You may know Cuban human rights activist Darsi Ferrer, who was arrested earlier this week, as a doctor. But he also is a journalist, reporting for the world on the realities of the Cuban health care system and other human rights issues.
Reporters Without Borders, one of the more vocal defenders of Cuban independent journalists, is demanding the Castro dictatorship release Ferrer:
Ferrer, a medical doctor, has been jailed at the Valle Grande prison, west of the capital, Havana. He is well known for his reports on the state of the Cuban health system and the plight of political prisoners.
Ferrer, head of the Juan Bruno Zayas centre, was officially arrested for attempting to illegally acquire building materials for his house in Havana which is in a poor state of repair. He and his wife, Yusnaymi Jorge Soca, were prevented from leaving their home for 12 hours on 9 July the day they planned a peaceful march in the capital dubbed “The journey of a lifetime”. Several activists were arrested a few hours before the start of the demonstration.
“The completely absurd reasons given for his Ferrer’s arrest will obviously not fool anyone. It is a new ploy to silence a dissident voice and a particularly important one,” the worldwide press freedom organisation said. “There are worrying signs, that against a background of a fresh crackdown, his transfer to jail could mean the start of a prolonged period of imprisonment”, the organisation added.
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