Cuban authorities prevent activists from commemorating death of dissident

23 February 2012

Cuban authorities prevent activists from commemorating death of dissident

"It is unacceptable that the Cuban authorities would not allow human
rights activists to remember one of their colleagues in peace."
Javier Zúñiga, Special Advisor at Amnesty International.
Thu, 23/02/2012

Authorities in Cuba are preventing members of the women's organization
"Ladies in White" from entering a building in downtown Havana for an
event commemorating the second anniversary of the death of activist
Orlando Zapata Tamayo.

Several "Ladies in White", who campaign for the release of political
prisoners, already assembled in the building told Amnesty International
they fear they may be detained if they try to leave.

"It is unacceptable that the Cuban authorities would not allow human
rights activists to remember one of their colleagues in peace," said
Javier Zúñiga, Special Advisor at Amnesty International.

Women have travelled to Havana from across Cuba to attend the event.

According to information gathered by Amnesty International, the Cuban
authorities have diverted traffic from passing in front of the
headquarters and have stationed police officers on the four corners of
the block where they are located. They are checking the identification
cards of all pedestrians passing through the area.

"Authorities must urgently stop harassing activists and preventing any
of the 'Ladies in White' from celebrating the memory of Orlando Zapata,"
said Javier Zúñiga.

Prisoner of conscience Orlando Zapata Tamayo died on 23 February 2010
after an 86-day-long hunger strike.

http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/cuban-authorities-prevent-activists-commemorating-death-dissident-2012-02-23