Cuba’s dissident journalist Guillermo Fariñas on hunger strike demanding release of ailing political prisoners

The Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Poland expresses solidarity with the Cuban dissident and human rights activist Guillermo Fariñas who went on hunger strike (after the death of Orlando Zapata Tamayo) to seek the release of Cuba’s most vulnerable prisoners of conscience. The Foreign Ministry is deeply concerned about Guillermo Fariñas’ ill health. Poland has a high regard for the determination of Guillermo Fariñas who risks his life in defence of the basic civic freedoms and democratic values. Poland expresses sympathy with the fate of Cuba’s political prisoners, and victims of repression and their families.

While strongly supporting Guillermo Fariñas’ democratic ideals, we appeal to him not to continue his hunger strike as his own life is of the highest value. Guillermo Fariñas’ fellow countrymen need his further involvement in defending the civil rights in Cuba as an example of sacrifice for the highest ideals.

At the same time, Poland emphasises the significance of the appeal to the Cuban authorities by the European Union calling for the immediate release of Cuba’s detained political dissidents.

Piotr Paszkowski
Press Spokesman