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CUBA: Prisoner of conscience being transferred to Havana in critical condition after 76 days on hunger strike
By Cuban Democratic Directorate

Zapata Tamayo’s mother calls for new nonviolent actions to save her son’s life

Camagüey. February 16, 2010. Cuban Democratic Directorate. Cuban prisoner of conscience Orlando Zapata Tamayo is being transferred to Havana from Camagüey’s Amalia Simoni Hospital due to his critical state of health, State Security agents informed Zapata Tamayo’s family today. Zapata Tamayo is in the 76th day of a hunger strike in protest against beatings, harsh treatment and other abuses he endures as a prisoner under the Castro regime, and demanding respect for his human rights.

 

According to his stepfather, José Ortiz Molina Zapata Tamayo is in critical condition and his family holds the Havana regime responsible for what may happen to him.

 

“It was decided by the doctors to transfer him to Havana, to the National Hospital, because they say his condition is critical and they are not able to resolve his case here. I told them his mom should go with them, but they do not authorize her to go,” stated Ortiz by telephone to the Cuban Democratic Directorate.

 

State Security agents have been a constant presence during Zapata Tamayo’s hospitalization. The Castro regime’s political police officers have denied Tamayo Danger contact with her son on repeated occasions, even refusing her a space on the ambulance taking Zapata Tamayo to Havana today.

 

“They took him, under guard, to the degree that not one more person could fit in the ambulance, and they did not allow me to go with my son… There were I don’t know how many police cars. For State Security officers, there was enough room in the ambulance to take my son away,” stated Tamayo Danger, audibly emotional.

 

In a statement given on Tuesday morning, February 16, Tamayo Danger launched an emergency appeal for her son, who is in the 76th day of a hunger strike demanding respect for his human rights.

 

“I appeal to the world to place a firm hand on Cuba so that my son may not die, a speedy solution for this man who will die in Castro’s prisons. My son is about to lose his life seeking democracy and freedom for the Cuban people,” stated Tamayo Danger from Camagüey, where Zapata Tamayo had been admitted to Amalia Simoni Hospital until Tuesday afternoon.

 

According to Tamayo Danger, Zapata Tamayo’s condition has worsened in recent days. His symptoms include swelling of the intestines, very low hemoglobin levels, unstable blood sugar levels and vomiting. While Zapata Tamayo was being loaded onto the ambulance, Tamayo Danger was able to observe that he wore an oxygen mask and was not covered with so much as a blanket.

 

“My son is being murdered, and this has been premeditated by State Security. The military personnel of Camagüey kept him from drinking water for 18 days so he would end the strike, but my son is standing firm,” stated Tamayo Danger.

 

Zapata Tamayo’s case has received important demonstrations of solidarity in different parts of Cuba, including a national sit-in chain in December and vigils in February, both organized by the National Civic Resistance and Civil Disobedience Front. In recent weeks, several demonstrations and marches took place in Camagüey championing Zapata Tamayo’s cause. Tamayo Danger called for additional nonviolent actions to save her son’s life.

 

“So that the world might hear me, I ask for solidarity from our brothers [fellow Cubans]; that they launch themselves along with this mother; that they call for Orlando Zapata Tamayo’s freedom; that they not be afraid of blows, because it is worthier to die upright than to die kneeling,” stated Tamayo Danger.

 

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