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In a new repressive act, agents of the Cuban State Security arrested on Wednesday in public Berta Soler, leader of the opposition organization Damas de Blanco, as she was leaving her home located in the Lawton neighborhood of Havana.
The arrest occurred as Soler was heading to attend a reception organized by the U.S. Embassy in Havana in celebration of that country’s Independence Day on the upcoming July 4th.
On Facebook, her husband, former political prisoner Ángel Moya Acosta, reported the detention and denounced that a heavy repressive operation was deployed around the headquarters of the Ladies in White since early this morning, which is also Soler's home.
This place is under constant surveillance and has been the scene of numerous arbitrary detentions and acts of repudiation by the forces of the Cuban communist regime.
Moreover, the detention of Soler is part of a common practice of the regime, which resorts to arresting her to silence her activism and that of her organization.
This new act occurs in a context of growing tension, characterized by the fear of possible protests ahead of July 11 (11J), the anniversary of the social unrest in 2021 that shook the country and highlighted the public's dissatisfaction with the government.
In April, Soler attended the Palm Sunday mass at the church of Santa Rita in Havana, accompanied by the head of the U.S. Embassy in Cuba, Mike Hammer. On that occasion, her participation was possible despite yet another repressive operation taking place around the headquarters in Lawton.
The organization Damas de Blanco and Soler, winners of the Sakharov Prize from the European Parliament, continually feel the repression of the Cuban government due to their peaceful activism in favor of the freedom of political prisoners and human rights on the island.
Frequently asked questions about the detention of Berta Soler in Cuba
Why was Berta Soler arrested in Havana?
Berta Soler was detained by agents of the Cuban State Security while on her way to a reception organized by the United States Embassy in Havana. This detention is part of a systematic practice by the regime to silence her activism and that of the Ladies in White, the organization she leads that advocates for the freedom of political prisoners in Cuba.
What is the context of repression against the Ladies in White in Cuba?
The Ladies in White have been subjected to constant repression since their founding in 2003. This group faces surveillance, arbitrary detentions, and violence from the Cuban government due to their peaceful activism in defense of human rights and the freedom of political prisoners. Despite these challenges, they continue their work and have received international recognition, such as the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought awarded by the European Parliament in 2005.
How has the international community reacted to the repression in Cuba?
The international community, including the United States Embassy in Cuba, has expressed its concern over the repression on the island. The head of the U.S. Embassy, Mike Hammer, has held meetings with opposition leaders and human rights activists to show support and denounce violations in Cuba. International organizations have also called for an end to the systematic repression against those who peacefully exercise their rights.
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