CUBA
WHEREAS
there has been no freedom of expression in Cuba for 44 years
WHEREAS
the Cuban government is holding 32 independent journalists in poor conditions,
with terrible food and insufficient medical care, subjected to physical and
psychological mistreatment
WHEREAS
Raúl Rivero, a member of the IAPA Board of Directors and regional vice
chairman of the Committee on Freedom of the Press and Information, is among
those serving long sentences
WHEREAS
UNESCO awarded the World Press Freedom Prize to Raúl Rivero, a member
of the IAPA Board of Directors and regional vice chairman of the Committee
on Freedom of the Press and Information
WHEREAS
a dozen of the imprisoned journalists, most of them elderly, are seriously
ill, and six of them are hospitalized with life-threatening conditions
WHEREAS
journalists Carlos Alberto Domínguez, Léster Téllez Castro
and Carlos Brizuela have been in custody for more than two years without going
to trial in an obvious violation of their rights
WHEREAS
the authorities are continuing a relentless policy of harassment, searches
of homes, temporary detentions, fines and even violent attacks in the street
against about 30 independent journalists who remain active in the country,
defying the police repression
WHEREAS
the government, through a new resolution by the Computer and Communications
Ministry (MIC), has put up a new barrier restricting Cubans’ already
limited access to the Internet, preventing access to the Web through the state
telephone system, which is the only one available on the island
WHEREAS
Principle 2 of the Declaration of Chapultepec says, “Every person has
the right to seek and receive information, express opinions and disseminate
them freely. No one may restrict or deny these rights”
WHEREAS
Principle 4 of the Declaration of Chapultepec says, “Freedom of expression
and of the press are severely limited by murder, terrorism, kidnapping, pressure,
intimidation, the unjust imprisonment of journalists, the destruction of facilities,
violence of any kind and impunity for perpetrators. Such acts must be investigated
promptly and punished harshly”
THE MIDYEAR MEETING OF
THE IAPA RESOLVES
to demand the immediate release of the imprisoned journalists and the end
of harassment of independent professionals who try to disseminate their ideas,
opinions and news inside and outside the country
to congratulate itself on the awarding of the 2004 World Press Freedom Prize
by UNESCO to Raúl Rivero, and recommend that on Press Freedom Day,
May 3, 2004, all members pay tribute to Rivero, our colleague in Cuban prison,
and once again demand his release
to request the intervention
of democratic governments, humanitarian, professional and religious institutions
and the international community to demand expedited release and adequate medical
treatment for the sick and elderly journalists whose lives are at risk under
conditions in the prisons
to demand the suspension
of government bans that increase state control on use of the Internet and
bar Cuban citizens from options for free access to information provided by
the new communications technologies.
questions
or comments?