Prayer and fasting for freedom in Cuba

Havana, Cuba, Dec 10, 2003 / 22:00 pm

In order to mark the International Day of Human Rights, political prisoners and their family members held a day of fasting and prayer this Wednesday in Cuba for freedom and democratic change in the country.

Various dissident and opposition groups took part in the initiative, which included a series of vigils and activities to denounce the treatment of Cuba’s political prisoners.

In Havana, family members of political prisoners met for 12 hours in the home of the wife of dissident Héctor Palacios for a day of fasting and the reading of Scripture.

Palacio’s wife, Gisela Delgado, said, “We are united with our family members who are unjustly imprisoned.  We will be joined by various human rights leaders, political movements and parties, journalists and independent librarians.”

“The Cuban government,” she continued, “wants to win over international opinion, but we will not be silenced by threats and attempts to divide us.  The only solution for the regime is to grant us freedom.”

Political prisoners from four Cuban facilities took part in the initiative, as well.  8 dissidents who were sentenced to long prison terms last April sent a letter saying “although prison rules do not allow fasting, wherever we are…we will be fasting on December 10.” 

Cuban exile leaders in Miami, Italy, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Costa Rica and Dominican Republic, announced their participation in the day of fasting as well.