Cuba pardoning 3,522 prisoners ahead of Pope's visit

In view of the visit of Pope Francis to Cuba in less than 10 days time, the nation’s Communist government is pardoning 3,522 prisoners, the official daily Granma said on Friday.  So far this will be the largest group granted amnesty since the 1959 revolution, in a goowill gesture to Pope Francis who is visiting the island nation, Sept. 19-22.  "On the occasion of the visit by His Holiness Pope Francis, the Council of State of the Republic of Cuba (the highest governmental body)... agreed to pardon 3,522 prisoners, chosen due to the nature of the acts for which they were jailed, their behavior in prison, the time of punishment and health concerns," the newspaper said.  

The prisoners to be freed include a mix of women, people younger than 20, inmates suffering from illnesses and people whose terms were coming to an end next year.  The government won't release people convicted of serious crimes like murder, child sexual abuse or violations of state security. The final category is often applied to people considered political prisoners by Cuban and international human rights groups. The government says the group includes some foreigners whose home countries have agreed to repatriate them.

Pope Francis is credited with helping bring about diplomatic thaw  between Cuba and the United States after decades of  enmity.  But the 78-year-old Argentine pontiff himself said it was more the goodwill of the two sides.  

 

 

 

(Source: AFP)