• Urgent Action

Urgent Action Update: ARTIST NAMED PRISONER OF CONSCIENCE (Cuba: UA 55.21)

May 21, 2021

On May 2, 2021 Cuban state security officials took artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara from his home and to a hospital, while he was hunger-striking in protest over the confiscation of artwork from his home around the April 22, 2021. Luis Manuel is a key figure in the San Isidro Movement, a diverse group of independent artists, journalists and activists that defend freedom of expression in Cuba. He is a prisoner of conscience, detained solely because of peacefully expressing his ideas, and should be released immediately and unconditionally.

TAKE ACTION:
  1. Write a letter in your own words or using the sample below as a guide to one or both government officials listed. You can also email, fax, call or Tweet them.
  2. Click here to let us know the actions you took on Urgent Action 55.21. It’s important to report because we share the total number with the officials we are trying to persuade and the people we are trying to help.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Miguel Díaz Canel President of the Republic of Cuba Hidalgo, Esquina 6. Plaza de la Revolución La Habana, CP 10400, Cuba Email: [email protected] Twitter: @DiazCanelB Facebook: @PresidenciadeCuba
Ambassador Lianys Torres Rivera Embassy of Cuba 2630 16th Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20009 Phone: 202 797 8515 Email: [email protected] Twitter: @EmbaCubaUS @Lianystr Facebook: @EmbaCubaUS Salutation: Dear Ambassador
SAMPLE LETTER Dear Mr. President, I write to you to condemn the detention of Cuban artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, a key leader of the San Isidro Movement. Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara has been held seemingly under state custody in a hospital in Havana since May 2, 2021 with little contact with the outside world and reportedly highly restricted visits, solely for peacefully exercising his freedom of expression. Prior to this, Luis Manuel Otero has faced harassment and intimation from state security officials due to his work as a human rights defender. Just in December 2020, he was submitted to frightening levels of surveillance and, following another hunger strike, was ultimately detained under similar circumstances. Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara is a prisoner of conscience, detained solely for peacefully expressing his ideas. I therefore urge you to secure his immediate and unconditional release. Sincerely, [YOUR NAME] ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Downloads