Translated by: Deyanira Navarrete
On February 6, 2007 the United States Government gave Edgar López a humanitarian visa as a political refugee; however, the Cuban government has not given him permission to leave the country. They are keeping him as a political hostage, even though he hasn’t had any type of criminal records of any kind. His only hope is to be reunited with his wife and his mother who live in Miami.
His “offense” is to be part of pro-democracy organization (Coalición Juvenil Martiana), founded in Cuba on March 1, 2007, whose objective is to promote among the youth of Cuba: liberty, tolerance, and respect towards Human Rights.
The denial to leave the country is only the tip of the iceberg. Being part of the organizing committee of this passive organization has brought him problems, in these two years Edgar has not been able to find a job, has been a victim of multiple rejections, and even tough his family has been granted permission to leave, he is being kept for the simple fact of being against the government.
Edgar’s situations goes against Article 13.2 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which states: All persons have the right to leave any country, including their own, and to be able to go back to their own country.
Edgar has been on a hunger strike since April 14th in the hopes that his petition can be heard and his permission to be reunited with his family can be granted once and for all.
If you support Edgar’s right to travel and be reunited with his family, please write your name and place of residence at the bottom of this post under the section “comments”.
Thanks in advance!
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