A Call to the International Community:
We have
written this letter to inform of a very critical situation taking place right
now in Cuba, where a young dissident musician and activist is dying on a hunger
strike because he has been unjustly jailed by the totalitarian regime because
of his pro-freedom ideas. His name is Angel Yunier Remon Arzuaga, he is 30
years old and is an independent rapper from the Eastern town of Bayamo. He is known in the Cuban rap scene as “El Critico” (or ‘The Critical One’). He
is also an active member of the persecuted pro-freedom organization Patriotic
Union of Cuba (UNPACU).
Remon Arzuaga
was arrested by the political police on March 26th 2013 after a
series of arbitrary detentions, interrogations and acts of aggression at the
hands of the State, as commonly occurs in Cuba against opposition members. His crime was handing out pro-freedom
literature, carrying out public speeches in favor of democracy, and his protest
music. However, the Cuban State Security
apparatus created a case for him, falsely accusing him of “attempt” against an
official’s life. In reality, the agent
who is accusing him (Julio Cesar Fonseca) is the author of numerous aggressions
against Remon, his family, and many other local dissidents.
The musician
has been behind bars since, without a trial and suffering frequent tortures and
beatings. On October 15th
2013 Remon suffered what was one of the worst beatings he has endured behind
bars at the hands of prison officials.
His face was broken and his body left with several injuries. He was then confined to a punishment cell. It was simultaneously announced that the
regime was asking for 8 years punishment for his supposed crime, and it was
that same day that he declared himself on hunger strike.
“El Critico”
has not stopped his hunger strike and his health has dramatically been
affected, placing him in a situation where he is very near death. Right now, Remon is in an intensive care unit
of the Carlos Manuel de Cespedes Hospital of Bayamo fighting for his life but
firm in his convictions, as he has told relatives that his protest is until
“death or freedom” because he did not commit a crime. Activists assure the reason he is in prison
is because of his music and because of the constant civic actions he carries
out on the island.
The Cuban
authorities are committing another crime against a human rights defender on the
island, considering that they have not responded to Remon’s demands and because
they have jailed him to deter his activism.
‘El Critico’ may die. His vital
signs are weak and his health is deplorable not only because of the strike but
because he also suffers from chronic gastritis and also contracted cholera in
prison during the month of July.
Yudisbel Roseyo, the young wife of Remon, has also
been harassed by State Security but has assumed a position similar to that of
her husband. She has not left the
hospital although authorities do not let her pass to see Remon, save for some
isolated cases. She has called on the
international community- specifically artists, governments, and activists – to
please speak out for Angel Yunier. The
couple has a 9 month old son.
An
international campaign has gone underway on social networks with the hashtag
#FreeElCritico. Musicians, politicans,
bloggers, journalists, NGOs, and other activists have joined the call but we
need more solid support on all levels to save the life of Angel Yunier Remon
Arzuaga.
We are
counting on you, if possible, to help us denounce this situation and free a
young Cuban who has no reason to be behind bars, and much less to lose his life. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Human rights activists around the
world
#FreeElCritico
A Call to the International Community
