Prisoner releases continue

Four more political prisoners are to be released, according to an announcement last Friday from the Havana Archdiocese. This brings to 36 the number of those who, in the announcement’s words, have “accepted the proposal to leave prison and move to Spain.” AP story here.

Uncommon Sense has a list of those who want to leave prison and remain in Cuba rather than moving to Spain.

If the process of prisoner releases takes three to four months, as stated in the announcement of the commitment made by the government last July, then it will conclude in October or November.

It’s not hard to figure out that the government’s preference is for the prisoners to leave Cuba; that fits with decades of practice. It’s also very plausible that the majority of those receiving the offer to leave jail and go to Spain with their extended families would take it in a minute.

The Damas de Blanco, EFE reports, are charging that the government is pressuring the prisoners to go to Spain, but the report doesn’t provide much detail. A spokeswoman for the group says that the prisoners who want to stay are placed with those who want to go, and the families (no surprise) are tipping the scales in favor of going to Spain.

Parliament chief Ricardo Alarcon has indicated that those who want to stay in Cuba will be able to do so. We will know by November how that works out.

The text of last Friday’s announcement follows:

ARZOBISPADO DE LA HABANA

NOTA DE PRENSA

En continuidad con el proceso de liberación de prisioneros, se informa que otros cuatro (4) serán excarcelados próximamente. Ellos son:

NELSON MOLINET ESPINO

HÉCTOR RAÚL VALLE HERNÁNDEZ

MIGUEL GALVÁN GUTIÉRREZ

JOSÉ MIGUEL MARTÍNEZ HERNÁNDEZ

De esta forma suman treinta y seis (36) los prisioneros que han aceptado la propuesta de salir de la prisión y trasladarse a España.

Orlando Márquez Hidalgo

La Habana, 17 de septiembre de 2010