Reacting in anger to the news that the Cuban detainee abuse hearings have stalled until at least the new year, Cuban Americans yesterday vowed to take renewed action in response.<\/p>\n
Calling the continued delays evidence of \u201ca cover-up\u201d, Democracy Movement president Ramon Sanchez said his group will now meet to discuss their next move.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis issue of postponing the trial and possibly not allowing independent observers to be present, nor the press, is obviously a part of a cover-up from the government of the rape, the abuse, the potential manslaughter and other serious issues that have taken place,\u201d he said. \u201cThis makes them an accomplice to the abuse.\u201d<\/p>\n
His statements came as Wayne Munroe, the lawyer representing officers accused of beating several Cuban nationals held at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre, revealed that several weeks after the hearings were announced, nothing has happened.<\/p>\n
When he learned the news, Mr Sanchez said he was disappointed, but not surprised, given his experience with the way the Bahamas government operates.<\/p>\n
Mr Sanchez said before the announcement of the hearings at the end of September, his group had been planning to take their issues with the Bahamas government to international forums, but had placed those plans on hold \u201cto give the government a chance to do what is needed since it looked like they were going to conduct proper proceedings.\u201d<\/p>\n
Now, he said, he will have to meet with the members of his group and determine what their next step will be.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt looks very, very bad for the Bahamian government. We\u2019ve seen this is a government that works in slow motion for almost everything. This is obviously a cover up \u2013 we will not be quiet,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n