Free the Miami Five

The following is a resolution carried unanimously by a 
National Consultation of Australia-Cuba Friendship Societies held 
in Canberra, March 5-7, 2004.

This National Consultation of Australia-Cuba Friendship Societies 
joins with others around the world to express its solidarity with 
the five courageous young Cubans — Gerardo Hernandez, Rene 
Gonzales, Antonio Guerrero, Ramon Labatino and Fernando Gonzalez 
— who entered the United States in 1998 to monitor the actions 
of extremist groups in Miami in an attempt to protect Cuba from 
invasion and acts of terrorism.

For more than 40 years, these groups have engaged in violent acts 
against Cuba and anyone who calls for a normalisation of 
relations between Cuba and the United States.

Between 1990 and 2000, there were 108 such attacks, both inside 
Cuba and against its diplomats abroad. In 1997, there were ten 
bombings in Havana alone. In June 1998, Cuba sent the FBI 
specific information about the activities of these Miami-based 
mobsters.

But instead of clamping down on the criminals, the FBI arrested 
the five Cubans claiming it had uncovered a "Cuban spy network" 
trying to "infiltrate" the US Southern Command.

From the moment of their arrest, the five were isolated and kept 
in solitary confinement for 17 months before being subjected to a 
politically motivated trial in Miami.

Twelve jurors were chosen from a pool of 150, all of whom were 
asked about their views on Cuba, and if any expressed opinions at 
odds with the prevailing anti-Cuban ideology, they were 
automatically disqualified.

In June 2001, after a six-month trial, the Five were found guilty 
on all 26 counts after only a few hours deliberation by the jury 
which did not ask a single question despite the complexity of the 
case or make a request to review any of the testimony.

The prosecution brazenly held meetings with the Miami Mafia and 
was unable to prove that any of the five had carried out a single 
illegal act or had stolen any military secrets, whereas defence 
lawyers presented extensive evidence about the violent criminal 
activities of the US-based gangsters who had operated against 
Cuba since the 1959 Revolution and any who dared to stand up to 
them.

The presiding judge handed out horrific sentences, ranging from 
15 years to double-life.

In an effort to break the Cubans' spirit, US authorities sent 
them to separate jails across the country — some of the very 
worst — refused to recognise them as political prisoners and 
prevented them from seeing their wives and families.

From February 28, 2003 to March 31, 2003, the Five were once 
again isolated in "holes" — punishment cells — cutting off all 
their communications with the outside world during a crucial 
stage of their legal process.

We condemn Washington's gross violation of international human 
rights and demand the sentences for the Five are quashed and that 
they are immediately returned to their country and their 
families.

We send greetings to the people of Cuba, with a special greeting 
to the families of the Five Cubans.

Signed by:

Australia-Cuba Friendship Society Branches: Melbourne, Canberra, 
Sydney, Western Sydney, Brisbane, Albury, Adelaide and Hobart