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Varela Project
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==Black Spring (2003)== {{Main|Black Spring (Cuba)}} The Cuban government dismissed the Varela Project and its petition. The Cuban government said that the project was part of a "counterrevolutionary" plot and "strategy of subversion against Cuba" orchestrated by the United States and the [[United States Interests Section in Havana|U.S. Interests Section in Havana]].<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.granma.cu/documento/ingles03/012.html |title = Granma International Digital, Cuba English |access-date = 2008-07-27 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080408143309/http://www.granma.cu/documento/ingles03/012.html |archive-date = 2008-04-08 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.ruleoflawandcuba.fsu.edu/regime-23.cfm |title = Rule of Law and Cuba |access-date = 2008-07-27 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080819235229/http://www.ruleoflawandcuba.fsu.edu/regime-23.cfm |archive-date = 2008-08-19 |url-status = dead }}</ref> In March 2003, Cuba arrested 75 human rights activists and dissidents, including 25 members of the Varela Project, on a variety of charges.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.hermanos.org/docs/tmh032103.html |title = Posted on Thu |access-date = 2008-07-27 |author = NANCY SAN MARTIN}}</ref> The dissidents were sentenced in public trials to prison terms of between 6 and 28 years for "mercenary activities and other acts against the independence or territorial integrity of the state".<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.ruleoflawandcuba.fsu.edu/regime-22.cfm |title = Rule of Law and Cuba |access-date = 2008-07-27 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080819234948/http://www.ruleoflawandcuba.fsu.edu/regime-22.cfm |archive-date = 2008-08-19 }}</ref> [[Amnesty International]] said it was concerned that the 75 jailed activists may be [[Prisoner of conscience|prisoners of conscience]] who were imprisoned for their non-violent advocacy for [[democracy]].<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/AMR25/008/2003/en |title = Cuba: Massive crackdown on dissent | publisher=Amnesty International |access-date = 24 July 2012 |date = 2 April 2003}}</ref> According to the US State Department, many of those arrested had no access to attorneys until the day of their trial, which was by a judge subordinate to the [[Communist Party of Cuba|Communist Party]].<ref name="state2"/> The [[United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights]] expressed concern regarding the arrests and summary trials.<ref name="state2"/> The US State Department said "Jose Daniel Ferrer Garcia, a Varela Project leader and one of the 75 activists arrested in March 2003, reported serving 45 days in a punishment cell for protesting the suspension of correspondence and the delivery of food and medical supplies from his family. He did not receive food or water during the first 3 days of his confinement and slept on a cement floor. Authorities confiscated his Bible and prohibited any contact with other prisoners. Ferrer was serving a 25 year sentence for "acts against the independence or the territorial integrity of the State.""<ref name="state2"/> According to the US State Department, "Fabio Prieto Llorente, one of the 75 activists arrested in March 2003, reported he was held in a small cell with leaky walls and a cement slab for a bed. The cell was infested with rats, frogs, and insects".<ref name="state2"/> The US State Department said "Yarai Reyes, wife of Normando Hernandez Gonzalez, 1 of the 75 political prisoners arrested in March 2003, reported that prison authorities incited common prisoners to beat her husband".<ref name="state2"/> According to the US State Department "Barbara Rojo Arias, wife of Omar Ruiz Hernandez, an independent journalist and 1 of the 75 human rights activists arrested in March 2003, reported that her husband was denied access to required medications for his heart condition and stomach problems.<ref name="state2"/> The US State Department said "Oscar Espinosa Chepe, a political prisoner released during the year, reported that prison officials regularly denied him adequate medical treatment during his 20-month incarceration".<ref name="state2"/> The US State Department said that Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet "was sent to a punishment cell for refusing to eat in the prison cafeteria, wear the uniform of common prisoners, and stand at attention when guards entered his cell. He was not permitted to read, write, or leave his cell to get exercise. In addition, prison authorities refused to accept food and medical supplies brought by Morejon or permit anyone to bring him food. As a result, Biscet found himself on a virtual hunger strike".<ref name="state2"/>
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