The Friends of Cuban Libraries.
International PEN, the worldwide organization of authors, has notified its "Rapid
Action Network" of wonderful news: Julia Cecilia Delgado, the Cuban
librarian sentenced to a one-year jail sentence in December, 2000, for the crime
of "disrespect," has been released from prison. Her case is one among
many involving the Cuban volunteers who have formed independent libraries to
oppose the fierce censorship imposed on the island nation by the Cuban
government.
There can be little doubt that the worldwide publicity generated by
organizations such as Amnesty International and International PEN contributed to
the pressure which resulted in this wonderful outcome. The Friends of Cuban
Libraries would like to express a heartfelt "THANK YOU" to everyone
who has written to Cuban officials about her case over the past year. The text
of International PEN's message is printed below:
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: dixe@wipcpen.org | 
