Cuban opposition leaders create rapporteur council to denounce human rights violations

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Cuban opposition leaders create rapporteur council to denounce human rights violations
By Cuban Democratic Directorate

Over forty activists meet in Havana to create the Human Rights Rapporteur Council of Cuba. FOTO EFE/Stringer

Havana, May 14, 2007. More than forty well-known Cuban opposition leaders and former political prisoners met in Havana to announce the creation of the Human Rights Rapporteur Council of Cuba.

According to statements given to the Cuban Democratic Directorate by newly elected president Margarito Broche Espinosa, the Council’s objective is to monitor and report human rights violations in Cuba. It seeks to persuade the Cuban government to cease human rights abuses against the Cuban people and to respect the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Jorge Luis García Perez “Antúnez,” a recently released political prisoner present at the event stated: “This activity constitutes a further commitment to the cause of human rights, to the release of all political prisoners and for democracy and respect for human rights in our country.”

According to human rights activist Juan Carlos Gonzalez Leiva, the organization has over 70 members throughout the island and its leaders were democratically elected. Margarito Broche Espinosa was chosen as president, and former political prisoner Roberto de Miranda as vice president. Gonzalez Leiva also stated that three regional vice presidencies were created. From east to west, Rolando Rodriguez Lobaina, Guillermo Fariñas Hernandez and Juan Francisco Sigler Amaya, will occupy these positions..

The defense of human rights in Cuba is at the root of the opposition movement on the island. “This Council will serve as an important support in improving the efforts of internal dissident movement in Cuba and aiding its development,” concluded Broche Espinosa.

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