Dissident treatment: the Ladies in White

For the Ladies in White, this week is the sixth anniversary of the sentencing of their husbands, sons and fathers—Cuban dissident journalists jailed in 2003 for reportedly “receiving money from the United States with the aim of destroying the Revolution“—and they are mirroring the years with six days of demonstrations. Their protests are simple and peaceful: they dress in white, holding gladiolus and pictures of their loved ones, and attend mass in crowded Churches or walk through Old Havana.

The Ladies in White protested today outside of Havana’s Supreme Tribunal, but their path was blocked and they were yelled at and harassed by civilians who the Ladies believe were following official orders. They were then picked up by State Security forces and transported to the home of one of the women.

In the past, their treatment has been similar, and the state has not been tolerant of their existence. The European Parliament awarded the Ladies in White the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in 2005 for their efforts on behalf of human rights, but the Cuban state refused to grant them the exit visas to attend the related ceremony and accept the award.

They have written a letter to the European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, who is currently visiting Cuba, with a request to meet while he is in the country. Michel has not yet responded, but he declined to meet with any Cuban dissident groups during his previous visit last October.