Release of political prisoners continues in Cuba

Havana, Jan 10 (IANS/EFE) The release of political prisoners continued Friday, for the third day, in Cuba, where at least 38 prisoners have been let out of jail since Wednesday, a dissident leader said.

The release of the political prisoners was revealed by the leader of the dissident Cuban Commission for Human Rights and National Reconciliation (CCDHRN), Elizardo Sanchez.

Dissidents in the country have said that these releases were in fulfilment of Cuba's pledge to the US to free 53 political detainees as part of the recently announced rapprochement between the two nations.

The release of prisoners, which began Wednesday, was being done amid a total silence of Cuban authorities, who have offered no official explanation to the Cuban people about the process.

The CCDHRN, which keeps a record of political prisoners on the island, said that even after the 53 prisoners were released, approximately 50 more would remain behind bars.

The commission also preferred to say that the 53 prisoners were being "released" at this point of time rather than "freed," since the prisoners were simply out on parole.

The political prisoners are being released two weeks before the visit of the US Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Roberta Jacobson, who plans to be in Havana from Jan 21 to Jan 22.

--IANS/EFE

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