Amnesty International's Brighton & Hove group has created an online petition calling for the immediate and unconditional release of five Cuban trade unionists.

The men have been arrested for excercising their rights to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly, and have never used or advocated the use of violence in opposition of the government.

Amnesty International's Brighton & Hove group is urging the Cuban authorities to give the men due access to lawyers, medical care and family members. They are also calling for the family members to be updated on the whereabouts and status of the prisoners.

Prisoners of conscience in Cuba has long since been an important campaign for Amnesty International's Brighton & Hove Group. In 2003, 75 Cubas - doctors, lawyers, economists, pro-democracy activists, and others - were arrested as part of a governmental security crackdown.

The petition can be found online at: www.ipetitions.com/petition/Cubamnesty/ [1]