Cuba: Further
bans on freedom of expression
Amnesty
International,
January 13, 2004.
Amnesty International today expressed concern
at the impact on freedom of expression and
information of Cuba's new law restricting
internet access.
"The new measures, which limit and
impede unofficial internet use, constitute
yet another attempt to cut off Cubans' access
to alternative views and a space for discussing
them," said Amnesty International as
a new law came into force on Saturday. "This
step, coming on top of last year's prosecution
of 75 activists for peacefully expressing
their views, gives the authorities another
mechanism for repressing dissent and punishing
critics."
The new law, which came into effect on
10 January, limits internet access to those,
such as officially recognised businesses
and government offices, with special telephone
accounts payable in US dollars. This prevents
ordinary Cuban people from accessing the
service.
"Amnesty International fears that
the new measures are intended to prevent
human rights monitoring by restricting the
flow of information out of Cuba," the
organisation said.
"The Cuban authorities must do away
with illegitimate curbs on freedom of expression
and information, and must bring their legislation
into line with international human rights
standards once and for all," Amnesty
International concluded.
Background Information
The vast majority of Cuba's media are
state-owned and -controlled. Cubans' access
to foreign media is limited. However, Cuban
government sources have reportedly indicated
that they believe up to 40,000 Cubans have
unofficial access to the internet.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
in its article 19, guarantees the right
to freedom of opinion and expression, including
the freedom to "seek, receive and impart
information and ideas through any media
and regardless of frontiers". These
rights have been further codified and protected
in standards such as the International Covenant
on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the
UN Siracusa Principles on the Limitation
and Derogation of Provisions in the ICCPR
(1985) and the Johannesburg Principles on
National Security, Freedom of Expression
and Access to Information (1996).
Amnesty International is currently campaigning
for the immediate and unconditional release
of 84 prisoners of conscience in Cuba, incarcerated
for the peaceful exercise of fundamental
freedoms.
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Amnesty International
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