Cuba: dissidents imprisoned or forced into exile

Since its establishment in October 1995, dozens of people belonging to member groups had been detained for short periods and threatened with imprisonment on various charges if they did not give up their activities or leave the country. The action against them intensified in the ten days prior to 24 February 1996 when Concilio Cubano was planning to hold a national meeting.

From 15 February dozens of people were rounded up and the meeting was eventually banned by the authorities. Most were released without charge within a matter of days but others were brought to trial and imprisoned, released to await trial or forced into exile. Short-term detentions, harassment and intimidation have continued since March 1996.