UN rights chief urges Cuba to halt harassment of activists and respect
human rights
15 December 2015 – The top United Nations human rights official
expressed concern today over the extremely high number of arbitrary
arrests and short-term detentions of individuals, including human rights
defenders and dissidents, in Cuba in recent weeks.
"There have been many hundreds of arbitrary arrests and short-term
detentions – which in my view amount to harassment – in the past six
weeks alone, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein
said today.
These often take place without a warrant and ahead of specific meetings
or demonstrations, and seem to be aimed at preventing people from
exercising their right to freedom of expression and to peaceful
assembly, he continued.
Mr. Zeid was particularly shocked that a number of people, including
members of the Ladies in White non-governmental organization, were
arrested on 10 December, Human Rights Day.
"This shows an extraordinary disdain for the importance of human rights
on the part of the Cuban authorities," he said.
The High Commissioner urged the authorities to respect everyone's right
to freedom of expression, and to peaceful assembly and association, and
to stop arbitrarily arresting people, in particular before, during or
after peaceful demonstrations.
"I call for the release of all those arbitrarily arrested who may still
be in detention as a consequence of the legitimate exercise of their
rights," Mr. Zeid concluded.
Source: United Nations News Centre - UN rights chief urges Cuba to halt
harassment of activists and respect human rights -
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=52820#.VnF33PkrLjY
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