Madrid, Spain, May 12, 2009 / 18:09 pm
Representatives of the Christian Liberation Movement in Spain have denounced the harassment that its members are suffering in Cuba due to the growing acceptance of the Varela Project by Cubans.
In a statement, the movement pointed to the recent harassment of its coordinator, Oswaldo Paya, during his visit to Cienfuegos and the Eastern region of Cuba, as well as the arrest of other members such as Agustin Cervantes and Jose Alba Castro. They also mentioned and the harassment of “the home of the father of Paya’s wife, Ofelia Acevedo. Her father is in the terminal stages of cancer.”
The movement also denounced the arrest of Minervo Chil Siret, who was fingerprinted, photographed and accused of collaborating with foreign governments against the Cuban state.
Upon his release, state security agents warned him not to get involved with the Varela Project again and that if he did he would be formally charged with violating the law.
“This situation is very serious and dangerous,” the movement stated, “and we want to alert the international community, government officials and human rights organizations and institutions of this new slight-of-hand by Cuban officials who seek to close the door to peaceful change with the power they hold.”