Guido Sigler Amaya
The daughter of Cuban political prisoner Guido Sigler Amaya — a former Uncommon Sense Political Prisoner of the Week — this week called on the international community to demand the release of her father, who she said is near death.
Yusleidy Sigler said her father, who on Saturday turns 54, suffers from variety of ailments — among them, cysts on his kidneys; hypertension; migraines; partial loss of vision; prostatitis; and chronic gastritis. She said his weight has dropped to less than 90 pounds, according to a report posted at Opositor Cubano.
During a recent visit in prison, Yusleidy said her father’s eyes were lifeless, and that he had difficulty talking and walking.
Apparently the “free” and “respected” Cuba health care we hear so much about has not done Guido Sigler any good. That’s if he has had any chance to get any of it.
There is no doubt about whom Yusleidy — who at 24, displays the spunk and courage that are hallmarks of the Sigler family — holds responsible for her father’s condition.
“It is criminal that with all of his illnesses, to keep in prison a man who the only thing he has done is think differently than the castroite military dictatorship. The communists do not have a conscience or feelings. They are full of hatred and revenge.”
Guido Sigler, vice president of the Alternative Option Independent Movement, was arrested during the “black spring” of 2003, and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Also jailed four years ago, were his brothers, Ariel, who was sentenced to 25 years; and Miguel, who was released after serving a 26-month sentence.
(H/T Misceláneas de Cuba)
(Cross-posted at Uncommon Sense)
UPDATED, June 6, 2007
Political activists in Villa Clara recently held a candlelight vigil, to pray for Sigler and to demand his release, according to a story by independent journalist Caridad Caballero Batista, posted at Payo Libre.
…an island on the net without a bearded dictator
