Relatives of the Cuban Five accuse the US of violating their rights

Prensa Latina

Havana, May 11.- The family members of five Cubans imprisoned in the United States as political prisoners denounced the US government for violating their rights by preventing them from visiting their loved ones in jail.

The hearing was held last night at the Havana Conference Center with the participation of diplomats accredited in Cuba, lawmakers, representatives of social and public institutions, national and foreign personalities, students and the media.

It was called to discuss the case of Gerardo Hernandez, Antonio Guerrero, Rene Gonzalez, Ramon Labañino and Fernando Gonzalez who are serving tough prison sentences, from 15 years to double life imprisonment, in the United States for protecting Cuban and US citizens from terrorism, but groups in Miami with influence in Washington have given the case a political twist.

Rosa Aurora Freijanes, wife of Fernando Gonzalez, told the audience about the obstacles the US authorities have put up to keep them from visiting the prisoners.

The visas that the US Department of State should grant are sometimes rejected or delayed or given separately.

Freijanes said the families of the Cuban Five are suffering a psychological trauma because they do not know when and if they are going to see them again.

Rene´s mother, Irma Sehwerert, said they are not allowed to request humanitarian visas to travel to the US and must go to the US Interest Section in Havana to apply for a regular visa in the normal process, which means a delay in paperwork.

When we get to the US airport we are detained up to three hours and some times we are able to see our sons in prison because they have been confined to solitary without any reason.

Also attending the hearing was Lawyer Leonard Weinglass, renowned for the defense of the Chicago 8, Mumia Abu-Jamal, Angela Davis and Jane Fonda. He spoke in details about the case and pointed out that it has not had the same coverage on the media compared to less relevant cases such as signer Michael Jackson´s or basketball player Kobe Bryant´.

Other speakers in the hearing included the Speaker of the Cuban National Assembly, Ricardo Alarcón; the Chairman of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the People, Sergio Corrieri, and Deputy Foreign Minister Fernando Remírez.