The Hungarian liberal youth organization will closely follow the circumstances of Luis Enrique Ferrer García.
Withink the framework of “The Adoption of a Political Prisoner” movement started by the Cuban opposition, New Generation on its website will follow up the life of an independent journalist who was imprisoned for political reasons.
This was announced by Flora Takacs, vice president of New Generation on Wednesday, June 27, at a silent demonstration near the Cuban embassy, in which 3 representatives of the opposition took part, as well.
There are numerous international human rights organizations monitoring the status of the political prisoners. In cases of prisoners, who are in the international spotlight, it is more likely to achieve positive changes in their circumstances – stated Daniel Kaderjak, head of NG’s Foreign Affairs Workgroup. He added that they hope that this campaign will have similar results.
The journalist “adopted” by the young liberals, is the youngest political prisoner at the moment in Cuba. Ferrer García was arrested in March 2003, and was sentenced to 28 years of imprisonment for taking part in the Varela Project. Under this project, more than 11,000 signatures were collected in order to have public referenda on the freedom of speech, multy-party democratic system and the right to found private businesses. At the moment, there are approximately 300 political prisoners known.
“We, young liberals want to see a Cuba, which is free and democratic, and where human rights and the freedom of press is respected, and noone has to live in fear, who speaks out for freedom.” – states the brochure that was distributed at the demonstration, and which encourages for standing up for the freedom of Cuba.
Daniel Kaderjak mentioned that a recent decision of the UN Human Rights Council is not acceptable. According to the decision, Belarus and Cuba were removed from the list of countries in which the human rights situation requires closer monitoring. These countries keep violating human rights, he added.
New Generation is going to ask the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to inform Hungarian citizens traveling to Cuba about the existing oppressive regime – said Daniel Kaderjak. According to the young liberals’ idea, those who travel to the island country for tourism would get written information from travel agencies or during the visa application procedure.
Members of the Cuban democratic opposition have met the leadership of SZDSZ, the Hungarian Liberal Party, as well.
More information: www.ujgeneracio.hu