Dissidents released after Pope's Cuba visit

Christian Solidarity Worldwide reports that "hundreds" of Cuban dissidents were released following Pope Benedict XVI's departure from the communist country.

They dissidents, who are demanding greater freedom, had either spent the week in prison or under house arrest to stop them from attending religious activities surrounding the Pope's visit, CSW says.

Caridad Caballero, a Catholic dissident from Holguin, was arrested along with another woman, Isabel Peña Torrez, on their way to Mass last Sunday morning.

“We were never told we were under arrest, but were threatened with violence if we did not cooperate," she told CSW.

Officials took the women to a local prison and attempted to strip search them. Caballero refused to allow them to remove her underwear but said another woman had her top violently torn off.

An estimated 30 dissidents from Holguin were held in the same prison and eight additional activists had been transported from Santiago province, to the east of Holguin, where the Pope spent part of his two-day visit.

Although they were reportedly prevented from receiving Bibles, Caballero said she and other prisoners spent the week praying and fasting.

“During the time we spent the whole time praying," she said.

"We went on a complete fast – no food or water until we were released. I tried to stay in silence as much as possible.

"We prayed and prayed so many prayers that God would open the doors and prayed that no one else would have to suffer like this just for speaking the truth.

"It was God who gave us strength and He even took away our hunger.”

Caballero was released on Wednesday and returned home to find that her husband and son had been kept under house arrest for the duration of her detention.

She has been prevented from participating in any religious activities at her local church since the beginning of the year and is concerned that she will not be allowed to practise her faith without interference.

“My first communion should be on 8 April. We will have to wait and see if the authorities will allow me to go to church and do this.”

CSW’s Advocacy Director Andrew Johnston said he was "deeply disappointed" by the "violently repressive tactics" employed by the regime.

The interference from the authorities had been intended to "prevent ‘undesirables’ from participating in Pope Benedict XVI’s visit", he said.

"Men and women who are members of the Catholic Church and derive deep strength and inspiration from their faith were arbitrarily deprived of the right to participate in what could be a once in a lifetime religious celebration," said Mr Johnston.

"Once again, we urge the Cuban government to remove all restrictions on religious freedom and to allow its citizens to practice the faith of their choice without interference.”