Distributed by The Cuba Free Press Project.

Villa Clara, December 15, 1997, CNP

Marilis Blasquez Aparicio, the President of the Hunger Striker's Support Group of the Pro Human Rights Party in Villa Clara, issues the following denunciation.

Last December 11, 1997, the delegate for the Pro Human Rights Party in Villa Clara, Daula Carpio Mata, was summoned to the Provincial Tribunal in Santa Clara, commonly known as La Audiencia, to be advised that she was again summoned to appear on December 12th at the local prison to start serving her sentence of 16 months incarceration. She was also handed a document in which she was advised that the cost for her food and other supplies, including bed sheets, work clothes, and other clothing would be charged to her. Daula has stated that, due to the injustices which have been committed against her and her brothers in the struggle, she will continue on the hunger strike. Therefore, she will not be working while incarcerated. Moreover, due to her weak physical condition, she will not be able to attend the second summons.

The denunciation continues that on December 10, at the Municipal Tribunal in Santa Clara, Ileana Penalver Duque, a member of the Pro Human Rights Party in Villa Clara, was also summoned, as well as, one of her assistants, and advised to join the CPA (Farming Production Center) or Video Rivero. She was also warned that if she were to continue presenting medical excuses for her poor health they would change the punishment from one of house arrest to jail term.

In another case, also on December 11th, political prisoner and member of the Pro Human Rights Party in Villa Clara, Ivan Lema Romero was transferred from La Pendiente prison in Santa Clara to the Manaca prison in Villa Clara. Lema Romero, due to the lengthy hunger strike, shows signs of clear physical deterioration.

Reported by Hector Trujillo Pis, Democratic Solidarity Party. Translation