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The Cuban authorities have announced that they intend to release 52 political prisoners. The first prisoners are expected to arrive in Madrid tomorrow (13 July). Cuba has come under increased international pressure following the death of political prisoner Orlando Zapato Tamayo in February. Tamayo had been on a hunger strike. The first five prisoners are being allowed to travel to Spain with their relatives. The remaining 47 will be released over the next few months, they will also be allowed to relocate to Spain. The Cuban Human Rights Commission claims that after the releases Cuban jails will still hold 110 political prisoners.
The Iranian government has released 140 people who were being detained for their part in the unrest following the disputed election. Another 150 people are believed to be still in detention. This comes amid increasing reports of abuse and torture in prison. Read more here
US President Barack Obama has called upon the Cuban government to free all of its political prisoners. The US President issued the statement while maintaining that he would like closer US-Cuban relations in the future if the communist country takes steps towards democracy. Read more here