Cuba overview

Long-term imprisonment of writers, independent journalists and librarians

Freedom of expression and association are severely restricted in Cuba. All print and broadcast media are state controlled.

Some independent journalists manage to write articles for foreign websites or underground newsletters, but laws banning anti-government propaganda, the spreading of "unauthorised news" and insulting officials make this a risky undertaking. Independent journalists and librarians routinely suffer harassment and intimidation at the hands of the authorities and are frequently arrested.

As of early 2009, there were at least 25 writers, independent journalists and librarians in prison in Cuba, 22 of whom have been held since a government crackdown on dissidents in 2003. All are serving lengthy prison sentences - up to 27 years in some cases - on anti-state or ‘social dangerousness' charges.

They were tried under Law 88 on the "protection of Cuba's national and economic independence" and/ or Article 91 of the Cuban Penal Code covering acts against "the independence of the territorial integrity of the state", the maximum penalty for which is death. The trials were summary with insufficient time for the accused to prepare their defence and with no access to independent lawyers.

Most imprisoned writers are suffering from health complaints caused or exacerbated by harsh conditions and treatment in prison. Access to adequate medical treatment is often limited.

For further information on the prisoners and the background to their arrest click here.

CUBA 2008

Hopes of an improvement in the situation for writers have been raised by some positive developments since Raúl Castro took over power in 2006.

For example, in February 2008, the journalists Alejandro González Raga and José Gabriel Ramón Castillo and librarian Omar Pernet Hernández, all serving long sentences and in poor health, were released from prison and exiled to Spain with their families. The exact reason for their release is unknown but it followed negotiations with Spain, which resumed some cooperation programmes with Cuba the same month.

Also in February 2008, Cuba finally signed the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which explicitly guarantees the right to freedom of opinion and expression, among others .

However, there have been no further releases and few other signs that the government intends to fulfil its obligations under the ICCPR.

For more information on current and past Cuban cases, click here.

Top of page