+------------------------------------------------------+
+    AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL URGENT ACTION BULLETIN      +
+    Electronic distribution authorised                +
+    This bulletin expires: 31 December 1999.          +
+------------------------------------------------------+
 
PUBLIC                            AI Index: AMR 25/43/99
                                  2 December 1999
 
Further information on EXTRA 161/99 (AMR 25/41/99, 12 November
1999 and AMR 25/42/99, 19 November 1999) -  Prisoner of
conscience / Arbitrary arrests
 
CUBA            Dr. Oscar Elias BISCET GONZALEZ, human rights
                            activist 
 
Released:        Antonio ALONSO PEREZ, peasant leader
 
According to reports, Antonio Alonso Perez was released from
detention on 26 November 1999. Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet Gonzalez
remains detained. They were among more than 20 dissidents
arrested in the run up to the Ibero-American Summit in Havana 
on 15-16 November.
 
Antonio Alsonso, President of the Alianza Nacional de
Agricultores Independientes, Association of Independent 
Farmers, had reportedly been held in solitary confinement 
in a windowless room for eight days and pressurized into 
giving up his position as a peasant leader. The charge of 
"sacrificio de ganado", "sacrifice of cattle", reportedly 
brought against him, has been dropped. Antonio Alonso was 
detained on 7 November as he set out to participate in a
congress of independent farmers.
 
Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet Gonzalez, President of the Fundacion
Lawton de Derechos Humanos, Lawton Foundation for Human Rights,
was arrested on 3 November and reportedly charged with "ultraje a los
simbolos de la patria", "insult to the symbols of the homeland" (article
203 of the Cuban Penal Code) [corrected from previous update]. This
carries a maximum sentence of one year's imprisonment. On 29 November he
was reportedly moved from a detention center in Havana to a psychiatric
hospital in Havana, known as Mazorra. He was allowed to see his lawyer for
an hour the same day. No date has been set for a trial. 
 
+-----------------------------------------------------------+
+ Supporters of Amnesty International around the world are  +
+ writing urgent appeals in response to the concerns        +
+ described above. If you would like to join with them in   +
+ this action or have any queries about the Urgent Action   +
+ network or Amnesty International in general, please       +
+ contact one of the following:                             +
+                                                           +
+      Ray Mitchell, ua@amnesty.org.uk (UK)                 +
+      Scott Harrison, sharrison@igc.apc.org (USA)          +
+      Guido Gabriel, ggabriel@amnesty.cl.sub.de (Germany)  +
+      Marilyn McKim, mmckim@amnesty.ca (Canada)            +
+      ua@aibf.be (Belgium)                                 +
+      Anne Nolan, ua@amnesty.iol.ie (Ireland)              +
+-----------------------------------------------------------+