Thu Mar 13 15:20

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UN probe says Cuban downing of aircraft was "premeditated"
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(Geneva) -- The UN special investigator into human rights in Cuba says last year's shooting down of two civilian aircraft was a "premeditated act" and a "violation of the right to life."

The report comes from Carl-Johan Groth, in his report to the United Nations Human Rights Commission. The Swedish Diplomat also says the Cuban government had continued intense harassment of dissidents in 1996. In Groth's words, "to be a dissident in Cuba is as difficult and risky today as it has been at any time in recent years."

The report says threats, intimidating visits and penalties for alleged economic crimes are used to break up any form of opposition to Fidel Castro. Groth says he has documented nine cases of political prisoners with serious health problems who were NOT receiving proper medical treatment.

(Copyright 1997 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

APNP-03-13-97 1217EST