By Erica Laster                                                                                                                        Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

Havana, Cuba – Amid growing international criticism, Cuba has agreed to free fifty two political prisoners of conscience. This would mark the most political prisoners released since Pope John Paul II’s visit in 1998 which freed 101 among a group of 300 Cuban prisoners. 22 of the prisoners being released were arrested and sentenced in the infamous Black Spring crackdown of 2003.

Despite acting in non-violent protests, 75 were arrested in the crackdown under Cuban legislation that criminalized political dissent.

The release comes at a time when Cuba may be seeking to reset strained relations with the United States and Europe. Both have publicly condemned Cuba’s track record on human rights violations over more than a decade. President Fidel Castro agreed to release the prisoners after discussions with Cubans Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodriguez, the Roman Catholic Archbishop, Cardinal Jaime Ortega and Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos.

The political prisoners are set to be exiled in Spain, an agreement reached with Foreign Minister Moratinos to ensure their acceptance of the exiles. The release comes with deep reservations in the international community as many view the exile of the prisoners to Spain as conditional freedom and a continued restriction of their rights. “Forcing them to leave the country would be yet another attempt to suppress freedom of expression and movement in Cuba,” says Susan Lee, Americas Programme Director at Amnesty International. She further indicated that “These men have been imprisoned since 2003 simply for peacefully expressing their political beliefs and should be released unconditionally now.”

The deal follows protests by a number of the prisoners currently being held in Havana. One, Orlando Zapata recently died on February 22, 2010 after an 11 week hunger strike in which he attempted to gain the freedom of himself and his colleagues. Another, Guillermo Farinas went on a hunger strike after Mr. Zapata’s death, refusing to accept an offer of asylum from the Spanish government. Mr. Farinas strike has lasted a total of 134 days and doctors this week indicated that he was near death. His hunger strike in an attempt to force the release of 25 ill political prisoners will end he indicated, only with their release.

Cuban authorities continue to deny the existence of the repressionist regime, saying “nobody has ever been punished for merely expressing a difference of opinion or point of view, even when these have been contrary to those of the authorities.” While authorities consistently attempt to deflect pressure in the international spotlight, Amnesty International authorities have called for the prompt and fair trials of all remaining political prisoners. The 52 are scheduled to be released over the next 3 to 4 months.

Photo Courtesy of the Wall Street Journal

For More Information Please See:

Amnesty International Cuba urged to immediately release all prisoners of conscience   8 July 2010

English Pen Cuba: 52 prisoners to be freed  8 July 2010

Wall Street Journal Cuba to Free 52 Political Prisoners 8 July 2010