WITHIN LESS THAN 24 HOURS BEFORE THE POPE'S ARRIVAL IN SANTA CLARA, HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS, CONTINUE THEIR HUNGER STRIKE IN THAT CITY

LATEST INFORMATION ON THE SANTA CLARA HUNGER STRIKERS

Santa Clara, Jan. 21, 1998.- Nine peaceful human rights activists in the central city of Santa Clara, in the province of Villa Clara, began a hunger strike on October 9, 1997 due to the arrest of Daula Carpio Matos, a well known provincial leader of the Partido Pro-Derechos Humanos (Party for Human Rights) a peaceful, pro-democracy opposition movement. Charged with a criminal offense, for her human rights activities, Carpio Matos initiated a hunger strike which was immediately supported by the activists.

The Cuban government does not recognize the legality of any other political party except that of the Cuban Communist Party, and often accuses democracy and human rights activists of criminal offenses in order to cover up the political motivations of arrests and imprisonments.

Six of the activists persist in the hungers strike, demanding the following two points:

• That all charges against Daula Carpio be dropped.
• That the charge of "Conspiracy to Commit Crime," levelled against the activists once they began their strike be immediately dropped due to the undeniable fact that their activities are in favor of human rights.

Jose Antonio Alvarado - Is suffering from peripheral polineuropathy. Has lost 62 pounds, which greatly worries his attending physician, Dr. Luis Terry. Alvarado is also suffering from a metabolic acidosis which is causing an acute pancreatitis. He can no longer rise from bed and when he does, he becomes dizzy and falls. Dr. Terry informed Major Raul Fernandez, a State Security officer in Villa Clara, that "if the hunger strike continues he [Dr. Terry] will not assume responsibility for his [Alvarado's] life." Alvarado lives in Callejsn de Salado entre A y B, Santa Clara. Alvarado is currently hospitalized at the Hospital Provincial Viejo de Santa Clara.

Ivan Lemas Romero - Is suffering from a periphery pilineuropathy, which is affecting his arms and legs. His attending physician, Luis Crespo, fears for Romero's life since the damage to his left arm could affect his heart. Romero is currently hospitalized at the Sala (Ward) 6, Cama (Bed) 13, where he can receive visitors as long as they are accompanied by his father.

Daula Carpio Matas - She is suffering from such an extreme case of calcium loss that she cannot hold up her lower jaw when she speaks, is very thin and cannot walk upright. She is held at the infirmary of the Guamajal Prison (Prisisn de Guamajal), located at the Carretera of Sagua after Circunvalacisn.

Jose Manuel Vera Benmtez - He is currently held at the infirmary of the Prisisn de la Pendiente, located at Circunvalacisn, a 3 kilsmetros de Santa Clara.

The regime continues to refuse to accede to the demands of the hunger strikers. The latest reports to arrive from Santa Clara indicate that State Security officers have pressured Marilis Blasquez Aparicio, president of the Committee in Support of the Strikers, as well as several family members to go the U.S. Interests Section and other embassies in Cuba so as to inquire about the possibility of having the strikers leave the island.

The Cuban Democratic Revolutionary Directorate, taking into account these last minute reports, calls upon all members of the press corps covering the Papal visit to Cuba, to seek out and interview the strikers, their family members and/or the Support Committee. An urgent action of world public opinion in support of these activists for peaceful change in Cuba is needed due to their dramatic state of health.