NYer
09-27-2005, 08:25 AM
Wives of Jailed Cubans Appeal to Spain
By VANESSA ARRINGTON
Associated Press Writer
September 26, 2005, 8:17 PM EDT
HAVANA -- The wives of jailed Cuban dissidents called on the Spanish prime minister on Monday to pressure the Cuban government to release its political prisoners.
In a letter delivered to the Spanish embassy in Havana, the women said the dozens of activists imprisoned in a government crackdown on dissent in early 2003 committed no crime and should be released from prison immediately.
They asked Spanish Prime Minister to Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and other Spanish and European leaders to remember the dissidents, as well as what they called harsh prison conditions, when meeting with Cuban leaders at an upcoming summit in the Spanish city of Salamanca.
Zapatero's Socialist government has led efforts to increase dialogue with Cuba, while still underscoring human rights concerns. Earlier this year, the European Union lifted sanctions imposed on Cuba after the 2003 crackdown, which put 75 activists behind bars.
http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/world/wire/sns-ap-cuba-dissidents-wives,0,1671093,print.story?coll=sns-ap-world-headlines
By VANESSA ARRINGTON
Associated Press Writer
September 26, 2005, 8:17 PM EDT
HAVANA -- The wives of jailed Cuban dissidents called on the Spanish prime minister on Monday to pressure the Cuban government to release its political prisoners.
In a letter delivered to the Spanish embassy in Havana, the women said the dozens of activists imprisoned in a government crackdown on dissent in early 2003 committed no crime and should be released from prison immediately.
They asked Spanish Prime Minister to Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and other Spanish and European leaders to remember the dissidents, as well as what they called harsh prison conditions, when meeting with Cuban leaders at an upcoming summit in the Spanish city of Salamanca.
Zapatero's Socialist government has led efforts to increase dialogue with Cuba, while still underscoring human rights concerns. Earlier this year, the European Union lifted sanctions imposed on Cuba after the 2003 crackdown, which put 75 activists behind bars.
http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/world/wire/sns-ap-cuba-dissidents-wives,0,1671093,print.story?coll=sns-ap-world-headlines