Increased detentions raise alarm in Cuba

Increased detentions raise alarm in Cuba
Friday, June 15, 2012

HAVANA, Cuba (AFP) — An opposition group in Cuba voiced alarm yesterday
at what it said was a disturbing upward trend in the number of people
being detained for political reasons on the Communist-ruled island.

"In May 2012 we verified at least 423 arbitrary detentions for political
reasons, a greater number than in the corresponding month for the
previous two years (120 in 2010 and 349 in 2011), which shows a worrying
trend," the Cuban Commission for Human Rights and National
Reconciliation said.

Arbitrary detentions, which ranged from several hours to several days,
totalled 3,218 between January and May, more than the 2,074 in all of
2010, said the group, which is illegal but tolerated by Cuba's rulers.

More than 57,000 people are in jail in Cuba, the Communist Party daily
Granma said last month, in a rare comment on prison population data in
the Americas' only one-party Communist-ruled country.

The commission estimates the prison population at around 70,000-80,000,
including about 50 political prisoners, in a country of 11.2 million people.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Increased-detentions-raise-alarm-in-Cuba_11705723