Press Release

Protest outside US Embassy in London to mark ten year travesty of the Miami Five

7 October 2008

A high level delegation will (today, Tuesday) hand in a petition to the US Embassy calling for visitation rights for the wives of five Cuban nationals imprisoned for ten years in the US for defending their country against terrorist attacks.

Human rights activists will be joined by leaders from major unions in the US and the UK to submit the 10,000 signature-strong petition, signed by MPs, nine Nobel Laureates, as well as personalities from the worlds of media, law and arts, which is also asking for freedom for the men.

Two of the wives of the Five, Olga Salanueva and Adriana Pérez have been denied visas to visit their husbands since their trial ten years ago. Following the delegation meeting the wives will lead a candelit vigil outside the US Embassy, expected to be attended by hundreds of UK supporters of the families, to mark the tenth anniversary of the men's imprisonment.

Speaking at the vigil, Tony Woodley, joint general secretary of Unite will say: "This case is a travesty of justice. Five men are languishing in jail for defending their country against terrorism and every day their families must serve cruel sentences of separation too. We call on the US authorities to uphold fundamental human rights. Give visiting rights and let these families be united once again."

The women’s husbands, René González and Gerardo Hernández, are two of five men known as the ‘Miami Five’, who following an unfair trial were found guilty of “acting as unregistered agents of a foreign government” and related charges. They were monitoring extreme right wing paramilitary groups operating out of Florida who are responsible for launching terrorist attacks against Cuba.

The protest follows an announcement last week by Amnesty International that the human rights group will launch a world wide campaign among its 2.2m members for visiting rights for the wives describing their treatment "unnecessarily punitive and contrary to standards for humane treatment of prisoners and states’ obligations to protect family life.”

The delegation handing in the petition includes: Len McCluskey, assistant general secretary, Unite the UK’s largest union; Gerry Fernandez, international director, United Steel Workers, USA; MIchael Laslett, representing the Service Employees International Union, the US's biggest public sector union; Father Geoff Bottoms, Catholic priest and campaigner on this case; Steve Cottingham, Lawyer, OH Parsons; and Rob Miller, director, Cuba Solidarity Campaign.

The vigil will take place from 6pm until 7.30pm outside the US Embassy, Grosvenor Square, London. Cameras and the media are welcome.