Artist Opposing Censorship at Risk

Cuban authorities imprisoned artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara for 13 days for opposing a dystopian law which stands to censor artists. He was a prisoner of conscience. Now released and awaiting trial, he remains at risk of further detention. If Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara is sent back to prison, he would revert to be a prisoner of conscience as the charges against him stem solely from the peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression.

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Dear Ministers, I write to you to express my deep concern regarding the detention and charges against Cuban artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, a key leader in the movement opposing Decree 349, a dystopian law which stands to censor artists. Luis Manuel was detained on 1 March and charged with “insults to symbols of the homeland”, a crime inconsistent with international human rights standards, and “damage” to property. He was released 13 days later, but his trial for those same charges is pending. He is at risk of arbitrary detention for as long as the criminal process is open. Luis Manuel Otero is being targeted solely for peacefully expressing his ideas. I therefore urge you to drop all the charges against him immediately and ensure that the process against him is closed. Yours sincerely, ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

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