Sebastian Arcos Bergnes facts for kids

Sebastian Arcos Bergnes (born 1931 – died December 22, 1997, in New York City) was a brave Cuban activist. He worked hard to protect human rights in his home country. Sebastian was known for speaking out against the governments of Fidel Castro and Fulgencio Batista.

A Family's Fight for Change

Sebastian Arcos came from a family that cared deeply about politics. His older brother, Gustavo Arcos, was hurt while fighting with Fidel Castro during the start of the Cuban Revolution. Another brother, Luis, sadly died in the fighting. Sebastian, who was a dentist, also disagreed with the Batista government.

After the revolution, Sebastian worked for the new government for a while. But in the 1960s, his brother Gustavo was arrested for speaking against Castro. Because of this, Sebastian decided to leave the Communist Party of Cuba.

Starting a Human Rights Group

In 1981, Sebastian Arcos helped create a group called the Committee for Human Rights in Cuba. He became the vice president, and his brother Gustavo was the president. This group was one of the very first to speak out against the government in Cuba.

Later that same year, Sebastian was arrested. He spent more than six years in Combinado del Este prison with his brother Gustavo.

Standing Up to Pressure

In 1990, the Cuban government faced criticism from the United Nations about human rights. In response, they organized angry crowds to protest against people like Sebastian. His home was attacked twice in one week. During the second attack, a large crowd surrounded his house for almost two days.

In 1992, Sebastian was arrested again by the secret police. He was accused of "enemy propaganda" and "inciting to rebellion." He was sentenced to almost five years in prison. He was sent to Ariza Prison, far from his home. There, he was held with dangerous criminals and often denied medical care.

In 1993, the government offered Sebastian a deal: he could be released right away if he agreed to leave Cuba forever. Sebastian bravely said no to this offer. He was the first political prisoner to choose to stay in prison in Cuba rather than leave his country for freedom.

Freedom and Later Years

After many people and groups around the world spoke up for him, Sebastian was released in 1995. Amnesty International called him a "prisoner of conscience." Just a few weeks after he got out, doctors found a serious illness. He had been denied medicine and treatment for it while in prison.

After a Cuban doctor who treated Sebastian was fired, Sebastian traveled to Miami for more medical care. In 1996, he spoke to the UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva, Switzerland. In 1997, he received the first Human Rights Award from the Spanish-Cuban Foundation. Sebastian passed away in Miami on December 22, 1997.

After his death, US President Bill Clinton called him "a courageous and tireless activist for human rights, democracy and freedom in Cuba." Another Cuban human rights activist, Elizardo Sanchez Santa Cruz, said Sebastian was "irreplaceable" to the movement for change.

His Family

Sebastian Arcos had two children, Sebastian and Maria Rosa. He also had another brother named Luis Arcos Bergnes.

See also

• Human Rights in Cuba