Photo Caption: Commissioner Natacha Seijas (third from right) with members of Damas de Blanco group.

"These women are taking on the injustices of the Cuban government in an open and brave way," said Commissioner Seijas. "I was honored to meet them and to praise them for the work they are doing to bring attention to the plight of Cuban citizens jailed for no more reason than speaking their minds and fighting for Cuba's freedom." 

Founded in 2003, the Ladies in White protest by wearing white to Sunday mass and then walking silently through Cuba's streets.  Despite their approach of peaceful protest, the women have repeatedly been threatened and attacked by pro-government groups.  Their weekly marches along Havana's Fifth Avenue - flowers in hand and calling for the release of their loved ones - have brought international awareness to the plight of Cubans and 75 political dissidents imprisoned on the island since March 2003.  The group was awarded the 2005 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought by the European Parliament in recognition for their courage and commitment to the cause of human rights in Cuba.

Ladies in White is made up largely of the wives, mothers and daughters of those imprisoned.