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PEN International joins over 60 organisations condemning the charges brought against Cuban musicians Maykel “El Osorbo” Castillo Pérez and Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara

“A review of the charges against both artists makes it clear that they are being targeted for their peaceful exercise of their right to free expression.”

Cuba: PEN condemns six-year prison sentence for musician Abel Lescay for his participation in peaceful mass protests last July

“Abel Lescay is a brave and talented musician who should never have been in jail in the first place (…) His sentencing is a very worrisome development in the Cuban government’s relentless crackdown on artistic expression…”

Proposed penal code amendment could have ‘catastrophic effect’ on independent journalism in Cuba

A proposed amendment to the penal code is risking criminalizing funding for independent journalists and media organizations.

CPJ welcomes El Salvador’s acceptance of 2 journalists expelled from Cuba

Salvadoran authorities should continue providing support to Cuban journalists Esteban Rodríguez and Héctor Luis Valdés, and Cuban authorities should cease forcing journalists into exile.

Unidentified attackers beat Cuban journalist Mabel Páez at her home

“We are extremely concerned by the brutal assault on journalist Mabel Páez, and the suspicious circumstances surrounding it,” said CPJ. “It is imperative that Cuban authorities thoroughly and transparently investigate this violent attack and bring those responsible to justice.”

Cuba: Writers and artists remain threatened and imprisoned two months after protests

In the two months since historic mass demonstrations swept through Cuba on July 11, drawing national and international attention to the island’s deteriorating sociopolitical conditions, there have been at least 39 documented arrests of artists related to the protests, four of whom were subjected to trial without a jury.

Women use their phones in a street in Havana, Cuba, 14 July 2021, YAMIL LAGE/AFP via Getty Images

Cuba passes regulations criminalizing online content, further restricting internet access

The Committee to Protect Journalists condemned the enactment of new telecommunications regulations in Cuba that will further censor information on the island, and called for their immediate repeal.

International organisations reiterate concern over the Cuban government’s repressive response one month after the July 11 protests

One month after the massive protests in Cuba on July 11, we as human rights organizations reiterate our concern over the government’s repressive response. This response has resulted in serious human rights violations against protestors and further polarization among different segments of the population. It has also made dialogue and openness to listening to and addressing social demands impossible once again.

Riot police patrol the streets after a demonstration against the government of President Miguel Diaz-Canel, in Arroyo Naranjo Municipality, Havana, Cuba, 12 July 2021, YAMIL LAGE/AFP via Getty Images

Journalists detained and harassed, internet disrupted amid Cuban protests

Cuban authorities should immediately and unconditionally release all detained journalists, stop disrupting internet access in the country, and allow the press to cover protests freely.

Independent media and organisations call on the Cuban government to respect the right to demonstrate and freedom of expression and to halt violence against demonstrators

The undersigned organisations condemn the Cuban government’s repression of the citizen protests registered since 11 July 2021 and which continue to date.

A Cuban blogger checks her channel on a cellphone at Havana's Malecon, Cuba, 27 February 2018, YAMIL LAGE/AFP via Getty Images

Staff of Cuban press freedom group ICLEP lose internet service, fear targeted disruption

“It can be no accident that nearly 50 independent Cuban journalists lost internet service on the same day,” said CPJ. “Cuban authorities must ensure that [ICLEP] employees have full access to the internet and can carry out their work without interference.”

Performance artist Tania Bruguera (C) reads discussion points outside the Ministry of Culture after a meeting with the Vice Minister of Culture, Havana, Cuba, 28 November 2020, YAMIL LAGE/AFP via Getty Images

PEN America condemns arrest of Cuban artists, mass detention of protesters

Mass arrests come as Cuba has heightened its crackdown on dissident artists.

Cubans use their cell phones to connect to the Internet during a gathering outside the Ministry of Culture, Havana, Cuba, 27 November 2020, YAMIL LAGE/AFP via Getty Images

Cuban internet access cut amid free expression protest; journalist harassed

Cuban authorities should stop disrupting internet access in the country and allow journalists to cover protests freely.

Cuban journalist Carlos Manuel Álvarez harassed, assaulted by security agents

Álvarez is a member of the local freedom of expression group the San Isidro Movement, and has recently reported on the government’s crackdown on protests organized by the movement.

Cuban authorities harass journalists, block social media amid protests

Cuban authorities should stop harassing journalists and allow all citizens to access the internet without restriction.