Stifling Voices Of Freedom In Cuba

Stifling Voices Of Freedom In Cuba
13 November 2009

Change comes slowly in Cuba, even when it starts at the top. Despite
expectations of reforms when Raul Castro became president last year and
some signs of easing, the island nation remains a tightly controlled
central economy under a Communist regime that suppresses freedom of
speech and other civil liberties.

The Castro government has extended its authority over the Internet, as
it has done with newspapers, radio and television. It restricts access
to computers and Internet subscriptions, keeping prices high and
blocking Web sites that the government considers critical or
undesirable. Officials and government loyalists monitor Web logs, or
blogs, to watch for signs of dissent and to post comments supporting the
regime and attacking its critics.

These actions took an ugly turn this month when 3 prominent Cuban
Internet journalists were attacked by plain clothes government security
agents. On their way to cover a peaceful march in downtown Havana, Yoani
Sanchez, Orlando Luis Pardo and Claudia Cadelo were forced into unmarked
cars and driven around for 20 minutes, during which time Ms. Sanchez was
beaten. Ironically, the purpose of the march, organized by young
musicians, was to protest against violence. Ms. Sanchez's work reporting
on conditions in Cuba has been recognized around the world.

President Barack Obama proclaimed November 9 as World Freedom Day, and
it is just this kind of repression and violence against the voices of
freedom and reconciliation that his proclamation is meant to expose.

The United States strongly deplores the assault and urges the government
of Cuba to ensure the full respect of the human rights and fundamental
freedoms of all its citizens.

VOA News - Stifling Voices Of Freedom In Cuba (13 November 2009)
http://www.voanews.com/uspolicy/2009-11-13-voa1.cfm