Orlando Zapata Tamayo

Acto Patriotico En Echo Park, Los Angeles

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Por la libertad de Cuba, Zapata Vive y el Asesinato de Hermanos al Rescate

2-24-11-2
(Click twice to enlarge)

Friends from the Los Angeles based Cuban run periodico, 20 de Mayo, serving the local community since 1969, created the wonderful collage of photos shown above.   The link to this weeks fine edition is here.

If you look close you´ll see yours truly as well as my personal, and Babalu friends Henry Agueros, and Zelde.  It was a great afternoon, and I’m pleased to report that no Che lovers made an appearance.

Markitos posted a two part video of the event at YouTube, here is Part 1.


Part 2 is here.

Huge thanks to Abel Perez, and Markitos.

Open letter to the directors of all accredited media in La Habana

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Dear Sir or Madam:

We write to you worried about the police and paramilitary harassment denounced from Banes, a small town in the Cuban province of Holguín, by Reina Luisa Tamayo. She is the mother of Orlando Zapata Tamayo the prisoner of conscience who died on 23 February after a prolonged hunger strike that up to its tragic and fatal outcome had little coverage in the international press.

Every Sunday, we receive, mostly through phone interviews broadcast by the US-based Radio Martí, the same report from Reina Luisa describing how she is beaten, insulted and how [the government directed mob] prevents her from going to the town’s church to pray for her son and the health of all Cuban political prisoners still in jail. The repressive organs of the Cuban regime also impede her to visit her son’s tomb.

It is surprising to us that despite the wide coverage dedicated to Cuban topics, your organization has not reported on this. We know of the limitations to movement within Cuba, but we also understand that any foreign reporter has the means and resources to travel to the Eastern part of the island and give an eyewitness report of what happens there, in front of Reina Luisa Tamayo’s home.

We do not wish to tell the media what they should do, but to share with you our concern for the life of a woman who has lost her son in unjust circumstances and is clamoring for the world’s help to avoid more deaths.

We, the promoters of the #OZT: I accuse the Cuban government Campaign that demands the unconditional and immediate release of all peaceful political prisoners in Cuba and the respect of all Cubans’ human rights; write to you because we know that the international press in Cuba not only bears witness to what happens there, but can also help prevent and stop harassment incidents like those suffered by the Ladies in White in March of this year.

We would also like to know if there is any kind of legal hindrance or of any other sort that prevents your reporter in La Habana from traveling to other regions of Cuba.

We thank you in advance for your reply.

Sincerely,

#OZT: I accuse the Cuban government Campaign

DIRECCIONES DE MEDIOS DE ESPAÑA:

escribanos@bbc.co.uk ( en “asunto” poner “mensaje para BBC Mundo)
cartasdirector@elpais.es
cartas.director@elmundo.es
cartas@abc.es
internacional@abc.es
internacional@elmundo.es
espanaexterior@efe.es
iberoamerica@europapress.es
noticias@europapress.es
director@libertaddigital.com
internacional@larazon.es

CONTACTO CON LA OFICINA PRINCIPAL DE AMNISTIA INTERNACIONAL DE ESPANA:
Esteban Beltrán- Director Amnistía Internacional – Sección Española
Dirección Secretariado Estatal
Fernando VI, 8, 1º izda.28004 Madrid España
Teléfono
+ 34 902 119 133
+ 34 91 310 12 77 (información general)
Fax
+ 34 91 319 53 34
Correo- e info@es.http://www.facebook.com/l/d02a0t3Xy_KBspVEkowL6dP3OuQ;amnesty.org
Para Asociarte a Amnistia Internacional: http://www.facebook.com/l/d02a02250XAqSzyb5guRJFqS1xw;www.es.amnesty.org/inicio/

En español abajo/In Spanish below

Read more

Petition to release Orlando Zapata Tamayo

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Please sign this petition by clicking HERE:

I would like to bring to your attention the case of Orlando Zapata Tamayo, an imprisoned Cuban and human rights advocate. On a hunger strike since December 3, 2009, for purely requesting some of his most basic human rights, it appears Zapata Tamayo is on the brink of death, and we are requesting he receive the best medical attention possible immediately.

I am deeply concerned by recent reports of the substandard conditions of medical attention that Zapata Tamayo has received, as well as the conditions of his detention. He was reportedly deprived of water for 16 days by prison officials.

I strongly urge you to order the release of Orlando Zapata Tamayo and all other individuals who have been arrested and convicted on the basis of their peaceful political activities and their efforts to promote and protect basic human rights in Cuba.

According to the 1998 UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, which Cuba actively participated in drafting and passing, all persons have the right to effective access to participation in the government of their country and in the conduct of public affairs. The Declaration also provides that everyone has the right “freely to publish, impart or disseminate to others views, information and knowledge on all human rights and fundamental freedoms.” The important work of Cuban human rights defenders should be recognized by the government and they should be supported rather than persecuted.

While they remain in detention, I urge you to ensure that Orlando Zapata Tamayo is not subjected to further abuse and that his conditions of detention meet basic international standards. International human rights law requires that all persons held in detention are treated with humanity and dignity and that they are not subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. The Cuban government should ensure the application of the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners and the UN Body of Principles for the Protection of all Persons Under Any Form of Detention or Imprisonment, which further elaborate the basic standards to be achieved in ensuring respect for the rights of detainees.

I will continue to monitor these cases closely and appreciate your immediate attention to this important matter.

Petition:

We, CAUSA: Cubans United for a Free Cuba, call on the Cuban government to release Orlando Zapata Tamayo from prison.

Read more about Orlando Tamayo here, and in español here.