The World Council of Churches (WCC) General Secretary, Rev Dr Samuel Kobia has reported that the organisation will continue to offer pastoral accompaniment to the relatives of a group of imprisoned people known as the 'Cuban Five'.

The global ecumenical body has stated that it will also advocate for the relatives' right to visit them, following Dr Kobia's meeting with two of the prisoners' relatives, Adriana Pérez and Magalys Llort, last week in Geneva.

Dr Kobia explained that the Council's support will be channelled especially through the churches and ecumenical organisations in Cuba.

The WCC Head also praised the work done by the churches in the U.S. in accompanying the five Cubans and their relatives.

He said, "The WCC is concerned that relatives have found it extremely difficult, if not impossible for some of them, to visit the prisoners, and will therefore strongly appeal for them to be allowed to visit the prisoners on humanitarian grounds."