International Pro-Democracy Leaders Support Cuban Activist Antúnez as Fast Protest Enters 66th Day
By Cuban Democratic Directorate

Miami. April 23, 2009. Cuban Democratic Directorate.  Dozens of pro-democracy and human rights leaders and advocates from five continents have signed a letter expressing their support for leading Cuban opposition activist Jorge Luis Garcia Pérez “Antúnez” and his fellow fasters as they lead a protest in Placetas, Central Cuba, it was revealed at a Miami press conference. The protest, which began as a hunger strike on February 17 and shifted to a liquid fast on March 15 of this year, seeks to draw international attention to torture committed against political prisoners in Cuba, the acute housing crisis on the Island which has been worsened by recent hurricane strikes, and to demand the Cuban regime publish international human rights agreements signed by the country in state media.

“It is evident to us, from the amount of support that your hunger strike and continued protest have received inside and outside Cuba, as well as from other activities that are taking place on the island, that the pro-democracy movement has entered a new stage of resistance… For the love of human freedom, we urge you to take care of your health so that alongside your compatriots, you may be better prepared to lead the Cuban people in this new and extraordinary stage in their pursuit of liberty,” stated the document.

The document, issued by the National Endowment for Democracy, the World Movement for Democracy and the Cuban Democratic Directorate, recognizes the key role being played in Cuba’s democratic Resistance by a new generation of leaders who have been born and raised under the Castro Regime. Antúnez’s protest has also won the support of hundreds of Cubans not involved in the freedom movement in any formal way.

“Antúnez represents the future of Cuba. His courage and genuine patriotism should command the respect of all Americans as we seek a new relationship with the Cuban people,” stated Carl Gershman, President of the National Endowment for Democracy.

Former Cuban political prisoners and Cuban community leaders gathered at the press conference to lend their support to the document and to the grueling protest in Cuba as it entered its 66^th day. Among those present was Huber Matos, a leader of the anti-Batista uprising in Cuba who was sentenced to 20 years in prison by the Castro regime for his opposition to totalitarianism.

“We are gladdened that the international community is expressing its support for the fasters and the new phase of civic resistance inside Cuba that they represent. Young people in Cuba must have the support of the world in their struggle for democracy in our country,” said Matos.

A dozen leaders from African countries led the list of signatories, among them Eddie Jarwolo, founding director of the National Youth Movement for Transparent Elections–Partners for Democratic Development in Liberia; Justice Mukete Tahle Itoe of Cameroon, the Secretary General of the Global Network for Good Governance, an anti-corruption, good governance organization; and Anyakwee Nsirimovu, Executive Director of the Institute for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law in Nigeria, who has faced persecution for his anti-corruption activism.

“I call on the Cuban government to uphold the idea of multi party democracy underpinned by the proliferation of divergent political views and alternatives beginning with the manifest tolerance of opposition politicians and the show of concern and respect for the dignity of vulnerable Cuban people as an obligation of the government and not a favor, or option,” stated Eddie Jarwolo.

Signatories from Latin America also offered strong support to Cuba’s democratic Resistance.

“Without freedom there is neither dignity nor human rights. I stand in full solidarity with the struggle of Antúnez and his colleagues for freedom, dignity, and human rights in Cuba,” stated Óscar Álvarez Araya from Costa Rica, of the Foundation for the Democratic Union of the Pacific.

To read the letter visit: www.wmd.org/documents/Antunez.pdf

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Directorio Democrático Cubano
P.O. Box 110235
Hialeah, Florida 33011
Tel. 305-220-2713
info@directorio.org

In Memory of Mario Manuel de la Peña