Definition of the Ladies in White

It is a group of defense and fight for the human rights in Cuba that is made up of wives and relatives of political prisoners. Its fundamental watchwords include the freedom of expression Y thought, and respect for individual freedoms.

Its characteristic features include the white clothing, which gave rise to the name of the group, and the carrying of the photographs of their detained relatives.

He was born against the repression of dissidents

It arose in 2003 as a consequence of the arbitrary arrests of Cuban dissidents in the framework of the event known as Spring Black Cuban, and that consisted of a succession of arrests of journalists, intellectuals, and activists, among others, who did not agree with the government of Fidel Castro.

Laura Pollán was its founder and most visible face until 2011 when she passed away, at the age of 63, due to cardiac arrest.

By profession a teacher of literature, an activity that she developed until she retired, Pollán, assumed in 2003 the representation of the group that They complained to the government of Cuba for the illegal detention of her husbands, in her particular case, and of other so many.

She was married to the journalist and head of the Cuban Liberal Democratic Party, Héctor Maseda Gutiérrez.

For the government they are seditious, not political prisoners

According to the group, until today, they were arrested for expressing their public opposition to the Castro regime and for allegedly receiving money from the United States to overthrow the government of Castro.

For its part, the government maintains that they were arrested and sentenced for committing common crimes against the nation. ​

Most of those arrested in 2003 were sentenced to 28 years in effective prison.

Demonstrations versus repressions

In 2016, the attacks against the group intensified in the context of the official visit of former US President Barack Obama.

From that moment on, the ladies are prevented from going to mass to pray for the liberation of the prisoners.

The violence and the repression against the group has never stopped and in May 2019 a new escalation of attack was registered again when the police and other forces in charge of the safety in Cuba they acted against a demonstration.

Several members of the group and a human rights activist were arrested.

They proposed to attend mass and reiterate the demand for the release of political prisoners.

Berta Soler, leader of the group, was arrested with extreme violence, according to her husband, Ángel Moya, who knew he was a political prisoner.

After her release, Soler reported that she was held captive for two hours in a patrol car.

The arrest took place at the door of her house and according to eyewitnesses it was very violent, and even Berta herself confirmed that they hit her on the head.

International work and recognition

In addition to the meetings and demonstrations, the Ladies in White ask the world for collaboration, especially asking for medicines and toys.

On the other hand, they ask all those people who visit Cuba, and who know the cause, to support them.

The group is recognized worldwide for its work, and in 2005 the European Parliament honored it with the Sarajov Prize for freedom of freedom. conscience, and the Human Rights group also gave them a simile award.

It should be noted that their struggle is recognized especially by the exiled citizens of Cuba, many of them personalities. artists such as Gloria Estefan, Willy Chirino, and many others of other origin, but who support the cause, such as the singer Shakira and the group Juanes.

Themes in the Ladies in White