Madrid Spain.- The Cuban Independent Media The touch andissued this August 31 an editorial condemning the repression of the regime that has led to the resignation of nine of its journalists.
“We live days of great sadness and indignation. It generates a great emotional conflict for us when team members are forced to stop working, for no other reason than that of an authoritarianism that is not accountable. Colleagues who have contributed their talent and dedication to making The touch a medium that serves, to the full extent of the word, Cuban citizens today are forced to abandon the exercise of independent journalism,” the statement states.
Regarding these journalists, the media highlighted that, despite direct and indirect pressure from Cuban State Security, “they have refused to testify against their colleagues and have clearly pointed to the repressor.”
The touch He also pointed out that in recent months “blackmail and threats against the group have escalated.”
As well as denouncing that in addition to forcing these reporters to resign publicly, their means of work were confiscated and the sanction of prohibition to leave the country was extended to anyone who is part of the team.
“The strategy of silencing dissent through this State Security proceeding is consistent with the definition of psychological torture described in the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment of the United Nations Organization, of which Cuba is a signatory. Cuban society has been suffering an escalation of repression for months and our journalism reflects it,” reads the editorial.
In recent months several journalists from other independent publications have also been harassed by the Cuban regime; including Luz Escobar, of 14ymedioIsmario Rodriguez, of neighborhood journalism and Nelson Julio Álvarez Mairata, of CubaNet; who presented his resignation to this medium at the beginning of the current month.
Recently, the Cuban Institute for Freedom of Expression and the Press denounced that July was the worst month so far in 2022 for press freedom in Cuba. In its report, the ICLEP recorded 140 violations of press freedom in Cuba during the seventh month of the year. The NGO recorded 96 cases of arbitrary arrests, 22 restrictions in the digital space and the same number of threats and psychological attacks.
Receive information from CubaNet on your cell phone through WhatsApp. Send us a message with the word “CUBA” on the phone +1 (786) 316-2072, You can also subscribe to our electronic newsletter by giving click here.
