PUBLICAI Index: AMR 25/31/99

5 July 1999

Further information on EXTRA 10/99 (AMR 25/03/99, 29 January 1999) - Death Penalty / Imminent execution

CUBASergio Antonio DUARTE SCULL

Carlos Rafael PELÁEZ PRIETO (name corrected)

Amnesty International has learned that Carlos Rafael Peláez Prieto was executed by firing squad on 22 May 1999. Sources believe that Sergio Antonio Duarte Scull was also executed, since he was tried in the same case, although they have not yet been able to confirm this with his relatives.

Carlos Rafael Peláez Prieto and Sergio Antonio Duarte Scull were sentenced to death on 22 January 1999, convicted of killing four foreigners in Cuba.

Amnesty International is concerned that there has been an increase in the use of the death penalty in Cuba this year. According to reports, at least 11 people were executed and at least five more sentenced to death in the past three months. A total of about a dozen people reportedly remain on death row.

Amnesty International opposes the death penalty in all cases as a violation of the right to life and of the right not to be subjected to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment, as proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Concern about the death penalty in Cuba is exacerbated by the authorities’ failure to uphold their own guarantees of fair trials, particularly the right to defence.

Many thanks to all who sent appeals. No further action is required by the Urgent Action network, but participants who wish to do so may send a final round of telegrams/telexes/faxes/express/airmail letters in Spanish or your own language:

- expressing concern that Carlos Rafael Peláez Prieto was executed;

- expressing concern that Sergio Antonio Duarte Scull may have been executed and asking that, if this is not the case, his sentence be commuted;

- expressing concern that there has been an increase in the use of the death penalty in recent months in Cuba;

- expressing unconditional opposition to the death penalty in all cases as a violation of the right to life and the right not to be subjected to cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment;

- expressing sympathy for the victims of violent crime and their families and friends, but pointing out that the death penalty has never been shown to deter crime more effectively than other punishments;

- urging that all other pending death sentences be commuted and that no further death sentences be passed.

APPEALS TO:

Head of State and Government

Dr. Fidel Castro Ruz

Presidente de los Consejos de Estados y de Ministros

La Habana

Cuba

Telex: 511122/ 5111464 (Via Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Telegrams: Presidente, Havana, Cuba

Fax: +53 7 - 333 085 / 335 261 (Via Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Salutation: Su Excelencia/Your excellency

President of the People's Supreme Court

Dr José Raúl Amaro Salup

Presidente del Tribunal Supremo Popular

La Habana, Cuba

Telegrams: Presidente, Tribunal Supremo Popular, Havana, Cuba

Telexes: 511457 tsupo

Salutation: Sr Presidente del Tribunal Supremo Popular / Dear President of the People's Supreme Court

Attorney General

Dr Juan Escalona Reguera

Fiscal General de la República

Fiscalía General de la República

San Rafael 3

La Habana, Cuba

Telegrams: Fiscal General, Havana, Cuba

Telexes: 511456 fisge

Faxes: + 53 - 57 07 95

Salutation: Sr Fiscal General / Dear Attorney General

Minister of Foreign Affairs

Sr. Felipe Pérez Roque

Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores

Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores

Calzada No. 360

Vedado, La Habana, Cuba

Telegrams: Ministro Relaciones Exteriores, Havana, Cuba

Telexes: 511122 / 511464 / 512950

Faxes: + 53 7 335261 / + 53 7 333085

Salutation: Sr Ministro / Dear Minister

COPIES TO:

National Union of Jurists

Dra Zenaida Osorio Vizcaina

Presidente

Unión Nacional de Juristas de Cuba

Calle 21, No. 552, esq. D

Apartado 4161

La Habana 4, Cuba

Granma (daily newspaper)

Granma, Apdo 6260, La Habana, Cuba

and to diplomatic representatives of Cuba accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 1999.