PRESS RELEASE
(For Immediate Publication)
The Friends of Cuban Libraries
Date: September 7, 2001
POLICE BAN LIBRARIANS' MEETING
In a September 6 news bulletin filed by the Associated Press
correspondent in Havana, it was reported that the State Security police had
banned the first nationwide conference organized by Cuba's growing
independent library movement.
Before the meeting scheduled for September 7 could take place, the
State Security police summoned various librarians to police stations around
the country and informed them that "under no circumstances" would the first
national independent librarians' conference be permitted to take place. In
addition, permission was denied for several librarians in rural areas to
travel to Havana. Under Cuban law, which is similar to legislation existing
under former governments in the Soviet Union and South Africa, it is illegal
for people in the countryside to spend more than a few hours in the national
capital without first obtaining a special pass. Among the librarians
summoned to police interviews and banned from travelling was Ramon Colas, the
distinguished co-founder of the independent library movement, who was
recently interviewed by researchers for the International Federation of
Library Associations (IFLA) and the American Library Association. In recent
years the Cuban government has been subjected to increasing pressure as a
result of growing worldwide publicity regarding the repression of the
independent librarians, who have now opened approximately one hundred
libraries dedicated to offering uncensored reading materials to their fellow
citizens.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Courteous comments on the banning of the librarians'
meeting may be sent to President Fidel Castro (e-mail address:
[log in to unmask]), with copies to Ms. Marta Terry, a leader of Cuba's
official library association (e-mail address: [log in to unmask]). Please send
copies of any responses to the Friends of Cuban Libraries.
BACKGROUND: The Friends of Cuban Libraries, founded in June, 1999, is
an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit support group for Cuba's independent
librarians. We oppose censorship and all other violations of intellectual
freedom, as defined by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, regardless
of whatever government may be in office in Cuba. We are funded entirely by
our members and do not seek or accept funding from other sources. For more
information, send e-mail to: ([log in to unmask]) or telephone (USA)
718-340-8494. Mailing address: 4-74 48th Avenue, #3-C, Long Island City, NY
11109 USA.
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