Ladies in White human-rights protesters detained

A large group of activists has been arrested in Havana during a peaceful protest marking International Human-Rights Day, writes Isabel de Bertodano. The leader of the Damas de Blanco (Ladies in White), Berta Soler, was among up to 200 people detained by the Cuban police on 10 December during a march in support of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Thursday 17 December marked the first anniversary since the dramatic announcement of a rapprochement between Cold War enemies Cuba and the United States. The reestablishment of diplomatic relations was regarded as a move towards a brighter future for Cuba and a likely improvement in its human-rights record.

However, according to the Cuban Commission for Human Rights and National Reconciliation, there were at least 1,477 politically motivated arrests in Cuba last month, the highest monthly total for many years. Members of the Damas de Blanco are accustomed to being arbitrarily detained by the Cuban authorities.