AAAS Scientific Responsibility, Human Rights and Law Program

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AAAS Human Rights Action Network

FACTS OF THE CASE:

AAAS is concerned about the continued detention of prisoner of conscience Dr. Desi Mendoza Rivero, founder of the Independent Medical Association in Santiago de Cuba. Dr. Mendoza was detained on 25 June 1997. He is reportedly facing charges of "enemy propaganda, disseminating false news, and illegal association." The true reason for his arrest stems from statements he made to foreign press in which he criticized the Cuban government's response to the dengue fever epidemic occurring at the time of his arrest. He accused the government of attempting to cover up the true extent of the epidemic, which may have begun as early as December 1996.

Dr. Mendoza was reportedly taken to State Security Headquarters at Versalles following his detention. On 12 August 1997, he was reportedly transferred to Aguadores Prison in Santiago de Cuba. Dr. Mendoza's health is likely to decline while in detention, as he suffers from hypertension and cardiac arrhythmia.

At the time of Dr. Mendoza's arrest, authorities were cracking down on independent activists and other dissidents.

Previously, Dr. Mendoza was fired from his job when he founded the Independent Medical Association in Santiago de Cuba in 1994.

(Sources of information on this case include Science Vol. 277, 11 July 1997; CubaPress; and Amnesty International; as well as independent sources.)

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Please send telexes, telegrams, faxes, or airmail letters:

• calling for the immediate unconditional release of Dr. Desi Mendoza on the grounds that he is a prisoner of conscience;
• expressing concern about his state of health;
• urging that he be granted immediate access to a physician and lawyer of his choice; and
• asking for details about his current status.

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