CUBA HUMAN RIGHTS ROUND-UP FEB. 8-22

C O N F I D E N T I A L HAVANA 000181

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR WHA/CCA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/21/2017
TAGS: CU PGOV PHUM PINR PREL
SUBJECT: CUBA HUMAN RIGHTS ROUND-UP FEB. 8-22

Classified By: COM: M.E. Parmly : For reasons 1.4 b/d


1. (C) LEADING DISSIDENT ROBERTO DE MIRANDA CALLED BEFORE
STATE SECURITY: Roberto de Miranda (RDM),who was
instrumental in creating Cuba's independent library movement,
on February 8 was told to appear at an immigration office.
The next day, when RDM and his wife went to the office,
instead of an immigration official, they were greeted by
state security officer Samper, the chief of "Section 21" in
charge of counter-intelligence. According to RDM, Samper
"expressed concern" for the financial burden of the many
youth and opposition members who regularly go to RDM's small
apartment as a place to stay in Havana. RDM stated that he
and his wife told Samper that they will never deny food or
shelter to anyone, not even to those who support the regime.
RDM feared a blackmail attempt because he and his wife have
been anxiously awaiting if the GOC will allow their son, who
lives in Spain, to visit them. However, no specific threat
was made. RDM and his wife said that they both told Samper
clearly that they will continue their work with the
opposition even if it means that they will have to wait for
the regime to fall before their family can be reunited.
Visitors going to the home of RDM at any time of day still
encounter youths and members of various opposition groups
from all parts of Cuba staying there temporarily.


2. (C) CRACKDOWN ON PEDI-CAB DRIVERS: Activists and
independent labor union leaders report that on February 12
the police handed out fines of up to 500 pesos to as many as
70 pedi-cab drivers in central Havana. The police
confiscated their vehicles and destroyed them at the police
station. According to Aurelio Bachiller, General Secretary
of CONIC, the largest umbrella organization of independent
trade unions in Cuba, the pedi-cab drivers have the strongest
independent union on the island and are frequent targets of
police harassment. He stated that many drivers are people
who came from the provinces desperately seeking work.
Bachiller also reported that the authorities frequently
refuse licenses to any persons they suspect of political or
labor activities. He also remarked that he is sure the
police took for themselves the tires and any valuable parts
before disposing of the confiscated vehicles


3. (C) TRIAL OF HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST POSTPONED: On
February 20 the Municipal Court of San Miguel del Padron
postponed the trial of Juan Antonio Bermudez Toranzo, Vice
President of the Cuban Foundation of Human Rights, for "lack
of witnesses". A new trial date is set for March 4. His
family states that on November 21, 2007 "dozens" of police
and state security agents violently seized him in his home in
the Cambute neighborhood on the outskirts of Havana. Toranzo
was held for months without charges until the Court recently
charged him with "creating a public disorder", an accusation
firmly denied by the family.


4. (U) GOVERNMENT STATES IT WILL INVESTIGATE PRISON ABUSE:
According to pro-democracy activist, Martha Beatriz Roque
the Military Court of Camaguey, made an official notification
that it will investigate allegations of torture and "cruel
and inhuman" treatment filed by prisoners at Prison Kilometer
7 in Camaguey Province. The prisoners made their accusations
in writing on January 15. Members of Cuban civil society do
not recall any previous allegations being the subject of an
official investigation.




PARMLY