Cuba Asks for Date for Closure of Illegal Prison in Guantanamo Bay

Periodico 26

Havana, June 5, (RHC).- The delegation of Cuba to the United Nations Human Rights Council, asked a for Special Rapporteur on the closing date of the illegal detention and torture center at the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay.

On behalf of Cuba's representation in Geneva, Juan Antonio Quintanilla participated in interactive discussions on topics related to human rights, terrorism, and the independence of judges and lawyers.

Quintanilla asked for precise information about the closing date of the detention center at the naval base at Guantanamo, a Cuban territory illegally occupied by the United States for over a century.

Quintanilla also asked whether there will be compensation to the victims of the arbitrary detention and torture center at the U.S. Naval Air base whose closure is one of many broken promises of U.S. President Barack Obama.

He also inquired about the impunity enjoyed in Europe by the accomplices of the illegal flights of the United States Central Intelligence Agency, which flew people to other countries be tortured.

Speaking at the chapter on the independence of judges and lawyers, the Cuban diplomat said his country wants to be included in the analysis of the impact of some factors in the impartial work of courts.

He cited the manipulation of public opinion through the press, which he said, together with the politically-motivated conduct of revenge of the authorities in Washington, are present in the case of five Cuban antiterrorist fighters, unjustly imprisoned in U.S. territory.

He said that after nearly 12 years of unjust imprisonment, the Cuban Five, as they are known internationally, continue to provide the world an example of unwavering strength and faith in justice. Cuba urges the international community to provide the broadest possible support for their early release.

Gerardo Hernandez, Ramon Labañino, Fernando Gonzalez, Antonio Guerrero and René Gonzalez were arrested in 1998 and tried by a Miami court that sentenced them for having monitored anti-Cuba terrorist organizations based in Florida.