RSS Feed
March 19th, 2012 
FAKE NEWS for the Zionist agenda
Cuba denies it holds any political prisoners, and says the dissidents are
nothing more than common criminals and mercenaries paid by Washington to
stir up trouble. It scoffs at criticism of its human rights record by the
West, saying its Marxist system provides citizens with free health care and
education, and many other subsidies, while capitalist countries are plagued
by poverty.
Sunday’s detentions came just over a week before a March 26-28 visit by Pope
Benedict XVI, who is likely to encourage the government to adopt increased
religious, political and human rights during his tour, at least privately.
It also comes days after Cuban Roman Catholic Cardinal Jaime Ortega asked
police to remove a group of 13 opposition members who had occupied a church
in Central Havana for two days.
While the church won assurances that the group members would not be
prosecuted, the church-sanctioned raid and its hardline stance throughout
the standoff was derided by many dissidents, even those who had opposed the
initial occupation.
While many praise Ortega for mediating the release of political prisoners in
2010 and occasionally speaking out in favour of greater economic and
political freedom on this Communist-run island, others say he has not done
enough.
They say Thursday’s decision to call in police to remove dissidents from the
Church of Charity demonstrates Ortega’s lack of sympathy. Sunday’s events
will likely provide more fodder for those critics.
Elizardo Sanchez, who monitors human rights on the island and acts as a de
facto spokesman for the opposition, expressed astonishment at the posture of
Ortega, whom he has often praised in the past.
“I can’t get over my astonishment over what has happened in these last
few days,” Sanchez told The Associated Press. “The cardinal is
acting like the first two of the three wise monkeys,” who could neither
see evil nor hear it.
Even as members of the Ladies in White were being detained, Ortega was
performing Mass at the grand Cathedral in Old Havana. His sermon inside the
baroque, stone edifice before several hundred worshippers did not mention
the week’s drama, nor did he say anything about human rights in general.
Instead, he kept his comments focused on religion and the pontiff’s imminent
arrival.
“With a sense of gratitude, enjoyment and profound spiritual peace, and
with the gifts that God has given us we prepare to receive the Pope,”
said the 75-year-old Ortega. “Let God grant us a truly warm reception
for the Holy Father, and let his visit bear abundant fruit.”
Source: agencies
Posted in 
Tags: 
