Front Line is deeply concerned following reports that insufficient medical assistance is being provided for human rights defender Normando Hernández González, detained in solitary confinement. Normando Hernández González is the director of the Colegio de Periodistas Independientes de Camagüey (School of Independent Journalists of Camagüey). On 24 March 2003, he was arrested for his pro-democracy work as part of a series of arrests of activists termed the Grupo de 75 (Group of 75).
further Information
Posted 09/06/2008 On 7 May 2008, Normando Hernández González was transferred from the Hospital Militar Carlos J Finlay (Carlos J Finlay Military Hospital) to an isolated prison cell in Prisión Kilo 7 (Kilo 7 Prison). Although his health is very bad he is not receiving sufficient medical attention and his family is rarely granted permission to visit. He suffers from a gastrointestinal disorder; severe malnutrition; chronic headaches; arterial hypertension; loss of vision; and nausea. In addition, early in 2007, he tested positive for tuberculosis. These conditions have worsened since his detention and some of his health problems have arisen during his detention, indicating that the conditions in which he is being held are a factor in his deteriorating health. Front Line is concerned about the conditions in which Normando Hernández González is being detained and the possibility that he is being subject to ill-treatment while in detention.
On 24 March 2003, Normando Hernández González was arrested with seventy-five journalists and librarians who were working for the promotion of democracy in Cuba. On 4 April 2003 he was sentenced to twenty-five years' imprisonment in the prisons of Kilo 5 ½ and Kilo 7, accused of crimes “against the independence and territorial integrity of the state”. Twenty of the prisoners have been released but under conditions which mean that they could be imprisoned again at any time.
On 21 April 2008, a peaceful protest organised by the Damas de Blanco (Women in White) for the release of those of the Grupo de 75 who are still in detention, was reportedly violently broken-up by security forces. Damas de Blanco, an organisation of relatives of the Grupo de 75, was trying to deliver a letter to the Minister of the Interior, Alberdo Colomé Ibarra, in order to organise a meeting to negotiate the release of the prisoners. Several of the women suffered physical injuries as a result of the violent way in which the protest was dispersed.
Front Line believes that the detention of and the lack of medical assistance provided for Normando Hernández González are related to his legitimate work in defence of human rights, in particular his pro-democracy work in Cuba. Front Line is concerned that this is part of an ongoing trend of harassment against human rights defenders in Cuba. Front Line is concerned for the physical and psychological integrity of Normando Hernández González while in detention.
Action Finished:
This Urgent Appeal has now ended. No further action is requested at this point. Thank you for taking action on this case.
Front Line issues Urgent Appeals on behalf of human rights defenders at risk on a daily basis. These Appeals normally remain active on our web site for a period of up to six weeks, depending on the situation. After this time they will be archived. Front Line maintains a watching brief on all these cases but no further action is requested after the six weeks, unless there is a significant development in the case.
