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Obama Calls for the Release of All Cuban Dissidents
February 25, 2011
By: Chinyelu Odunze | Printer Friendly

On the first anniversary of the death of Cuban opposition leader Orlando Zapata Tamayo, United States President Barack Obama called for the immediate and unconditional release of all jailed dissidents in Cuba.  Tamayo died after a hunger strike, in which he fasted for over 80 days.

According to BBC News, Obama said Tamayo’s death had drawn the world's attention to "the ongoing mistreatment of those unjustly held by Cuban authorities.”  Obama's criticism followed similar sentiments by Amnesty International denouncing Cuba for its treatment of Zapata's mother, Reina Luisa Tamayo, who was detained for about 12 hours last week in her hometown of Banes, in eastern Cuba for commemorating her son’s legacy.

So far, there has been no reaction from the Cuban authorities.  According to the Associated Press, Cuba considers the dissidents to be US-hired mercenaries paid to destabilize the country.  The Cuban government says its doctors did everything they could to keep Zapata alive during his fast.

According to BBC News, Obama wrote the following in a White House statement: "The Cuban people must know that their suffering does not go unnoticed and that the United States remains unwavering in our commitment to defend the inalienable right of the Cuban people to enjoy the freedoms that define the Americas and that are universal to all human beings."

Since Zapata's death, the Cuban government has released many of its political prisoners. It has freed 46 activists, intellectuals and social commentators that were arrested in a 2003 crackdown.  The six remaining detainees that were arrested in that sweep are considered to be "prisoners of conscience" by Amnesty International.  Obama credited Zapata and the Cuban opposition group the Damas de Blanco (translation: Ladies in White) for forcing the government of President Raul Castro to let the prisoners go, and called on Cuba to continue the releases.

For previous news on Cuba, please see:
Cuba Releases Political Prisoners

Sources:
AP -  Obama Denounces Cuba’s Treatment of Dissidents

BBC News - Barack Obama Urges Releases of Cuban Dissidents

U.S. Department of State - One Year Commemoration of Orlando Zapata Tamayo’s Death