Antonio Michel Lima Cruz and Marcos Maiquel Lima Cruz are Cuban brothers and
dissident
A dissident is a person who actively challenges an established Political system, political or Organized religion, religious system, doctrine, belief, policy, or institution. In a religious context, the word has been used since the 18th century, and ...
journalists. They are members of the Cuban Council of Human Rights Rapporteurs.
In 2009, their online newspaper ''Cardogna'' was shut down by the
Cuban government
Cuba has had a socialist political system since 1959 based on the "one state – one party" principle. Cuba is constitutionally defined as a Marxist–Leninist state. The present Constitution of Cuba, which was passed in a 2019 referendum, also ...
.
In the evening of
Christmas Day
Christmas is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of people around the world. A feast central to the Christian liturgical year, ...
2010, the brothers were hosting a party at which they played
hip-hop music with lyrics criticizing the lack of free speech in Cuba. The party was raided by police, and both brothers were arrested.
[ They were subsequently charged with "insulting symbols of their homeland".]Amnesty International
Amnesty International (also referred to as Amnesty or AI) is an international non-governmental organization focused on human rights, with its headquarters in the United Kingdom. The organization says it has more than ten million members and sup ...
described as a "summary trial". Antonio Michel sentenced to two years' imprisonment, and Marcos Maiquel to three years' imprisonment. Amnesty International designated them to be prisoners of conscience, "detained solely for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression".[
]
References
Living people
Amnesty International prisoners of conscience held by Cuba
Cuban prisoners and detainees
Year of birth missing (living people)
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