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Rights marches broken up in Cuba | Rights marches broken up in Cuba |
(1 day later) | |
Cuban dissidents trying to hold a silent march in Havana to mark Human Rights Day were confronted by crowds chanting pro-government slogans. | Cuban dissidents trying to hold a silent march in Havana to mark Human Rights Day were confronted by crowds chanting pro-government slogans. |
Government supporters screaming insults broke up two small groups of dissidents marching through Havana. | Government supporters screaming insults broke up two small groups of dissidents marching through Havana. |
They also targeted a UK diplomat, Chris Stimpson, who was monitoring events, surrounding and banging on his car. | They also targeted a UK diplomat, Chris Stimpson, who was monitoring events, surrounding and banging on his car. |
Plain clothes police stepped in to protect him and the British embassy has declined further comment on the issue. | Plain clothes police stepped in to protect him and the British embassy has declined further comment on the issue. |
Across Havana, there was a second protest march, this time by the Ladies in White, who are the mothers and wives of prisoners. | |
They too were surrounded and jostled. | They too were surrounded and jostled. |
The authorities call these counter-demonstrations spontaneous outbursts by concerned citizens defending the Cuban revolution. | The authorities call these counter-demonstrations spontaneous outbursts by concerned citizens defending the Cuban revolution. |
Critics say they are organised mobs aimed at intimidating any opposition. | Critics say they are organised mobs aimed at intimidating any opposition. |
There had been hopes that Raul Castro would end such tactics when he took over the presidency from his brother, Fidel, but old habits, it seems, die hard. | There had been hopes that Raul Castro would end such tactics when he took over the presidency from his brother, Fidel, but old habits, it seems, die hard. |
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