José Daniel Ferrer García
| José Daniel Ferrer García | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 29, 1970 |
| Residence | Santiago de Cuba, Cuba |
| Nationality | Cuban |
| Occupation | Fisherman |
| Organization | UNPACU |
| Known for | Democracy Activism, 2003-2011 Imprisonment |
| Relatives | Luis Enrique Ferrer García (Brother) |
| Awards | NED Democracy Award (2009) |
José Daniel Ferrer García (born July 29, 1970) is a fisherman and Cuban dissident from Santiago de Cuba.[1] A member of the Christian Liberation Movement (MCL) founded by Oswaldo Payá, he participated in collecting signatures for the Varela Project, in which 25,000 signatories petitioned the Cuban government to guarantee freedom of speech and freedom of assembly as well as institute a multi-party democracy.[2]
2003 arrest
Ferrer was detained during the subsequent Black Spring crackdown of March 2003 and sentenced to 25 years' imprisonment. His brother Luis Enrique Ferrer García, also an MCL activist, was sentenced to 28 years. In May 2003, José Daniel began a hunger strike after he was allegedly refused medical treatment for an intestinal issue. He was also subjected to punishment cells for refusing to stand in the presence of military or prison guards. The prison cells are reportedly and habitually below the international standard and the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners.[3]
Amnesty International declared both Ferrer brothers to be prisoners of conscience.[3] US President Barack Obama called for Ferrer's release in 2009, urging the Cuban government to allow him to "fully participate in a democratic future in Cuba."[4]
Ferrer remained in prison until 2011.[5] He and Félix Navarro Rodríguez were released on 23 March 2011 as part of an agreement between the Cuban government and the Catholic Church. They were the last two prisoners of the Black Spring to be released. Ferrer refused the option to emigrate to Spain, stating, "I want to see a free people, and the best place to fight is here inside."[1]
Later activism
Ferrer was detained again in April 2012 for "public disorder", and again for two days in August 2012 for his work with Unión Patriótica de Cuba (UNPACU). Amnesty International described the arrests as part of "a pattern of harassment by the Cuban authorities against UNPACU members and other political dissidents."[6]
Recognition
In 2009, Ferrer and fellow Cuban dissidents Librado Linares García, Iván Hernández Carrillo, Jorge Luis García Pérez, and Iris Pérez Aguilera were jointly awarded the Democracy Award of the US National Endowment for Democracy. Ferrer was unable to attend, as he was still in prison.[2]
Personal life
Ferrer's wife, Cantillo Belkis Ramirez, is a member of the Ladies in White, a group of wives of political prisoners protesting every Sunday for their release. She was herself detained for 48 hours in March 2012.[7][8]
References
- 1 2 Jeff Franks (23 March 2011). "Cuba frees last of prisoners from 2003 crackdown". Reuters. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
- 1 2 Mary Beth Sheridan (25 June 2009). "Cuba Dissidents Win Award but Not Obama Audience". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
- 1 2 "One year too many: prisoners of conscience from the March 2003 crackdown". Amnesty International. 16 March 2004. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
- ↑ Julianna Goldman (25 June 2009). "Obama Says Cuba Must 'Unconditionally' Free Political Prisoners". Bloomberg. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
- ↑ "Cuba urged to release jailed activists". Amnesty International. 7 February 2011. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
- ↑ "Cuba must stop 'cat-and-mouse game' with political activists". Amnesty International. 2 August 2012. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
- ↑ "Carta Abierta Al Cantante Juanes de los Familiares de Presos Politicos Cubanos". Cubanet.org. 17 September 2009. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
- ↑ James Bone (26 March 2012). "Cuba crackdown in dissidents marks start of Pope visit". The Australian. Retrieved 2 August 2012.