Death of prisoner of conscience Orlando Zapata: An alarm call about the situation in Cuban jails

The Global Cuba Solidarity Movement condemns and regrets the death of Cuban activist Orlando Zapata Tamayo, after an 85-day hunger strike in defense of his rights as a political prisoner, and offers its condolences to his mother, Lady in White Reina Luisa Tamayo, and his remaining family members and friends.

Zapata, detained and unjustly convicted during the events of Cuba’s Black Spring, in March of 2003, on repeated occasions was subjected to cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment by the prison authorities. The political prisoner refused the use of the uniform of common prisoners and for this suffered torture and beatings, as his mother denounced in a recent video.

Zapata was part of the “Group of 75”, and had been recognized as a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International. Initially sentenced to three years in jail, his acts of “disrespect” and his protests in favor of human rights and his own rights led to consecutive sentences of dozens of years in prison. His death is evidence of the grave situation of civil rights in Cuba, in addition to the critical conditions in which Cuban political prisoners survive.

The Global Cuba Solidarity Movement unites in international protest against these acts, and demands the release of more than 200 political prisoners who remain in the dungeons of the current regime.

The Global Cuba Solidarity Movement is composed of organizations and individuals around the world who support freedom for Cubans through a democratic transition. The Movement is aimed at increasing the international consciousness and support of the growing Cuban movement of pro-democracy. Through these efforts, Cubans on the island who are fighting for their freedom know that they matter to the world and their cause is believed in. For more information about the Global Cuba Solidarity Movement, please visit: www.solidaridadcuba.org / Write to info@solidaridadcuba.org