Cuba: 'Amnistía Ya!' Pushes for Release of Political Prisoners

What Happened

The citizen platform ¡Amnistía Ya! has presented its "¡Por la Amnistía Ya!" initiative to the first six Municipal Assemblies of People's Power. The goal is to promote a law for the release of all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience in Cuba.

The petition, backed by 2,289 signatures, was delivered in person in the municipalities of Centro Habana, Diez de Octubre, Habana Vieja, Matanzas, Cienfuegos, and Camagüey.

Where and When

The deliveries took place this week in six municipalities across Cuba: Centro Habana, Diez de Octubre, Habana Vieja (all in Havana province), Matanzas, Cienfuegos, and Camagüey.

Accompanying the petition delivery were requests for interviews with the deputies representing these localities. Citizens like Alina Bárbara López Hernández, Helen Ochoa Calvo, Jenny Pantoja Torres, José Cecilio Pérez Hernández, and Raúl González González participated in the action.

Why It Matters

This action aims to exercise constitutional rights effectively and highlights the urgent need for the release of political prisoners amidst Cuba's humanitarian crisis. It also points to a perceived limited interaction between citizens and local government bodies.

¡Amnistía Ya! emphasizes that freeing political prisoners is a critical issue. The initiative seeks to open dialogue and bring attention to the situation of those detained for political reasons.

What Parties Say

¡Amnistía Ya! noted that in several municipalities, officials were unaware of the petition's existence. In Centro Habana, a receipt was refused. In Cienfuegos, a deputy declined to receive the documentation, stating they would be contacted later, with no response to date.

The platform stressed that these actions are civic and symbolic. They requested other citizens to replicate the initiative in their own municipalities to demand responses from local power structures.

What Comes Next

The platform is calling for citizens across Cuba to replicate this initiative in their respective municipalities. The goal is to ensure that local power structures are compelled to address the petition and the demands for political prisoner release.

The organization continues to advocate for legislative action toward amnesty, emphasizing the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the country. The situation of political prisoners remains a key concern for civil society groups.