(CPJ/RSF/IFEX) – The following is a joint CPJ – RSF press release: **For more information on the new Cuban law see IFEX alert of 17 February 1999; for background on individual cases covered since 1 January 1999 see IFEX alerts of 12 March, 11 March, 5 March, 2 March, 24 February, 17 February, 5 February, […]
(CPJ/RSF/IFEX) – The following is a joint CPJ – RSF press release:
**For more information on the new Cuban law see IFEX alert of 17
February
1999; for background on individual cases covered since 1 January 1999
see
IFEX alerts of 12 March, 11 March, 5 March, 2 March, 24 February, 17
February, 5 February, 3 February, 29 January, 27 January, 20 January and
8
January 1999**
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 17, 1999
CPJ, RSF Document Cuba’s Crackdown on Independent Press
Prompted by Cuba’s passage of a new law that punishes the practice of
journalism with up to 20 years in prison, the New York-based Committee
to
Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the Paris-based Reporters Sans Frontières
(RSF), have jointly compiled a briefing book chronicling a three-month
long
crackdown on the independent press in Cuba.
Since January 1, at least 28 journalists have been detained in relation
to
their work and one journalist has been condemned to four years in
prison.
Two other journalists are currently in prison on charges of
“disrespect,”
one is serving a sentence of one year of forced labor, and one is
awaiting
trial for defamation.
On February 16, Cuba’s Popular Assembly passed the “Law for the
Protection
of Cuba’s National Independence and Economy.” The new law, which went
into
effect on March 15, establishes prison terms of up to 20 years for
collaborating with media in order to “[contribute or facilitate]
anti-Cuban
actions mentioned in the Helms Burton law, the U.S. embargo, and other
actions of subversive nature.” Under its provisions, the possession of
information deemed subversive is a crime. “This new law will be the end
of
independent journalism in Cuba,” noted Cuba’s leading journalist, Raúl
Rivero.
Both CPJ and RSF are dedicated to defending press freedom around the
world.
To receive a copy of the briefing book by fax or by e-mail, please
contact
Régis
Bourgeat in Paris or Marylene Smeets in New York.
