Marta Beatriz Roque
Encyclopedia
Marta Beatriz Roque Cabello (Born May 16, 1945) is a prominent Cuba
n political dissident. She is an economist by training, and the founder as well as director of the Cuban Institute of Independent Economists
.
for having written this document.
and convicted. She was sentenced to 20 years in prison for supposedly engaging in “activities aimed at subverting the internal order of the Cuban State, provoking its destabilization and the loss of its independence,” and receiving “substantial monetary funds from the U.S. Government.” The proceedings have been the subject of much criticism, as numerous NGOs have claimed that they failed to meet the international
fair
trial
standards. After her trial, Amnesty International
adopted her as a prisoner of conscience during both of her incarcerations.
On July 22, 2004, Ms. Roque was unexpectedly released from prison due to her declining health; however, she is subject to rearrest, as medical parole is given only for the duration of an illness.
attacks and the left part of her body has become numb.
.
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
n political dissident. She is an economist by training, and the founder as well as director of the Cuban Institute of Independent Economists
Politics Activities
Ms. Roque has been imprisoned on numerous occasions for her forceful opposition to the Cuban government's policiesHuman rights in Cuba
Human Rights Watch is among international human rights organizations accusing the Cuban government of systematic human rights abuses, including torture, arbitrary imprisonment, unfair trials, and extrajudicial execution....
.
The Homeland Belongs to All
In 1997, she published a paper titled "The Homeland Belongs to All," http://www.cubanet.org/CNews/y97/jul97/homdoc.htm which discussed Cuba's human rights situation and called for political and economic reforms. She was imprisoned from July 1997-May 2000 after being sentenced with seditionSedition
In law, sedition is overt conduct, such as speech and organization, that is deemed by the legal authority to tend toward insurrection against the established order. Sedition often includes subversion of a constitution and incitement of discontent to lawful authority. Sedition may include any...
for having written this document.
2003 Government Crackdown
She was rearessted in March 2003 along with 74 other dissidents in what some have called the "Black Spring" crackdown. On April 3, 2003, Ms. Roque was brought to trialTrial
A trial is, in the most general sense, a test, usually a test to see whether something does or does not meet a given standard.It may refer to:*Trial , the presentation of information in a formal setting, usually a court...
and convicted. She was sentenced to 20 years in prison for supposedly engaging in “activities aimed at subverting the internal order of the Cuban State, provoking its destabilization and the loss of its independence,” and receiving “substantial monetary funds from the U.S. Government.” The proceedings have been the subject of much criticism, as numerous NGOs have claimed that they failed to meet the international
International
----International mostly means something that involves more than one country. The term international as a word means involvement of, interaction between or encompassing more than one nation, or generally beyond national boundaries...
fair
Fair
A fair or fayre is a gathering of people to display or trade produce or other goods, to parade or display animals and often to enjoy associated carnival or funfair entertainment. It is normally of the essence of a fair that it is temporary; some last only an afternoon while others may ten weeks. ...
trial
Trial
A trial is, in the most general sense, a test, usually a test to see whether something does or does not meet a given standard.It may refer to:*Trial , the presentation of information in a formal setting, usually a court...
standards. After her trial, Amnesty International
Amnesty International
Amnesty International is an international non-governmental organisation whose stated mission is "to conduct research and generate action to prevent and end grave abuses of human rights, and to demand justice for those whose rights have been violated."Following a publication of Peter Benenson's...
adopted her as a prisoner of conscience during both of her incarcerations.
On July 22, 2004, Ms. Roque was unexpectedly released from prison due to her declining health; however, she is subject to rearrest, as medical parole is given only for the duration of an illness.
Assembly to Promote Civil Society in Cuba
In 2005, Ms. Roque founded the Assembly to Promote Civil Society in Cuba (Asamblea para Promover la Sociedad Civil en Cuba), a coalition of some 365 non-governmental organizations. She is the organization's current director.Amnesty International
According to Amnesty International, since her release from prison, Ms. Roque has been the subject of considerable harassments by Cuban government supporters and state security agents.Medical Conditions
Martha Beatriz is suffering from frequent nauseaNausea
Nausea , is a sensation of unease and discomfort in the upper stomach with an involuntary urge to vomit. It often, but not always, precedes vomiting...
attacks and the left part of her body has become numb.
Prizes
She is a recipient of the 2002 Heinz R. Pagels Human Rights of Scientists Award of the New York Academy of SciencesNew York Academy of Sciences
The New York Academy of Sciences is the third oldest scientific society in the United States. An independent, non-profit organization with more than members in 140 countries, the Academy’s mission is to advance understanding of science and technology...
.