(IAPA/IFEX) – The following is a 21 August 2002 IAPA press release: IAPA concerned about mistreatment of imprisoned journalist Miami (21 August 2002) – IAPA is concerned about the severe reprisals that will likely be endured by Bernardo Arévalo Padron. Padron is a Cuban journalist who has been in jail since 1997. He is the […]
(IAPA/IFEX) – The following is a 21 August 2002 IAPA press release:
IAPA concerned about mistreatment of imprisoned journalist
Miami (21 August 2002) – IAPA is concerned about the severe reprisals that will likely be endured by Bernardo Arévalo Padron. Padron is a Cuban journalist who has been in jail since 1997. He is the director of the publishing house Línea Sur Press.
According to reports from IAPA’s Cuban regional vice-president Raúl Rivero, Padron mailed a letter from the Ariza prison stating that he fears for his life because the prison authorities have threatened to put him in seclusion and deny visitation rights to all prisoners if he continues to send information to the outside. It is likely that a threat of this nature will incite reprisals from the prison population against Padron.
Padron was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment on 18 November 1997 for being in contempt of the Cuban state when he stated on a radio program that President Fidel Castro and Vice-President Carlos Lage were liars.
Rafael Molina, the president of IAPA, stated, “IAPA will remain vigilant with respect to Padron’s case and will continue to insist that the Cuban authorities uphold Padron’s human rights by releasing him.”
Molina, the director of Ahora magazine, published in the Dominican Republic, explained that Padron has already endured threats, reprisals and beatings in prison. Molina stated, “Although we are not surprised by this most recent threat, which will come in the form of indirect harassment, we reject and condemn it.”
