Amnesty denounces detentions of Cuba opposition

Amnesty International has said the human rights situation on the island "has further deteriorated" with thousands of express detentions meant to cow the small dissident community. It said detainees are threatened and sometimes beaten before release. "The Cuban government wages a permanent campaign of harassment and short-term detentions of political opponents to stop them from demanding respect for civil and political rights," Amnesty wrote. "Criticism of the government is not tolerated in Cuba and it is routinely punished." Amnesty noted that it has long spoken out against the 50-year U.S. economic embargo on Cuba, but also criticized the government of President Raul Castro for using the sanctions as an excuse to repress the rights of the Cuban people. Raul and his brother Fidel have led the country since 1959, and only the Communist Party is legal here. "Regardless of US foreign policy toward Cuba, the Cuban authorities are solely responsible for the violations of civil and political rights," Amnesty said. The report says one Cuban activist was detained 15 times between April and October of 2011, and another taken in 17 times since July for reporting on protest marches. It says authorities have also increased harassment of the Ladies in White dissident group that has sought to step up activities in the provinces.