Héctor Maseda Gutiérrez/CPJ Guest Blogger

Héctor Maseda Gutiérrez, 67, began working as an independent journalist in 1995 and helped found independent news agency Grupo de Trabajo Decoro before being given 20 years in prison. Maseda Gutiérrez won CPJ’s International Press Freedom Award in 2008. He was released in February 2011, and now lives in Havana.

Héctor Maseda Gutiérrez walks free with his wife (right), while followed by government supporters jeering his release. (Reuters/Desmond Boylan)

Cuban journalist survives ‘hell’ and emerges ready to fight

On March 18, 2003, our people endured one of the worst episodes in Cuba’s history. The peaceable political dissident community, human rights defenders, trade unionists, and independent journalists, along with representatives of the emergent and democratic civil society–74 men and one woman–were the victims of the most absolute, merciless, and cruel government power.

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