Cuba's Catholic Church has said that the Cuban government will free 52 political prisoners in a major concession to international pressure to improve its human rights. The church said in a statement on Wednesday that five of the prisoners would be released later during the day and allowed to go to Spain, while the remaining 47 would be freed over the next few months. The release will bring down the number of dissidents behind bars on the communist-led island to close to 100 and possibly have positive ramifications for Cuba's relations with countries that have long pressed the government to free political prisoners. Human rights advocates said earlier this week that Cuba had 167 political prisoners, including 10 who were out on parole. The announced release would be the largest since 1998, when 101 political prisoners were among about 300 prisoners freed following a visit by Pope John Paul II.

Pray: that the Cuban Government will honour their promises to release all these prisoners. (2Ch.28:11)

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