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Reporters Without
Borders presents a public conference with
Alina Fernandez, daughter of Castro
Canada
Newswire, Friday,
April 2nd, 2004.
MONTREAL, March 25 /CNW Telbec/ - While
Cuba is one of the most popular tourist
destinations for Quebecers and Canadians,
Reporters Without Borders Canada wants to
remind people that Cuba is also the world's
biggest prison for journalists. At this
date, 30 journalists are behind bars in
Cuba, simply for doing their job: writing.
To commemorate the March 18, 2003 crackdown
against Cuban dissidents that saw 27 journalists
arrested, the freedom of the press organization
has invited several people to discuss and
debate the situation of press freedom in
Cuba. Guests include Alina Fernandez (Castro),
Fidel Castro's daughter; Tanya Churchmuch,
President of Reporters Without Borders Canada;
Alberto Rabilotta, former correspondent
for the press agency "Prensa Latina";
Gilles Paquin, journalist at La Presse;
Benoit Aubin, journalist at l'Actualite
and Maclean's and Victor Mozo, a Cuban dissident
exiled in Quebec.
A 26-minute documentary "One party,
one newspaper : Cuban press from the republique
to Castro" on the history of liberty
of the press in Cuba from 1952 to the 1990s
will be presented before the debate. This
event will take place Friday, April 2nd
at 6:00 p.m. in the amphitheatre of the
Henri-Julien pavillion, located at 4750
Henri-Julien (Mount Royal metro.) The event
is free and open to the public, but donations
would be appreciated.
March 18, 2003: Cuba becomes the world's
biggest prison for journalists.
During the March, 2003 crackdown, 27 independent
journalists were arrested, adding to the
three journalists who were already in prison.
The journalists were charged with "acts
against the independence and economy of
Cuba" (law 88) or with "acts against
the independence and territorial integrity
of the state" (article 91 of the Cuban
penal code) and were condemned to sentences
of 14 to 27 years after summary trials that
often lasted only half-a-day. In general,
these journalists are accused of collaborating
with the United States by publishing articles
that present a different vision of Cuba
than is presented in the official press.
Their articles generally discussed opposition
within Cuba (which is not recognized by
the official press), human rights violations
and the daily life of Cubans.
For further information: Emily Jacquard,
(514) 521-4111 or email: rsfcanada@rsf.org
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