Dr. Marcelo Cano Rodriguez, Coordinator of Cuban Independent Medical Association is a prisoner of conscience in Cuba.

A medical doctor, Dr. Cano Rodriguez served as the National Coordinator of the unofficial Cuban Independent Medical Association, an association of medical professionals around the island and a member of the unofficial Cuban Commission for Human Rights and National Reconciliation (CCDHRN).

Marcelo Cano was summarily tried on April 6, 2003,and convicted under article 91 of the Penal Code and articles 4.1, 4.2a-b, 6.1, 6.2a-b, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 8.1, 8.2, 9.1, 9.2, 10 and 11 of Law 88 to 18 years in prison. The activities, which the prosecution cited against this human rights defender, included visiting prisoners and their families as part of his work with the CCDHRN, and maintaining ties to the international organization, Doctors without Borders.

Dr. Marcelo Cano has been severely harassed by penal authorities since his incarceration. This physician has not seen the light of the sun since 2004 and his 6-year-old daughter is traumatized after two and a half years of prison visits. Due to the lack of hygiene, he suffers from parasites and fungus on his feet.

Family: (aunt) Catalina Cano Vergara.
Address: Calle 72 #907. Altos, entre 9na y 11na, Playa, Ciudad de La Habana, Cuba
Birthdate: January 20, 1965
Sentence: 18 years
Prison: Prison of Ariza in Cienfuegos (423 km. east of Havana)
Accusation: Violation of Law No. 88 and Article 91