Uncommon Sense

Continuing torrid pace of repression, Cuban police make at least 632 political arrests in August

 

Cuban police and security forces in August made at least 632 politically-motivated arrests across the island, according to an independent human rights monitor.

That was the lowest monthly count so far in 2014 but enough to continue a torrid pace of repression by the Castro dictatorship.

The arrests recorded last month by the Cuban Commission for Human Rights and Reconciliation brought the total for the year 7,188, which is 764 more than recorded in all of 2013; and 586 more than in 2012, the previous record year for repression in Cuba.

At its current pace of 899 arrests per month, the year could end with as many as 11,000 political arrests.

The enormity of the numbers aside, nothing in the human rights commission's latest report suggests the regime is loosening its iron grip on the population, especially those Cubans who dare oppose it publically.

The August count was the lowest montly tally so far this year, but the 632 arrests recorded were 85 more than the commission reported in August 2013.

The human rights commission also reported that it had recorded in August at least 138 instances where police or security officers -- or common goons in their employ -- had physically assaulted opposition activists.

Read the whole report, and details of each arrest recorded in August, here.

Castro regime lies to Cuban political prisoner Marcelino Abreu, fails to release him as promised

Marcelino Abreu Bonora

Lying, whether to the Cuban people or to the world, is a basic currency of the Castro dictatorship so it is no surprise that the regime broke a promise to release political prisoner Marcelino Abreu Bonora in the month of August.

That was the deal the regime's agents made with Abreu late last year in a bid to convince him to end a lengthy hunger strike.

"He waited with hope, but it was a new deception by the authorities of the Cuban regime," Angelica Mora wrote in an update posted by the Cuban Institute for Freedom of Expression and of the Press.

I have written about Abreu, a veteran of the Castro gulag, several times before, whether it's documenting how he was arrested and sent to prison or how he continued his fight against the Castro dictatorship by going on hunger strike.

Abreu was arrested Aug. 13, 2012 -- Fidel Castro's birthday -- after the police caught him distributing anti-government leaflets and shouting anti-Castro slogans.

It wasn't until more than a year later, on Aug. 29, 2013, that Abreu was tried, convicted of bogus charges of "assault," "public disorder" and "disrespecting" Fidel Castro -- as if he deserves more than disrespect -- and sentenced to 4 years in prison.

Cuban Political Prisoner of the Day, Alexander Otero Rodriguez, Sept. 2, 2014

Alexander Otero Rodriguez

The Cuban Commission on Human Rights and National Reconciliation reported lin June that by its count, there are currently at least 114 political prisoners in Cuban jails, up from 102 at the end of 2013. (Read the list of prisoners here.)

Uncommon Sense is attempting to honor these brave Cubans by sharing their names and little about their respective stories. Ever since I started this blog, I have felt it vital to remember their names, names the regime would rather have the world never know. That is the only way to fully grasp the injustices they are suffering.

Today's prisoner is Alexander Otero Rodriguez.

Otero, an activist with the Patriotic Union of Cuba, was arrested along with activist/rap singer Angel Yunier Remon Arazuaga. or "El Critico," on March 26, 2013, in the city of Bayamo. Prosecutors have charged Otero with "assault," and recommended a 7-year prison sentence.

The Patriotic Union of Cuba, or UNPACU, is one of the largest and most active opposition groups in Cuba. Dozens of its members are political prisoners in Cuban jails.

The tortures continue for imprisoned Cuban activist/rap singer El Critico

Angel Yunier Remon Arzuaga

Every day he is held in a Cuban prison without getting his day in court -- even if it is a Castro court -- is a day of torture for political prisoner Angel Yunier Remon Arzuaga, the activist and rap singer known as "El Critico."  It's just that some days are worse than others.

For example, in a recent telephone call to the Hablemos Press news agency Remon described how 10 guards grabbed him from his cell, splashed his eyes with pepper spray, bound his arms and then forcibly shaved his face and cut his hair.

Remon has been imprisoned for more than 17 months without trial since his arrest on March 26, 2013, during a police raid on his home. Prosecutors have charged him with "assault" and asked for an 8-year prison