Human Rights First Welcomes the Release of Cuban Independent Journalist

Human Rights First welcomes the release from prison on medical parole of independent journalist Mario Enrique Mayo Hernández on December 1, 2005. Mr. Mayo was one of the 75 human rights activists and independent journalists arrested in March 2003 during a crackdown on civil society in Cuba. Human Rights First is concerned that the release was not unconditional, meaning that he could be returned to prison.

Human Rights First reiterates its call to the Cuban government to unconditionally release all individuals who have been imprisoned for the peaceful expression of their opinions and for their efforts to promote human rights in Cuba. At least 75 human rights defenders and independent journalists remain imprisoned in Cuba, a number of whom are seriously ill and whose health conditions have been aggravated by their time in prison.

Mr. Mayo was arrested in March of 2003 and subsequently sentenced to 20 years in prison for writing articles that discussed human rights and health conditions in Cuba. Seventy-four others were also sentenced to prison terms of up to 28 years in reprisal for their peaceful activism on behalf of human rights and democracy. Mr. Mayo’s release brings to 15 the number of prisoners who have been freed on medical parole since 2003. He is the first of this group to be freed in a year.

Reports from Cuba indicate that conditions for human rights and democracy activists have been deteriorating over the past several months, including a renewed crackdown in July 2005 that saw the arrest of over 50 peaceful activists, 15 of whom remain in detention. Systemic harassment and intimidation of human rights activists and their families has been increasing. Human Rights First reminds the Cuban government that it is obliged under international law to ensure that human rights defenders and their family members are free from threats and other forms of intimidation.