Imprisoned Cuban journalist released on medical parole
New York, November 29, 2004—At least one of the 27 journalists imprisoned in Cuba since a March 2003 crackdown on the independent press has been released from custody on a medical parole, and several others have been transferred to prison hospitals in Havana. CPJ called on Cuban authorities today to release all of the journalists…
CPJ condemns treatment of imprisoned journalists
New York, September 2, 2004—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the continued imprisonment of more than two dozen Cuban journalists, several of whom have received inadequate medical care or been harassed for protesting their conditions. The Cuban government arrested 29 journalists in March 2003 in a massive crackdown on the independent media. Accused of being…
Two imprisoned journalists granted medical parole
New York, June 24, 2004—Authorities granted medical parole to imprisoned journalists Manuel Vázquez Portal and Carmelo Díaz Fernández within the last week. The two men, who suffer from several health conditions, were among the 29 journalists imprisoned in Cuba since March 2003. Vázquez Portal, a writer with the independent news agency Grupo de Trabajo Decoro,…
Another imprisoned journalist starts hunger strike
New York, May 21, 2004—The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has learned that imprisoned Cuban journalist Normando Hernández González, who is jailed at Kilo 5 1/2 Prison in western Pinar del Río Province, has started a hunger strike to protest prison conditions. Hernández González, who is serving a 25-year sentence, is one of 29 journalists…
Imprisoned journalist on hunger strike
New York, May 7, 2004—The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is deeply concerned about the health of imprisoned Cuban journalist Manuel Vázquez Portal, who has been on a hunger strike since April 30 to protest prison conditions. Vázquez Portal, who received one of CPJ’s International Press Freedom Awards in November 2003, is one of 29…
ONE YEAR LATER, CPJ RENEWS CALLS FOR RELEASE OF CUBAN JOURNALISTS
New York, April 7, 2004—The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) renews its call for the Cuban government to release the 29 independent journalists sentenced to lengthy prison terms last April 7. The detention of political dissidents and journalists-who were accused of being “counterrevolutionaries” at the service of the United States-began on March 18, 2003, during…
PROMINENT U.S. AND LATIN AMERICAN JOURNALISTS CALL FOR RELEASE OF IMPRISONED CUBAN JOURNALIST
New York, March 16, 2004—The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) today sent more than 600 appeals—including more than 50 from some of the most renowned journalists in Latin America—to Cuban President Fidel Castro Ruz calling for the release of jailed Cuban journalist Manuel Vázquez Portal, a recipient of CPJ’s 2003 International Press Freedom Award, and…
Attacks on the Press 2003: Cuba
Unlike previous years, when Cuban authorities were mostly content to merely harass and threaten independent journalists and their families, in 2003, authorities launched an all-out assault against the opposition and the independent press. Officials jailed 29 journalists–about one-third of the island’s independent press–and sentenced them to lengthy prison terms. Those who continue to work face…
Attacks on the Press in 2003: Journalists in Prison
There were 138 journalists in prison around the world at the end of 2003 who were jailed for practicing their profession. The number is the same as last year. An analysis of the reasons behind this is contained in the introduction on page 10. At the beginning of 2004, CPJ sent letters of inquiry to…