In Cuba journalists jailed for reporting

Posted on Sat, May. 06, 2006

VERBATIM
In Cuba, journalists jailed for reporting

INTER AMERICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION

These are excerpts from a message released by the Inter American Press
Association on Wednesday, World Press Freedom Day.

Today, the Inter American Press Association is focusing attention on the
deplorable plight of 25 independent Cuban journalists imprisoned for
committing crimes of conscience. We call upon the government of
President Fidel Castro to release all 25 and immediately provide medical
treatment to the 18 who are suffering serious health problems.

The condition of the journalists has deteriorated since they were jailed
in March 2003 as part of an official crackdown on a group of 75
dissidents. The decline is due to physical mistreatment and punishment,
poor food, lack of medical attention, restrictions on family visits,
overcrowded cells and confinement among a dangerous criminal population.

The journalists, who are serving terms ranging from one to 27 years,
are: Ricardo González Alfonso, Víctor Rolando Arroyo, Normando Hernández
González, Julio César Gálvez, Adolfo Fernández Sainz, Omar Rodríguez
Saludes, Héctor Maseda Gutiérrez, Mijaíl Barzaga Lugo, Pedro Argüelles
Morán, Pablo Pacheco Avila, Alejandro González Raga, Alfredo Pulido
López, Fabio Prieto Llorente, Iván Hernández Carrillo, José Luis García
Paneque, Juan Carlos Herrera, Miguel Galván Gutiérrez, José Ubaldo
Izquierdo, Omar Ruiz Hernández, José Gabriel Ramón Castillo, Léster Luis
González Pentón, Alfredo Felipe Fuentes, José Manuel Caraballo Bravo,
Albert Santiago Du Bouchet and Oscar Mario González.

The majority are in extremely poor health and suffer a range of
illnesses from psychiatric problems to intestinal blockages, asthma,
tuberculosis, high blood pressure, arthritis, pulmonary emphysema and
cataracts.

The IAPA reaffirms its repudiation and denunciation of the state of
freedom of expression in Cuba. In addition to those who are
incarcerated, there are about 50 independent journalists who are
subjected to obstacles as they seek to exercise their profession. They
are victims of constant campaigns to discredit their names, public
attempts at censorship, brief arrests, government-organized
demonstrations outside their homes and constant threats that they will
be sent to jail if they continue reporting.

Beaten in jail

Another example is the plight of formerly jailed journalists Jorge
Olivera Castillo, Oscar Espinosa Chepe, Carmelo Díaz Fernández and Edel
García, who have been granted visas to emigrate to the United States
with their families, but have yet to receive authorization from the
Cuban government to leave the country.

Added to the list recently is the case of journalist Lamasiel Gutiérrez
Romero, 37. She was initially placed under seven months' house arrest,
but was later sent to prison. Released in March, she complained that she
was physically beaten in jail.

The IAPA would like to call upon all the government leaders in the
Americas and around the world to intercede with the government of Cuba
to release all of the independent journalists and those who are serving
sentences for the crime of expressing their views.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/opinion/14514182.htm