International figures call for freedom for five Cubans imprisoned in the United States for 15 years

John Le Carré, Emma Thompson, Lord Rowan Williams, Noam Chomsky, Günter Grass and Dame Vivienne Westwood  have joined other international personalities in support of Voices for the Five, an international coalition calling for justice and freedom for five Cubans imprisoned in the US.

Voices for the Five, launched today, brings together supporters from the arts, media, legal, NGO and campaigning organisations calling for justice and freedom for the Miami Five – five Cubans arrested in 1998 while attempting to prevent terrorist attacks against the Cuban people by groups within the US. Human rights and legal groups have raised questions about the fairness of the trial and Amnesty International has condemned the treatment of the Five as “contrary both to the standards for the humane treatment of prisoners and to a state’s obligation to protect family life”.

On 7-8 March 2014, a major two day Commission of Inquiry into the Case of the Miami Five will convene a panel of internationally renowned commissioners drawn from legal, human rights, political and academic backgrounds and organisations at the Law Society in London as part of the Voices for the Five initiative.

The Commission will hear testimony from René González Sehwerert, the first and only member of the Five to have been released after completing his 15 year sentence. He will be joined by family members, victims of terrorism against Cuba, lawyers, politicians and campaigners from Cuba and across the world.

A full list of endorsers and video messages from international supporters of the Miami Five can be found at www.voicesforthefive.com. The website calls on people across the globe to sign up online with messages, photos and videos to add their support to the hundreds of international figures already involved. 

Michael Mansfield QC, says

“I am delighted to endorse the Inquiry into the case of the Miami Five to be held in London next March. It will serve as an expression of truth and conscience by the people for the people. Politicians cannot be trusted to undertake such an exercise.”

Dave Prentis, General Secretary of the million-strong public sector union UNISON says

“UNISON has been part of the movement for 15 years to get justice for the Cuban Five who were wrongly imprisoned all those years ago. We are also part of the International Commission of Inquiry which will be looking into this case in the spring of next year. We will not rest until we win full support for the Cuban Five.”

Irmita González, eldest daughter of René González Sehwerert says

“I was only 14 when my dad got arrested and I am 29 now. I have been growing up in the middle of this battle. It’s too long. It’s time for it to end and for my uncles to come back to their families, their life and their country, because they are people who have fought against the harm that has been done to Cuba for many years. They should be free and we need them back.”