Please write a polite letter, or copy
the one below, on your personal or institutional letterhead and mail to the following address.
[Date]
Raúl Castro Ruz
Presidente
c/o Cuban Mission to the United Nations
315 Lexington Ave.
New York, NY 10016
Your Excellency,
I am writing to express my deep concern about the deteriorating health of Normando Hernández González.
I understand that alarm for Hernández’s well-being has
increased since he was transferred to Carlos J. Finlay Military
Hospital in Havana in September. Hernández is reported to have
mal-absorption syndrome, a disease of the intestine causing
difficulties in absorbing nutrients that carries with it acute
conditions such as malnutrition, heart disease and anemia. As a result
Hernandez has reportedly lost around 35 pounds of body weight, and
there are growing fears about his ability to successfully undergo any
major medical intervention.
Hernández was arrested in his hometown of Camagüey, along with
74 others considered to be dissidents by the Cuban government.
Hernández, then 33, was sentenced to 25 years' imprisonment under
Article 91 of the Cuban Criminal Code for reporting on the conditions
of state-run services in Cuba and for criticizing the government’s
management of issues such as tourism, agriculture, fishing and cultural
affairs. Since his arrest, there have been consistent reports of abuse,
appalling prison conditions and denial of medical attention.
Alarmed at the reports of the deteriorating health of Normando
Hernández González, I respectfully urge the Cuban authorities to
allow Mr. Hernández, as a matter of urgency, to receive medical
attention from physicians of his choice and to present his family with
all necessary information to make decisions impacting his treatment. In
addition, I request the immediate release of all writers and
journalists held in Cuban prisons in violation of their right to
freedom of expression as recognized in Article 19 of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights.
Thank you for your attention.
Sincerely,
[Your name and signature]
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