Cuban authorities are holding ten women from Cataluña for supporting a demonstration in favour of human rights yesterday morning, and it is expected that they will be deported within the next few hours.

Among the women taking part in a demonstration organised by the Damas de Blanco, a dissident movement that campaigns for the rights of Cuban political prisoners, was Francina Vila, who represents the CiU on Barcelona town council.

Around two dozen other women from Sweden, Peru and Bosnia also took part in the demonstration that was organised to coincide with International Human Rights Day.

When the women returned to their hotel after the protest, their passports and travel documents were confiscated and they are being held in police custody until their transfer to the airport.

All the women arrived in Cuba on tourist visas last Thursday.

A spokesman from Barcelona Town Hall has said that the council is not prepared to comment on the situation for the time being.