Miami. March 31, 2009. Cuban Democratic Directorate. Lawmakers and civil society figures have offered strong support to leading Cuban peaceful opposition activist Jorge Luis García Pérez, usually known as Antúnez, and strong criticism to the Cuban regime on human rights issues.

In a statement titled “Solidarity with Human Rights and Freedom for Cuba” leaders from Uruguay, Costa Rica, and Argentina declared their support for the “just demands” of the hunger strike begun on February 17th by Antúnez and fellow activists Iris Tamara Pérez Aguilera and Diosiris Santana Pérez, who are continuing to protest while on a liquid fast.

This international solidarity campaign in supprot of the Cuban Resistance is demanding respect for human rights in Cuba, the release of all political prisoners and a “democratic opening.”

“We demand of the international community, of political leaders and members of parliament, of democratic governments and organizations that promote freedoms and human rights, greater attention to the demands expressed by the strikers,” reads the statement, whose main proponent is Jaime Mario Trobo, a Uruguayan Member of Parliament for the National Party.

Below is the full text of the statement:

Statement on the Hunger Strike of Jorge Luis García Pérez,

Usually known as “Antúnez”

“Solidarity with Human Rights and Freedom for Cuba”

Since February 17th, leading opposition activist Jorge Luis García Pérez, usually known as “Antúnez,” together with two of his countrymen, are engaging in a Hunger Strike in Placetas, Villa Clara, Cuba with the goal of to demand respect for human rights, an end to torture and the release of political prisoners as well as a demcoratic opening in their Country.

This extreme effort, carried out in stoic fashion, with the goal of demanding attention to the serious problems in their country concerning human rights and freedoms is a call for the attention of the international community.

We are aware of this situation and we Express our solidarity with those just demands of respect for international human rights instruments, and an end to torture and mistreatment of political prisoners, recognized by prestigious organizations like Amnesty Interatniaonl, Reporters without Borders, the Interantional Labor Organization’s Committee on Freedom of Association, among others.

We demand of the international community, of political leaders and members of parliament, of democratic governments and organizations that promote freedoms and human rights, greater attention to the demands expressed by the strikers and we urge the Government of the Republic of Cuba to commit itself toward the integration of that Country into the community of nations that are democratic and respectful of Human Rights.

March 13, 2009.