| Press Statement Sean McCormack, Spokesman Washington, DC March 20, 2007 Fourth Anniversary of the Cuban Dissident CrackdownThis month marks the fourth anniversary of Cuba's crackdown on independent civil society. In March 2003, the regime arrested members of Cuba's independent civil society, rounding up 75 independent thinkers, journalists, librarians, and academics. These individuals were sentenced to as many as 25 years in prison for carrying out activities that citizens living in democracies across the globe participate in every day. Four years later, 59 of the original 75 remain behind bars. Those who have been released know that it is "conditional" and live with the constant threat of being sent back to jail. They also know, as all Cubans do, that repression is on the rise. Cuba's future will be decided by the Cuban people. For this process to begin, it is time for Cuban authorities to stop the cycle of repression, to end the practice of holding political prisoners, and to release all political prisoners to their homes and families in Cuba. 2007/210
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