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German federal minister Schröder takes on sponsorship of political prisoner in Cuba
By International Society for Human Rights

IGFM: Great symbol of universally valid human rights

Frankfurt/ Berlin (26. Juni 2012)- The German federal minister for family, seniors, women and youth Dr. Kristina Schröder showed a big sign for support of human rights by taking on a political sponsorship for the imprisoned Cuban civil rights activist and member of the “Ladies in White” (“Damas de Blanco”) Niurka Luque Álvarez. “Human rights need advocates who multiply the cause and convince as many supporters and activists as possible. Ignorance and lack of engagement act as direct support for human rights abuses. In contrary, public pressure helps to reduce suffering and to open prison doors” said the minister. Niurka Luque Álvarez was imprisoned during a protest rally on March 17, 2012. Until today, no official charge has been brought against her. Additionally, she suffers from strong epilepsy; however, the Department of Corrections refuses providing her with the necessary medications. According to the Internationale Gesellschaft für Menschenrechte (International Society for Human Rights, IGFM), the Ladies Women in White have constantly suffered from the Castro-regime´s repressions since their foundation in 2003. Until the release of the Iranian regime critic Atefeh Navabi, Schröder has been her political sponsor. On March 17, 2012, Niurka Luque Álvarez, together with the Ladies in White, organized a protest march through Havana to commemorate the ninth anniversary of a big wave of arrests of dissidents of the so called “black spring”. Numerous civil rights activists have been imprisoned; Niurka Luque Álvarez and Sonia Garro Álfonso, also members of the Ladies in White, are still in prison. Niurka Luque Álvarez was first sent to Havana´s El Guatoa-prison but after some days, she was transferred to Havana´s infamous womens´ prison “Manto Negro”, where many political prisoners are imprisoned. Niurka Luque is in an isolation cell, a so-called “penalty-cell” with especially bad hygienic conditions. Because of the denial of urgently needed medication, her physical condition became much worse in prison. According to her 19-year-old daughter, she suffers from several epileptic seizures a day. Due to the limited medical supply, she is forced to take a high risk of self-injury. She already has many blood effusions on her head because she hits her head against objects in her cell during her epileptic seizures. In the framework of the IGFM-political sponsorship program, prominent politicians take on sponsorships for political prisoners in Cuba and Iran. IGFM-spokesman of the board, Martin Lessenthin, emphasizes: “Dr. Schröder´s dedication for Cuban prisoners shows her great solidarity with human rights. Although Niurka Luque Álvarez is only one case of many – there are numerous political prisoners in Cuba – a political sponsorship like this helps to raise the public awareness towards the human rights situation in Cuba. Many prisoners live under inhuman conditions. Massive physical and psychological violence are part of their everyday life. A political sponsorship, as taken on by the German federal minister Dr. Kristina Schröder, offers public attention and therefore protection to the persecuted regime critics.” Schröders iranian “god child” Atefeh Nabavi was released from the infamous Evin-prison on 31th May 2012. Further information on IGFM http://www.ishr.org/home.220.0.html Further information on human rights situation in Cuba http://www.ishr.org/Detailansicht.697+M5e77c03a25b.0.html

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