Whilst I would certainly condemn oppression and intimidation, it would seem
to me this "infamy" is as nothing compared, for example, to what the Taliban
are doing in Afghanistan. If you really are concerned about freedom, there
are far worst cases out there that should be addressed...
Gary Meades
-----Original Message-----
From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 26 June 2001 14:26
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: More Books Confiscated
Dear Readers of Lis-Link:
Thanks are due to all who have stood up against the censorship of
information about the oppression of our colleagues in Cuba. Regarding Aran
Lewis's comments as to "lies" allegedly told by the Friends of Cuban
Libraries, IFLA's landmark report on Cuba's independent librarians confirmed
each and every report made by our organisation regarding the Cuban
government's campaign of death threats, intimidation, arrests, evictions and
confiscations. The persecution of the independent librarians has also been
confirmed by Amnesty International. As verified by the Chornicle of Higher
Education, in recent months the Cuban government has resorted to violence in
order to suppress a group of courageous people whose only crime is to oppose
censorship and to offer public access to uncensored library materials. The
size of a library collection, and whether it is privately or publicly owned,
is irrelevant. In our view, librarians without a university degree who
endure persecution for defending intellectual freedom are more
"professional"
than librarians with a degree who support censorship, fail to oppose it, or
deny that it exists.
The accuracy and crediblity of those presenting arguments on both sides
of this important issue are left to the judgement and conscience of you, the
people who read this listserv. We encourage all people of conscience to
take
up this matter with the Library Association, which until now has failed to
do
its duty. How will history judge us if we let this infamy continue without,
at the very least, making a protest against the only country in the world
where librarians are being systematically persecuted?
Sincerely,
Friends of Cuban Libraries
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