Darsi Ferrer arrested in Cuba at peaceful protest

Posted April 29, 2011 by publisher in Cuba Human Rights

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EFE

Cuban dissident Darsi Ferrer was arrested Thursday along with four other people as they were staging a peaceful protest in downtown Havana, according to information provided by the Cuban Human Rights and National Reconciliation Commission.

Ferrer and his associates demanded during a “small demonstration” that the Cuban government “respect the freedom of movement of citizens inside the island and (allow them to travel) abroad with the right to return to the country,” the commission said in a communique on the matter, signed by its spokesman Elizardo Sanchez.

Also participating in the protest, besides Ferrer, were his wife Yusnaimi Jorge, Juan Mario Rodriguez, Ricardo Aguilar and Joaquin Sarduy.

The dissidents also displayed posters alluding to their demand during the protest mounted Thursday afternoon on a street corner in front of the well-known Coppelia ice cream shop, located in the El Vedado neighborhood, according to the commission.

A source close to the dissidents told Efe that none of the protesters has been released by Cuban authorities.

Ferrer, a 41-year-old physician, was released in June 2010 after being held in prison for 11 months without charge.

For several months, Ferrer has been denouncing the fact that Cuban immigration authorities have denied him, his wife and son permission to leave the country and travel to the United States.