Cuba, September 28, 1999

IFLA/FAIFE reaction to violations
of intellectual freedom in Cuba

Open letter to the President of Cuba from the Chair of the IFLA / FAIFE Committee concerning the pattern of State supported and instigated harassment of the independent libraries in Cuba.

IFLA/FAIFE Report on Cuba / September 1999: Independent Libraries in Cuba (Español)

Mr. Fidel Castro Ruz, President of Cuba
c/o United Nations Mission
New York, NY 10016,
United States
Fax: +1 212 779 1697

Mr. President

On behalf of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) and as the Chair of its Committee on Free Access to Information and Freedom of Expression (IFLA/FAIFE), I am deeply concerned by the enclosed report on the current events in Cuba which clearly violate the basic human right of intellectual freedom.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 19, states that "Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers".

As you are aware Cuban citizens have formed 18 libraries, named "Bibliotecas Independientes", throughout Cuba to "grant access to books, magazines, documents and other publications to which there is no access in state institutions" and thus challenge your Government to demonstrate its support for intellectual freedom. My colleagues and I encourage you and your Government to respect the intellectual freedom, as set forth by the United Nations and to respect these rights as exercised by the independent libraries of Cuba.

Sadly, a series of incidents indicates a pattern of State supported and instigated harassment of these independent libraries in Cuba, including threats, intimidation, eviction, short-term arrests, and the confiscation of their incoming book donations or existing book collections.

We seriously urge you to stop this harassment and meet the challenge of the independent libraries by upholding the intellectual freedom of all. This would complement the considerable achievements of your country in regard to education, libraries and literacy achieved since 1959.

We also urge the Cuban government, the Cuban libraries and librarians to adhere to the principles of freedom of access to information and freedom of expression as defined in the IFLA Statement on Libraries and Intellectual Freedom.

We encourage you and the Government of Cuba to chose the path of democracy and to remove all laws that hinder or violate the rights of people to access information and express opinions.

Yours sincerely,

Alex Byrne
Chair of IFLA / FAIFE Committee

Pro Vice-chancellor (Information Resources)
Northern Territory University
Darwin, Australia