Video: “Ladies in White” Continue Peaceful Protest as Cuban Government Breaks Promise to Release Prisoners

NEW YORK (November 11, 2010) – The Human Rights Foundation (HRF) released an exclusive video interview with Laura Pollan, leader of the “Ladies in White,” a civil society group inside Cuba that organizes peaceful Sunday marches for freedom and human rights. The world-renowned group is formed by the families and supporters of political prisoners who were arrested during the “Black Spring” government crackdown on Cuban dissidents. In the video, Pollan asks for the international community to maintain pressure on the Cuban government after it failed to honor its commitment to release all the prisoners by November 7, including 12 who have refused exile into Spain.

During a four-day period that occurred in March 2003, 75 independent journalists, librarians, and democracy and human rights advocates were arrested and ultimately convicted with sentences ranging from 6 to 28 years. One prisoner died in custody on hunger strike; 21 were eventually freed through an “extra-penitentiary license,” and one prisoner completed his term.

In July 2010, the Roman Catholic Church of Havana announced that the Cuban government agreed to exile the 52 Black Spring prisoners who still remained in prison. The government committed to releasing all the prisoners within four months—by November 7. With the deadline for their release passed, 39 prisoners have been forced into exile in Spain. Twelve prisoners refused anything but an unconditional release. They remain in prison as of today.

"The government simply wants to give the world the impression that things are changing. But in reality, while the laws that put dissidents in prison remain, we cannot talk about real changes,” said Pollan.

The Ladies in White have pledged to continue their peaceful protest for freedom and democracy in Cuba. In the video, Pollan asks for the international community to support a pardon for the prisoners who have refused exile, and emphasizes that the release of the prisoners does not signal an improvement of the human rights situation in Cuba.

"This is what the government is hoping to do, to clean the streets of those individuals who dare to confront them peacefully. That is why they are exiling the prisoners and their families, so that there won’t be people to oppose them, and the rest of the opposition would see that they could be expelled, too,” stated Pollan.

To this date, Cuba’s criminal code—which allows the “pre-emptive” arrest of individuals for their “potential” to commit crime—is unchanged, as are laws allowing for the arrest of anyone writing anything critical of the Cuban government.

"Even if the Cuban government fulfills its promise and releases or exiles the remaining prisoners, there is still a dire human rights situation in that country,” said Thor Halvorssen, president of HRF. “Significant change in Cuba will not come without a full transition to democracy and respect for civil and political rights,” he stated.

"The political prisoners who have refused exile should be allowed to decide for themselves whether to remain in Cuba or leave the country. Their sacrifice is a courageous act of peaceful resistance against a ruthless dictatorship, and the international community must support them in their protest,” Halvorssen continued.

In September, HRF released a video of the Ladies in White that relates the history of how the group formed following the Black Spring and discusses events that have brought international attention to Cuba’s political prisoners.

HRF is an international nonpartisan organization devoted to defending human rights in the Americas. It centers its work on the twin concepts of freedom of self-determination and freedom from tyranny. These ideals include the belief that all human beings have the rights to speak freely, to associate with those of like mind, and to leave and enter their countries. Individuals in a free society must be accorded equal treatment and due process under law, and must have the opportunity to participate in the governments of their countries; HRF’s ideals likewise find expression in the conviction that all human beings have the right to be free from arbitrary detainment or exile and from interference and coercion in matters of conscience. HRF does not support nor condone violence. HRF’s International Council includes former prisoners of conscience Vladimir Bukovsky, Palden Gyatso, Václav Havel, Mutabar Tadjibaeva, Ramón J. Velásquez, Elie Wiesel, and Harry Wu.

Contact: Thor Halvorssen, Human Rights Foundation, (212) 246.8486, info@thehrf.org

Watch the full video with Laura Pollan here.