Campaign for Freedom of Expression in Cuba

Currently, I'm reading Mea Cuba by Guillermo Cabrena Infante, a collection of essays about Fidel Castro's oppression of Cuban writers and poets. It's a challenging but worthwhile read.

Amnesty International is running a campaign for Freedom of Expression in Cuba, and has recently published the report Restrictions On Freedom of Expression in Cuba.

The Cuban state has a virtual monopoly on media, according to the Amnesty International report, and requires all journalists to join the Communist Party-controlled national journalists’ association.

Many journalists are intimidated by the Cuban authorities. One example is Yosvani Anzardo Hernández, director of the Candonga online newspaper, who was arbitrarily detained for 14 days in September 2009, before being released without charge.

During this time, police confiscated his computer and disconnected his telephone line. The Candonga online newspaper is now closed.

Filters restrict access to blogs that openly criticize the government and restrictions on fundamental freedoms, so you might not be reading this blog post if you are in Cuba.

The Cuban Constitution also curbs freedom of expression, stating: “[n]one of the freedoms which are recognized for citizens can be exercised contrary to what is established in the Constitution and law, or contrary to the existence and objectives of the socialist state, or contrary to the decision of the Cuban people to build socialism and communism.”

Cuba's penal code specifies a range of vague criminal charges that can also be used to oppress dissenting voices, such as "social dangerousness", "defamation of national institutions" and "clandestine printing".

The judiciary is neither independent, nor impartial, and government critics often receive summary and unfair trials.

Amnesty International are aware of at least fifty-three prisoners of conscience who remain in prison for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression, association and assembly.

For example ,independent journalist Pablo Pacheco Avila was sentenced to 20 years in prison for writing articles for foreign and online newspapers, being interviewed by foreign radio stations, and publishing information online.

Kerrie Howard, Deputy Americas Director at Amnesty International, says: "The laws are so vague that almost any act of dissent can be deemed criminal in some way, making it very difficult for activists to speak out against the government.

"There is an urgent need for reform to make all human rights a reality for all Cubans."

Two independent blogs from Cuba that provide more information about the human rights situation there are Voices Behind Bars and Generation Y.

The latest news from Cuba can also be read at Amnesty International's Cuba page.

You can support human rights in Cuba by donating to or joining Amnesty International, as well as keeping an eye on the website for Cuba campaigns.