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HUMAN RIGHTS
The Right to Freedom of
Expression
Freedom of expression does not exist in Cuba. Only expressions that
coincide with official political ideology as established by Fidel Castro
are allowed. Criticism of errors, corruption or abuses on the part of
the government is punishable. The laws that prohibit freedom of
expression through political offenses list crimes such as: enemy
propaganda, disrespect to the Commander in Chief (Fidel Castro), offense
to the homeland, ideological deviation, dangerousness and distribution
of false information.
The most important instrument for freedom of expression, the press, has
been eliminated in Cuba. Shortly after Castro's rise to power, 46 years
ago, all means of mass communication were confiscated and put to the
exclusive service of the Communist Party and the government. Radio,
Television, and print media and cinema function only to spread communist
ideology. Information is published only when they favor the official
party line or when they serve to damage the image of the democratic
world. Entertainment programs must have political content or a message
that coincides with official ideology.
For example, Cubans learned that Americans had landed on the moon
several weeks after it happened and through letters received from family
abroad because the Cuban media published absolutely nothing of the
extraordinary event. In similar manner, several weeks after it happened,
the Cuban people still had not heard that the Soviets had invaded
Afghanistan.
Foreign correspondents in Cuba also fall victim to governmental
persecution, albeit to a lesser degree. Authorities send them written
complaints concerning articles not to the government's liking; they
receive telephone threats, or are excluded from press conferences and
important events. Some foreign correspondents have been physically
attacked, as in the case of Czech journalist Michael Cermak and French
journalist Mike de la Grange.
The reports prepared by the Special Reporters for Cuba assigned by the
United Nations are banned from circulating in the island. Their contents
have never been published, even partially. The circulation of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights is similarly persecuted.
Music, books and academic works produced by Cuban exiles or any
non-Cuban person who is critical of the Cuban government are also
prohibited. Cubans on the island ignore the fact that exiled Cuban
writer Guillermo Cabrera Infante received the Principe de Asturias
award, which is the highest honor in Spanish literature, equivalent to
the Nobel Prize for Literature.
Cubans are also prohibited from viewing foreign television broadcasts or
listen to short wave radio. Law Decree 157 of March 21, 1995 prohibits
antennas to capture foreign broadcasts. The Decree also states that,
"Authorities have the obligation to ensure that the information
distributed is authorized," and stipulates penalties incurred by those
who infringe the law.
In their obsessive control, authorities have installed a large number of
transmitters to interfere radio signals that enter the country.
Internet access, the possession of fax machines and computers is
severely restricted. Cubans can not place overseas calls directly, but
are required to go through an operator. In fact, the criteria to obtain
a telephone require that applicants demonstrate political merit.
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