Yordis García Fournier has been on a hunger strike in Combinado de Guantánamo prison since October 11, 2008. He is being held naked in a "punishment cell" for refusing to wear the uniform of a common criminal. Yordis is a member of the Cuban Youth Movement for Democracy (CYMD), an organization of students and young professionals that advocates for academic freedom, university autonomy and respect for human rights. He is also director of the independent newsletter Porvenir.
In the months leading up to his arrest, summary trial and imprisonment, Yordis was arbitrarily arrested on various occasions due to his involvement in the CYMD and as director of Porvenir.
On November 27, 2007, Yordis joined young people from Santiago de Cuba, Holguín, Villa Clara, and Havana, along with opposition activists from various pro-democracy organizations, to publicly present the first 5,000 signed petitions of the University Students without Borders initiative, which calls for university autonomy, to an audience that included European Union diplomats from Hungary and Poland, as well as international press outlets.
YOU CAN HELP!
Join Raices' international campaign to raise awareness about Yordis' case among Cuban officials. It will only take a couple seconds to send emails or call people that need to be aware of this injustice.
You can setup a conference call to the prison Yordis is detained with your local CAUSA chapter or group of friends, or call individually. For more information and to be connected directly (if you don't have long distance), please contact Laura at Directorio Democratico Cubano (305) 220-2713.
If you would like to make the call on your own, you can call the following numbers:
Prisión Combinado de Guantánamo
011-53-21-32-3849
011-53-21-35-5465
011-53-21-32-2441
011-53-21-303123
011-53-21-303177
If you are able to get through, we would love to hear your feedback, please email us at info@raicesdeesperanza.org. Thanks!
OR Copy and paste the following email (or write your own message)
A la representación diplomática que corresponda:
Me dirijo a usted con preocupación y espasmo por la situación crítica de un joven activista de derechos humanos, Yordis García Fournier, quien se plantó en huelga de hambre en la prisión Combinado de Guantánamo desde el 11 de octubre de 2008.
Permanece desnudo en una celda de castigo por negarse a vestir el uniforme de preso común.
Sabemos que Yordis es una activista que aboga por los derechos de los estudiantes cubanos que ha sido tratado inhumanamente en la prisione donde se encuentra encarcelado injustamente. Estamos muy pendientes de lo que pueda llegar a pasarle ya que se encuentra en estado grave de salud, y en virtud de esto es que solicitamos a su delegación diplomática que tenga a bien brindarnos información acerca de su situacion.
Hago propicia esta oportunidad para saludarlo atentamente.
Please be aware that some of these emails may reach the hands of Cuban authorities, so please be cautious of what information may be contained in your email signature, etc.
Yordis García Fournier has been on a hunger strike in Combinado de Guantánamo prison since October 11, 2008. He is being held naked in a "punishment cell" for refusing to wear the uniform of a common criminal. Yordis is a member of the Cuban Youth Movement for Democracy (CYMD), an organization of students and young professionals that advocates for academic freedom, university autonomy and respect for human rights. He is also director of the independent newsletter Porvenir.
