July 30, 2008

Hunger-striking Cuban prisoners in critical condition

Four Cuban political prisoners on hunger strike at the Holguín Provincial Prison are critically ill, but the dictatorship continues to refuse to give into their demands for better living conditions and greater respect for their human rights, according to a report posted at Payo Libre this morning.

The prisoners are suffering from fever, hypoglycemia and low blood pressure, brought on by not eating for more than a week now. Also, prisoner Juan Carlos Herrera Acosta — who began his protest on July 18, and a few days later sewed his mouth shut to show his resolve — has contracted infections near his mouth.

The other three prisoners — Alfredo Domínguez Batista, Orlando Zapata Tamayo and Luis Mariano Deliz Utria — joined Herrera in protest on July 21.

Despite the refusals by prison officials to give into the prisoners' demands, family members of the prisoners continue to try to develop a formula that would save their lives, according to the Payo Libre report.

(Cross-posted at Uncommon Sense.)

Posted by Marc at July 30, 2008 07:58 AM


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