Free Cuban 5 Campaign Gains Support Of Philippine Parliamentarians
Sept. 10, 2008
Reprinted from Gabriela News
"Today, we express our support to the Cuban 5. In ardent solidarity, we join the voices of thousands who are appealing for their immediate release."
Thus said Gabriela Womens Party Representative Liza Maza in a forum held today at the House of Representatives, entitled "The Cuban 5 @ 10". Attended by Cuban Ambassador to the Philippines, Jorge Rey Jimenez, the forum is being sponsored by Cagayan de Oro Representative Rufus Rodriguez, Gabriela Representative Liza Maza, the Philippines- Cuba Parliamentarians Friendship Society and the House of Representatives Committees on Inter-Parliamentary Relations and Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs.
The Cuban five are Gerardo Hernandez, Ramon Labanino, Antonio Guerrero, Fernando Gonzalez and Rene Gonzalez. They have been languishing in US jails for ten years after having been arrested and consequently convicted on false charges of espionage, conspiracy against the US government. Upon their arrest, they were illegally held in solitary confinement for 17 months in Miami jail.
The United Nations Working group on Arbitrary Detention has condemned the arrest and continued detention of the Cuban 5. The five are regarded as heroes in Cuba after they have successfully infiltrated anti-Cuba terrorist groups based in Miami.
Last August 5, 2008, Gabriela Representatives Maza and Luz Ilagan initiated the filing of House Resolution 712: "Resolution Expressing The Deep Concern Of The House Of Representatives Over The Continuous Human Rights Violations Against The Five Cuban Anti-Terrorist Activists, Who Are At Present Detained In U.S. Prisons, Serving Four Life Sentences And 75 Years Collectively, After Being Given What Their Families, Human Rights Organizations, And The National Assembly Of The People's Power Of Cuba Assert To Be Wrong Conviction By The U.S. Federal Court In Miami, And The Earnest Call To Bring About Justice For The Cuban Five"
"Let the Philippines House of Representatives make its contribution to this international call for justice known. Their unjust detention by the US government merits international attention and condemnation. "
For a copy of House Resolution 712, please see http://gabrielawome nsparty.net/ files/HR% 20712%20- %20Cuban% 205.pdf |
