The Friends of Cuban Libraries, February 2, 2001.
The youth association of Sweden's Liberal Party has begun a campaign to send
banned books to Cuba's embattled independent librarians. As reported by the
Stockholm newspaper "Metro" (Dec. 30, 2000), on December 28 members of
the youth association began their campaign by asking for donations from
passersby in Stockholm's main shopping district.
In a press release launching their effort to "collect money and books
for the free libraries of Cuba," the Young Liberals highlighted the
opening of more than 60 independent libraries in the island nation with the goal
of offering public access to uncensored books. "The objective,"
states the press release, "is to support work in favor of freedom of
expression and information." Three reports issued by Amnesty
International, the world's most respected human rights organization, have
confirmed the repression of the independent librarians by the Cuban government ,
and the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) has also
documented and condemned the government's "campaign of threats,
intimidation, harassment, eviction, short-term arrests, and the confiscation of
incoming book donations or book
collections." In recent weeks, the repression of the independent
librarians has escalated to acts of violence.
According to the Young Liberals' press release, their goal in sending banned
books to Cuba is to "support work in favor of freedom of expression and
information." One of the youth leaders, Fredrik Malm, declared: "In
Sweden being a librarian is not dangerous to anyone. Nevertheless, in
dictatorships all the forces which strengthen freedom of expression and freedom
of thought represent a dangerous threat. For this reason, it is important for
the world to show support for the Cubans who are struggling for democratic
change." When asked how the banned books acquired as a result of the
campaign could be delivered to Cuba's independent libraries, one of the Liberal
activists, Erik Jennische, replied: "We are thinking of sending the donated
books with colleagues and European tourists. It is especially important for
tourists to experience two of the beauties of Cuba, the sun and at the same time
the democratic movement."
BACKGROUND: The Friends of Cuban Libraries, founded in June, 1999, is an
independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit support group for the independent
librarians. We oppose censorship and all other violations of intellectual
freedom, as defined by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, regardless of
whatever government may be in office in Cuba. We are funded entirely by our
members and do not seek or accept funds from other sources.
For more information, send e-mail to:
rkent20551@cs.com
or
telephone (USA) 718-340-8494.
Mailing address:
Robert Kent, 4-74 48th Avenue, #3-C, Long
Island City, NY 11109 USA.
Proyecto de Bibliotecas Independientes en Cuba
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