Supporters of Cuba's communist government harassed Cuban dissidents as they tried to mark the anniversary of a 2003 crackdown that sent 75 government opponents to prison for long sentences.
Leaders of the dissident group Ladies in White asked the Catholic Church to intervene with the Cuban government to end what they described as violent acts against them and other human rights activists.
Laura Pollán, one of the founders of the dissident group Ladies in White, has died in a Havana hospital at the age of 63, fellow dissidents.
Cuba released 70 members of the dissident Ladies in White group detained during the weekend but warned them not to attend activities related to next week's visit of Pope Benedict, the group's leader said.