UN rights envoy appeals to Fidel Castro to pardon jailed Cubans

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights’ personal representative for Cuba has appealed to President Fidel Castro to pardon 50 Cubans sentenced to long prison terms recently on charges of treason.

The representative, Christine Chanet, launched her appeal after the Cuban Supreme Court upheld the sentences earlier this week.

On 21 April the UN Commission on Human Rights adopted a resolution urging Cuba to allow a visit by Ms. Chanet, who is charged with investigating questions related to the exercise of civil liberties on the island.

Earlier that month, High Commissioner Sergio Vieira de Mello said he would request Cuba to provide detailed information on the trial process of the accused.