Pedro Argüelles Morán

Location: Cuba

 

Pedro Argüelles Morán was the editor of Cooperativa Avilena de Periodistas Independientes (CAPI) and a contributor to CubaPress, Cuba Free Press and Nueva Prensa, all independent publications that are known to be critical of former President Fidel Castro's regime. He was arrested on 18 March 2003 as part of a crackdown on alleged dissidents in Cuba, now known as the Black Spring.  

Following the one-day trial on 3/4 April 2003, which was held behind closed doors and for which he was not given sufficient time to put together a cogent defence, Pedro Argüelles Morán was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment under Cuban Law No.88.

 

For Argüelles, who had begun working as a journalist eleven years before his arrest, in 1992, this was not the first time that he had been in trouble with the regime. He had already been detained a number of times by the Cuban police, and in 1998 he was charged with "affront" for having attempted to smuggle information on human rights violations from the prison where he was then detained for political activities. No trial ever took place, but he knew that he faced the possibility of a two-year prison sentence at any moment. 

 

As is often the case with political prisoners, for whom guards reportedly reserve their worst treatment, Argüelles' health has deteriorated significantly over the five years of his detention. According to our information, he has suffered from cataracts in both eyes, which has left him practically blind. In addition, he has reportedly suffered from inflammation of the liver and has lost a great deal of weight. In April 2007, he was transferred to hospital for treatment for cataracts, during which time he was also diagnosed with severe arthritis and a benign tumour of the prostate.

 

Having been transferred from prison to prison several times, he was most recently reported to be being held at Canaleta prison in Ciego de Avila. It has been reported that throughout his detention he has not only been denied access to visitors, but also to the medicine that his family have brought to the prison on his behalf. On 16 June 2007, he went on a hunger strike in order to gain access to this medicine.

 

English PEN firmly believes that his conviction and continued detention are in violation of international human rights standards, particularly Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Cuba signed in February 2008. We therefore continue to urge that, at the very least, he is treated more humanely for the remainder of his detention, that he is provided with the necessary medical attention and granted full access to his family and lawyers. Nonetheless, we maintain that the only truly humane and just solution in this case, and for all those unlawfully arrested in March 2003, is to release him unconditionally.

Please send appeals:

 

- Expressing serious concern for the well-being of Pedro Argüelles Morán;
- Urging that he is provided with the necessary medical attention and granted full access to his family and lawyers;
- Calling for the authorities to grant his immediate and unconditional release in accordance with international human rights standards.

Appeals to:

 

Head of State and Government
Raúl Castro Ruz
Presidente
La Habana, Cuba

 

Dr. Juan Escalona Reguera
Fiscal General de la República
Fiscalía General de la República
San Rafael 3
La Habana, Cuba

 

General Abelardo Colomé Ibarra
Ministro del Interior y Prisiones
Ministerio del Interior
Plaza de la Revolución
La Habana, Cuba

 

Sr. Felipe Pérez Roque
Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores
Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, Calzada No. 360
Vedado, La Habana, Cuba

 

It may be easier to send your appeals via the Cuban representative in London:

 

HE René J. Mujica Cantelar
167 High Holborn
London
WC1 6PA