(CPJ/IFEX) – Raúl Rivero, founder and director of the independent news agency CubaPress, has informed CPJ that Cuban authorities denied him a permit to travel to Columbia University to receive a special citation from the Graduate School of Journalism for “independent reporting in the face of harassment, arrests, and threats from the government.” He was […]
(CPJ/IFEX) – Raúl Rivero, founder and director of the independent news
agency CubaPress, has informed CPJ that Cuban authorities denied him a
permit to travel to Columbia University to receive a special citation from
the Graduate School of Journalism for “independent reporting in the face of
harassment, arrests, and threats from the government.”
He was scheduled to receive the citation at a 29 September 1999 ceremony
honoring winners of the Maria Moors Cabot Prize for excellence in reporting
about Latin America. Rivero applied for an exit and re-entry permit from the
Interior Ministry after he received the invitation from Columbia in June. In
early August, the university filed a formal invitation with the Cuba
Interests Section in Washington, DC. On 23 September, the fourth anniversary
of CubaPress’ founding, Major Lázaro of the Interior Ministry (who, like
many Cuban security officials, only gives out his rank and first name)
informed Rivero that his application had been denied.
One of Cuba’s most prominent independent journalists, Rivero has faced
harassment since he left the state-controlled press in 1988. His movements
have been restricted; he has been threatened, interrogated, and detained
(see IFEX alerts of 12 March, 11 March and 2 March 1999 and others).
Officials have repeatedly told Rivero that he can leave Cuba as long as he
does not try to come back. Because he has always been determined to pursue
his profession in Cuba, his exit and re-entry permit applications have
consistently been denied. “But I’m not going to fall in the trap of
pessimism,” Rivero says, who intends to continue claiming his right to
travel.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the president:
Declaration of Human Rights, which states, “Everyone has the right to leave
any country, including his own, and to return to his country”
Appeals To
His Excellency Fidel Castro Ruz
President of Cuba
c/o Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations
315 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10016
Fax: +212 779 1697
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
