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Independent Journalist Perseveres Despite Racism, Repression
By Cuban Democratic Directorate

 

“Black trash, mercenary, traitor!” were some of the insults shouted at independent journalist Oscar Sánchez Madan on the morning of April 8th in public after having criticized the early April visit of Spanish foreign minister, Miguel Ángel Moratinos, to Cuba. In addition to the verbal attacks, Sánchez Madan was physically assaulted by a member of the Communist party with the last name Beltrán, who threatened him with imprisonment if he continued to express himself against the government and Moratinos.

 

“My work as a journalist will continue. They will not stop me or silence me” said Sánchez Madán to the Cuban Democratic Directorate via telephone. “I sent a message to Raul Castro that I will not stop amid the blackmail and the threats of having Law 88 applied against me. I am not afraid of imprisonment. I am not afraid of anyone and will continue in my struggle.” This conversation took place five days before the prestigious independent journalist was detained, beaten and taken to the solitary confinement cells of the State Security offices in Matanzas on April 13th.

 

Sánchez Madan was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment in a summary trial just three days after his detention on the charge of “pre-criminal dangerousness,” and sent to Combinado del Sur Prison, according to Elizardo Sánchez, spokesman for the Cuban Commission for Human Rights and National Reconciliation.

 

 

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Directorio Democrático Cubano Cuban Democratic Directorate

 

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