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NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Veronica Mayer
Tuesday, January 5, 2021 (703) 566-3041

OAS Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
Grants Precautionary Measures for Cuban Journalist
Commission Identified GLA Client’s Situation as “Serious, Urgent”

(Washington, D.C.) On Monday, December 21, 2020, the Inter-American Commission on
Human Rights (IACHR) of the Organization of American States advised the Global Liberty
Alliance (GLA) that it had granted Precautionary Measures in protection of the Cuban
independent journalist Niober García Fournier. GLA applied for Precautionary Measures
for the journalist after he has suffered state surveillance, regular detentions, and even a
beating for expressing his political dissent.

The Cuban counsel for the victim stated: “For defending human rights in Cuba, García
Fournier has been persecuted and harassed by State Security, endangering his life and that
of his family. We thank the Commission for considering our application and giving us their
protection. Even though the Cuban State does not respond to their inquiries, this proves that
the Government is changing its tactics against the victim to avoid visibility. We urge that this
work be continued to benefit many more people who live in extremely dangerous situations.”

“Niober’s case is a reminder that freedom of the press and the rule of law are illusory in Cuba,
yet despite these and other challenges, Cuban lawyers and journalists are working to find
justice for patriots such as Niober,” said Jason Poblete, President, Global Liberty Alliance.

The precautionary measures mechanism is designed to ensure a rapid response by the
Commission in “serious and urgent situations where there is an imminent risk of
irreparable harm (Article 25 of the Rules of Procedure of the IACHR, 2012).

Mr. García Fournier’s situation was serious and urgent: for several years the Cuban State
has monitored him, culminating in a September 2020 beating. This intimidation by Cuban
police continued in recent months with daily surveillance and threats, as well as regular
detentions by State Security, some of which occurred in front of the victim’s family. In its
decision, the IACHR noted that “the repression of independent journalists in Cuba is a
systematic, longstanding practice” (IACHR, Informe Especial sobre la Situación de Libertad
de Expresión en Cuba, 2018). The Commission’s decision can be accessed at the end of this
post, or on the IACHR website.
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A part of The Global Rule of Law & Liberty Legal Defense Fund
globallibertyalliance.org
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