Release Ill Cuban Activist from Isolation Cell

June 8, 2009

Tony Diaz, an instrumental organizer of a civic initiative known as the Varela Project in Cuba, was thrown in jail for his human rights activities in the spring of 2003.  The Varela Project collected petition signatures for a constitutional referendum on democratic reforms and respect for basic freedoms. Now, more than six years later, Diaz suffers from serious intestinal problems.  This week, Diaz was transferred to a prison isolation cell, seriously endangering his health. 

For the past eight months, Diaz has been receiving treatment for his illness at the Carlos J. Finlay Military Hospital in Havana.  During his stay, State Security agents repeatedly offered to transfer Diaz to a prison close to his home if he agreed to fully cooperate with them and wear a certain uniform.  Upon his refusal, he was transferred this past week to an isolation cell in Canaleta prison in Ciego de Avila province, more than 500 km away from his home in Havana. His detention consists of a dark and humid cell with no outside communication.  Demand that he be released from the isolation cell and receive the medical care that he needs. 

Background

For more information on Tony Diaz's case, please click here.

Sample Letter

Raul Castro Ruz
Presidente Interino de Cuba
c/o Cuban Interests Section
2639 16th St NW
Washington, DC 20009

Your Excellency:

I write to express my grave concern about Tony Diaz, a human rights defender who has been in prison since 2003. This week, he was transferred to a prison isolation cell, seriously endangering his health.

For the past eight months, Diaz has been receiving treatment for his illness at the Carlos J. Finlay Military Hospital in Havana. During his stay, State Security agents repeatedly offered to transfer Diaz to a prison close to his home if he agreed to fully cooperate with them and wear a certain uniform. Upon his refusal, he was transferred this past week to an isolation cell in Canaleta prison in Ciego de Avila province, more than 500 km away from his home in Havana. His detention consists of a dark and humid cell with no outside communication.

Diaz's intestinal problems require constant medical care, a low-stress environment, and a modified diet, none of which he can receive if he remains in an isolation cell. Furthermore, the cell is reportedly extremely small, and consists only of a hole in the ground for a toilet and a slab in the wall for a bed, which could worsen his health condition. Both the cessation of Diaz's medical treatment and his unjustified placement in an isolation cell with such poor conditions violate Cuba's obligations under international law, including the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners. I am concerned that unless he is immediately moved and placed under medical supervision, his health will rapidly deteriorate.

Tony Diaz has been imprisoned since the spring of 2003, when he was arrested after playing an instrumental role in organizing the Varela Project's democracy initiatives and publicly calling for respect for basic human rights. Tony Diaz is a legitimate human rights defender who should not be in jail for his peaceful protection and promotion of fundamental rights. I ask that all charges against him be dropped and he be released from prison. In the meantime, given his health difficulties, I ask that he be immediately released from isolation into a facility where he can receive proper medical attention.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. I will continue to closely follow this case.