Like many other Cuban political prisoners and other dissidents, Rolando Núñez, 42, was a multi-tasker in the struggle for Cuban freedom.
He was a democracy and human rights activist, helping gather signatures for the Varela Project petitions.
He was a labor union leader, serving as official with the United Council of Cuban Workers.
He was an independent journalist, working as a correspondent for the Eastern Press Agency.
Singularly or collectively, each of his vocations might make him an enemy of the Castro dictatorship.
But the "crime" for which in 2002 Núñez was sentenced to 10 years in prison was much more serious: He was caught trying to leave Cuba. Such a rejection of what the Castro brothers have created in Cuba cannot be tolerated — especially by someone like Núñez, with the skills and credibility to tell the world the truth of life on the island.
Not much has been written about Núñez, including the particulars of his arrest and imprisonment (He was charged with piracy and illegal exit from the country.) However, this past January, Payo Libre reported that prison officials were denying Núñez needed medical attention.
And last September, Núñez wrote a report denouncing the poor conditions at his prison.
One of the surest indicators of the repressive nature of the Castro regime is the jailing of more than 300 political prisoners. To illustrate that reality, Uncommon Sense each week profiles one prisoner. There also is a Political Prisoner archive on the left sidebar. To suggest a prisoner for a profile, send me an e-mail.
For profiles of imprisoned Cuban journalists and related information, read the March 18 Project.
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