Dear Colleagues:
Appended below is wonderful news from the "Rapid Action Network" of
International PEN, the worldwide organization of authors, regarding the early
release from prison of Julia Cecilia Delgado, one of Cuba's independent
librarians who had been imprisoned for the crime of "disrespect." We would
like to thank all of the librarians around the world who wrote letters to
Cuban officials on her behalf.
Friends of Cuban Libraries
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RAPID ACTION NETWORK
1 November 2001
RAN 45/01
Cuba: Librarian Julia Cecilia Delgado unexpectedly released
International PEN welcomes the news of the unexpected release
on 19 October 2001 of Julia Cecilia Delgado, the director of the
independent Gertrudis Gómez de Avellaneda library.
Delgado was one of over two hundred people arrested in early December
2000 shortly before International Human Rights Day (10 December) in a
bid to stop demonstrations marking the day. Most of the detainees were
released. However, on 12 December, Delgado was sentenced to one-
year’s imprisonment for "disrespect".
The librarian was sent to Manto Negro prison where she staged a hunger-
strike in protest against prison conditions. Whilst in prison she suffered
from a variety of ailments for which she was unable to get the necessary
medication. It has been reported to PEN that since leaving prison her
health has improved greatly.
Delgado, an honorary member of American, USA West, Perth and English
PEN centres, was due to complete her sentence on 8 December. No
reason has been given by the Cuban authorities for her early release.
International PEN notes that there are three prisoners serving
sentences in Cuba for their writings - Bernardo Arevalo Padrón,
Vladimiro Roca Antúnez and José Orlando Gonzalez Bridon.
Please send appeals:
- welcoming the early release of Julia Cecilia Delgado
- calling for the immediate release of Bernardo Arevalo Padrón,
Vladimiro Roca Antúnez and José Orlando Gonzalez Bridon.
Appeals to:
His Excellency Fidel Castro Ruíz
President of Cuba
c/o Cuban Mission to the United Nations
New York, NY, USA
Fax: +1 212 779 1697
Please send copies of any responses you might receive to the WiPC office.
For further details contact Dixe Wills at the Writers in Prison Committee
London Office: 9-10 Charterhouse Buildings, London EC1M 7AT UK
Tel: + 44 (0) 20 72 53 32 26 Fax: + 44 (0) 20 72 53 57 11
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
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