Front Line Defenders is deeply saddened by news received of the death of human rights defender Mr Wilman Villar Mendoza who died on 18 January 2012 in hospital in Santiago de Cuba following 50 days on hunger strike.

Wilman Villar Mendoza was a member of human rights group Unión Patriótica de Cuba - UMPACU (Patriotic Union of Cuba). He was detained following his participation in a peaceful protest on 14 November 2011 and went on hunger strike in protest against his unjust imprisonment.

On 18 January 2012, at approximately 18:45 pm, Wilman Villar Mendoza died at Juan Bruno Zayas Hospital in Santiago de Cuba from multiple organ failure as a result of generalised sepsis.

He had been transferred from Aguadores prison to the hospital four days previously. Wilman Villar Mendoza had been arrested and beaten following his participation in a peaceful protest in the town of Contramaestre on 14 November 2011 and was reportedly told by police that he would be imprisoned if he did not leave UMPACU.

On 25 November 2011 he was sentenced to four years in prison on charges of “refusing to obey an official”, “resistance“ and “assault” following what he described as a “judicial farce”. The same day he began a hunger strike in order to protest against his incarceration and to demand his release. While in prison he was placed in an isolated, damp punishment cell, stripped naked and deprived of water and medical assistance.

According to information received, his widow, Martiza Pelegrino Cabrales has been refused the right to see her husband's body. She is also a human rights defender and a member of the Damas de Blanco (Ladies in White), a human rights organisation which calls for the release of political prisoners in Cuba. Prior to Wilman Villar Mendoza's death, police had told her that if she left the “Ladies in White”, they would release her husband. However, he was already gravely ill at that stage and she refused.

Cuban officials have reportedly embarked on a wave of repression following Wilman Villar Mendoza's death. On 20 January, eight members of the Damas de Blanco, plus six other activists were allowed to attend the wake in the eastern city of Contramaestre, whilst a further six activists waiting outside were arrested. It is reported that activists protesting following news of the death were violently arrested by State Security agents in the eastern city of Palma Soriano. In Havana, State Security officials prevented human rights defenders from signing a book of condolences at the Damas de Blanco headquarters in the home of Laura Pollan, the founder of the organisation who died on 14 October 2011.

Front Line Defenders urges the authorities in Cuba to:

1. Carry out an immediate, thorough and impartial investigation into the cruel and inhuman treatment of Wilman Villar Mendoza in prison, with a view to publishing the results and bringing those responsible to justice in accordance with international standards;

2. Take measures to guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of the family of Wilman Villar Mendoza, and that of all members of UMPACU and the “Ladies in White”;

3. Guarantee in all circumstances that human rights defenders in Cuba are able to carry out their legitimate and peaceful human rights activities and exercise their right to freedom of association and assembly without fear of reprisals and free of all restrictions, including judicial harassment.