Cuba

WHEREAS in Cuba press freedom ended 40 years ago WHEREAS the totalitarian government of Cuba is increasing the persecution and harassment of the independent press and foreign correspondents, in their work WHEREAS the independent press of Cuba endures with bravery, courage and a defiant attitude the new drive by the government to silence its voice WHEREAS the independent press is leading a civic protest movement at a time when more than 10,000 citizens so far have put their names and identification numbers on a petition to the National Assembly of Popular Power, as provided for in the Cuban Constitution, which would require a referendum on political and social change THE MIDYEAR MEETING OF THE IAPA RESOLVES to reiterate its solidarity and support for independent journalists in their heroic work as providers of information and defenders of freedom of expression to condemn once again Castro's totalitarian regime for its flagrant violation of press freedom and its total lack of respect for human rights.