26 Oct 2010 | Index Index, minipost
Guillermo Farinas has won the 2010 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, the European Union’s most prestigious human rights award. Farinas has spent much of the last 15 years in jail and has gone on hunger strike more than 20 times. His most recent hunger strike ended in July when the government agreed to release 52 political prisoners. At the same time as the EU bestowed the accolade, Cuba authorised the release of a further five prisoners, who were not among the originally specified 52. The released men are due to be transferred to Spain. 39 have already been released, but 13 have refused the deal and remain behind bars.
13 Oct 2010 | Index Index, minipost
Unconfirmed reports suggest the ruling military junta in Burma plans to release of thousands of prisoners early to allow them to vote in November’s elections. The total number of detainees set for release is reportedly 11,000. It is not yet clear whether any of Burma’s 2,200 political prisoners will be freed. Detained pro-democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, has been banned from running in the elections — the first in the country for 20 years — and there are fears that the voting process will be heavily controlled by the government. Under the new constitution some 25% of seats are guaranteed for the military.
12 Jul 2010 | Index Index, minipost
The Cuban authorities have announced that they intend to release 52 political prisoners. The first prisoners are expected to arrive in Madrid tomorrow (13 July). Cuba has come under increased international pressure following the death of political prisoner Orlando Zapato Tamayo in February. Tamayo had been on a hunger strike. The first five prisoners are being allowed to travel to Spain with their relatives. The remaining 47 will be released over the next few months, they will also be allowed to relocate to Spain. The Cuban Human Rights Commission claims that after the releases Cuban jails will still hold 110 political prisoners.
29 Jul 2009 | Index Index, Middle East and North Africa, minipost
The Iranian government has released 140 people who were being detained for their part in the unrest following the disputed election. Another 150 people are believed to be still in detention. This comes amid increasing reports of abuse and torture in prison. Read more here
