Protest outside US Embassy in London to mark ten year travesty of
the Miami Five
7 October 2008
A high level delegation will (today, Tuesday) hand in a petition
to the US Embassy calling for visitation rights for the wives of
five Cuban nationals imprisoned for ten years in the US for
defending their country against terrorist attacks.
Human rights activists will be joined by leaders from major unions
in the US and the UK to submit the 10,000 signature-strong
petition, signed by MPs, nine Nobel Laureates, as well as
personalities from the worlds of media, law and arts, which is also
asking for freedom for the men.
Two of the wives of the Five, Olga Salanueva and Adriana Pérez have
been denied visas to visit their husbands since their trial ten
years ago. Following the delegation meeting the wives will lead a
candelit vigil outside the US Embassy, expected to be attended by
hundreds of UK supporters of the families, to mark the tenth
anniversary of the men's imprisonment.
Speaking at the vigil, Tony Woodley, joint general secretary of
Unite will say: "This case is a travesty of justice. Five men are
languishing in jail for defending their country against terrorism
and every day their families must serve cruel sentences of
separation too. We call on the US authorities to uphold fundamental
human rights. Give visiting rights and let these families be united
once again."
The women’s husbands, René González and Gerardo Hernández, are two
of five men known as the ‘Miami Five’, who following an unfair
trial were found guilty of “acting as unregistered agents of a
foreign government” and related charges. They were monitoring
extreme right wing paramilitary groups operating out of Florida who
are responsible for launching terrorist attacks against Cuba.
The protest follows an announcement last week by Amnesty
International that the human rights group will launch a world wide
campaign among its 2.2m members for visiting rights for the wives
describing their treatment "unnecessarily punitive and contrary to
standards for humane treatment of prisoners and states’ obligations
to protect family life.”
The delegation handing in the petition includes: Len McCluskey,
assistant general secretary, Unite the UK’s largest union; Gerry
Fernandez, international director, United Steel Workers, USA;
MIchael Laslett, representing the Service Employees International
Union, the US's biggest public sector union; Father Geoff Bottoms,
Catholic priest and campaigner on this case; Steve Cottingham,
Lawyer, OH Parsons; and Rob Miller, director, Cuba Solidarity
Campaign.
The vigil will take place from 6pm until 7.30pm outside the US
Embassy, Grosvenor Square, London. Cameras and the media are
welcome.
ENDS
For more information contact: Unite press officer Liane Groves,
07793 661 657 or Cuba Solidarity media officer Natasha Hickman
07813 689 777
