On the eve of the U.S.-led war against Iraq, the Cuban government
rounded up writers, independent journalists, and human rights activists in a massive crackdown aimed at silencing the opposition. In light of this crackdown and its continuing effects, International PEN has grown increasingly concerned about the state of freedom of expression in Cuba.
We are urging PEN members and friends to assist in focusing attention
on the plight of writers in Cuba and to seek progress for freedom of
expression by:
voicing serious concern regarding the fairness of the
trials which took place on April 3rd and 4th, 2003, of the 35
journalists, writers, and librarians arrested in March the same year;
appealing for the release of all 32 Cuban prisoners, especially those who are suffering illness (three prisoners have recently been released for this reason);
campaigning on behalf of the two "forgotten" cases in Cuba -
Léxter Téllez Castro and Carlos Brizuela Yera; and
campaigning on wider freedom of expression issues, paying special attention to such restrictive and far-reaching Cuban laws as
Article 91 of the Penal Code.
Materials with this Special Action are (CLICK on each to view):
If you can send just one letter, that will join the many other appeals and serve as a source of pressure on the Cuban government.
Please contact ftw@pen.org if you have any questions.
