil Rights in Cuba (Consejo Nacional por los Derechos Civiles en Cuba - CNDCC), whose work includes documenting the cases of Cubans who have been lost at sea trying to leave the country.

He was reportedly beaten on several occasions at the time of arrest and again on 17 June 1999, when prison guards broke his tibia and caused injuries to his face, according to reports received by Amnesty International. On several different occasions he undertook hunger strikes to draw attention to his conditions of detention.

Francisco Chaviano González is the fourth prisoner of conscience to be released this year. However, dissident groups on the island do not believe that these releases represent an improvement in the human rights situation as those freed had served their full sentence or were eligible for early release. There are still 62 other prisoners of conscience imprisoned in Cuba and many others whose incarceration is politically motivated.