Political prisoners in Cuba fall

Cuba’s main human rights group is reporting that the number of political prisoners has dropped in the past six months.



This prison population reduction follows the installation of Raul Castro as the leader of the communist island.



An estimated 219 political prisoners are now being held in Cuban jails or 15 fewer than the figure in January this year.



But according to the Cuban Commission for Human Rights and National Reconciliation this does not represent a fundamental change in the treatment of nonconformists under Raul Castro.



Instead, the latest half yearly report by the organisation points to a change in tactics, with a marked increase in what it calls arbitrary systematic detentions.



It says instead of high profile arrests and imprisonment, the police, often picks up opponents before planned meetings or rallies.



The detainees are then released without charge, usually within 24 hours.