Geneva, Mar 10 (Prensa Latina) Cuba requested on Wednesday at the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) to retake the case of the Cuban Five, the detention of which in the United States was termed arbitrary in this capital.

  "Our country considers necessary to recall that the case of the five Cuban antiterrorist fighters unfairly imprisoned in US jails is still pending, the imprisonment of which was termed arbitrary," Anayansi Rodriguez, director of the Multilateral Affairs Department (DAM) at the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said.

The diplomat states that the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention in its Opinion 19/2005 showed the illegality of the measure.

Addressing an interactive debate with Rapporteurs on Arbitrary Detentions and Enforced Disappearances during the 13th session of the HRC, Rodriguez brought up the verdict about the file of the Cuban Five, as they are universally known.

"UN experts stressed then that the sentence for Antonio Guerrero, Fernando Gonzalez, Gerardo Hernandez, Ramon Labañino and Rene Gonzalez of being deprived of their freedom is arbitrary and violates international laws," she noted.

The Cuban official stated that the Washington government continues its political manipulation, "even pressing legal entities," proving incapacity of acting with objectivity and independence in issues about Cuba.

The wives of two of the Cuban Five, Olga Salanueva and Adriana Perez, attending this meeting, are still prevented of visiting their husbands, Rodriguez noted.

The DAM director requested the president-rapporteur in charge of Arbitrary Detentions to share with the HRC his opinions about the case, and change actions to monitor the case.

Rodriguez urged international community to support the release of those who are currently paradigms of the struggle against terrorism.