Women in White denounce stepped-up repression by Cuban government

Havana, Cuba, Mar 10, 2009 / 22:28 pm

The Women in White, a civic movement made up of the wives of Cuban political prisoners, denounced the Communist government of Raul Castro this week, saying the regime to prevent the commemoration of the sixth anniversary of the Black Spring, when many of their husbands were arrested and imprisoned by the government.

“We blame the State police and the Government in general for any physical aggression or acts of repudiation that are carried out against us by paramilitary troops dressed as civilians or by the officials themselves of repressive organizations,” the women said in a recent statement.

The Women in White, recognized internationally for their struggle in support of human rights, said that since Feb. 20, they are becoming “the victims of greater repression and harassment” by political police, who detained “more than six of our members, threatening them and presenting them with warnings,” ordering them also not to attend the activities marking the Black Spring.

The Women in White reiterated the peaceful nature of their activities and said their only objective is “to exercise our right to ask for the release of political prisoners.” 

On March 18, 2003, agents of Fidel Castro’s government began what would become known as the Black Spring of Cuba by detaining and incarcerating more than 70 opposition leaders, independent journalists, defenders of human rights, librarians and independent union leaders.

In order to mark the anniversary, the Women in White have planned six days of activities March 17-22.