Open Letter On the Occasion of the Fifteenth Anniversary of the Detention of the Cuban Five and Dedicated to the memory of Bernie Dwyer R.I.P

Dear President Obama,

The cases of four of the Cuban 5 who remain unjustly incarcerated in U.S. prisons and that of Mr. Alan Gross, who is serving a long prison sentence in Cuba are of international concern to many persons and groups from a broad range of backgrounds and interests.

During the recent 5 days for the 5 in Washington D.C. more than 150 members of parliaments from around the world lent their names to the call for justice.

It is beyond time that a humanitarian solution was found. Sept 12th 2013 is the fifteenth anniversary of the detention of the Five. Enough time has passed.

Advocates from both sides, primarily family members of the prisoners, share a common cause and both sides need the very same things to happen in order that their loved ones may return to their homelands and families.

Put simply there is a need for respectful, truthful, trusting and courageous dialogue in an atmosphere of equality between the U.S and Cuban administrations and a consequent development of the necessary political will and action to bring an end to what has been a prolonged and painful experience for everybody affected by the cases.

We the undersigned support their common cause and we join family members from both sides in a united call for dialogue to commence and for reciprocal humanitarian prisoner releases to take place immediately.

We are aware of the progress presently underway towards the normalization of many aspects of U.S / Cuban relations and are optimistic that it will continue for the betterment of both societies.

We support this progress and consider that it provides a context in which the cases of the Five and of Mr. Gross can be addressed and resolved.

In solidarity with the families of all concerned and with sincere and hopeful thanks for your attention and interest.

– Ms. Mairead Maguire, Nobel Peace Laureate and Peace Advocate.

– Ms. Maureen O Sullivan, T.D. (Member of the Irish National Parliament) and Member of Governmental Foreign Affairs Committee.

– Mr. Thomas Pringle T.D. (Member of the Irish National Parliament)

– Mr. Pat Muldowney, Professor of Mathematics (R) at Magee University, Social and Political Historian and Author,

Cuba Support Group Ireland is pleased to support the Cuban Five commemoration in Dublin on 12 September, see www.twitter.com/cubasupport for details