NEWS RELEASES
CANADA ENCOURAGES RELEASE OF POLITICAL PRISONERS IN CUBA
May 25, 2000 (4:45 p.m. EDT) No. 118
CANADA ENCOURAGES RELEASE OF POLITICAL PRISONERS IN CUBA
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa) David Kilgour today
welcomed the recent release by the Cuban government of three political prisoners, Felix Bonne, Marta Beatriz
Roque, and Rene Gomez, and encouraged the release of the remaining so-called "July Four" dissident, as well
as other human rights advocates.
"We welcome the decision to release Mr. Bonne, Ms. Roque and Mr. Gomez. However, there is no news on the
situation of the other prisoner of particular concern to us, Vladimiro Roca," said Minister Axworthy. "We cannot
ignore the fact that Mr. Roca and a number of other Cubans continue to be unjustly punished for exercising
their rights to freedom of expression."
"Canada has played an active role in international protests against the imprisonment of these prisoners of
conscience," said Secretary of State Kilgour. "We call on the Cuban government to demonstrate a further
measure of goodwill and release the other July Four activist."
Minister Axworthy has asked senior officials in Ottawa to remain in contact with the Cuban ambassador to
advise him of Canada's continued interest in Mr. Roca's case.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Debora Brown
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Tasha Stefanis
Office of the Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa)
(613) 944-2162
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
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