The journalists "remain in jail under appalling condition," said the WAN Board in a resolution issued during the World Newspaper Congress and World Editors Forum, the global meetings of the world’s press. "They are subjected to isolation, prohibition of visits and severe punishment when they choose to fast or disobey prison rules to protest their mistreatment. Many of the journalists are ill, but deprived of adequate medical care."

The resolution said:

"The Board of the World Association of Newspapers, meeting at the 58th World Newspaper Congress in Seoul, Korea, from 29 May to 1 June 2005, strongly condemns the continued imprisonment of 23 Cuban journalists and asks for their immediate and unconditional release.

"Over two years after the arrest and summary trials of 29 journalists, the majority of them remain in jail under appalling conditions. They are subjected to isolation, prohibition of visits and severe punishment when they choose to fast or disobey prison rules to protest their mistreatment. Many of the journalists are ill, but deprived of adequate medical care.

"The journalists were arrested during a wave of repression in March 2003. They were sentenced to between 14 and 27 years in maximum security prisons far from their homes and families. The trials were held behind closed doors.

"The charges against the journalist ranged from “disrespect” of the Revolution to serving the "imperialist interests" of the United States and having contacts with the US Interests Section (diplomatic representation) in Havana. They were mainly sentenced under laws to protect the "independence and unity" of the state.

"Six of the 29 journalists have been released on medical parole, but can be brought back to prison at any moment.

"The Board of WAN calls on the government of Cuba to release all imprisoned journalists and to cease the harassment of people who try to disseminate their ideas, opinions and news inside and outside the country."

The Paris-based WAN, the global organisation for the newspaper industry, defends and promotes press freedom world-wide. It represents 18,000 newspapers; its membership includes 72 national newspaper associations, individual newspaper executives in 102 countries, 11 news agencies and nine regional and world-wide press groups.

Inquiries to: Larry Kilman, Director of Communications, WAN, 7 rue Geoffroy St Hilaire, 75005 Paris France. Tel: +33 1 47 42 85 00. Fax: +33 1 47 42 49 48. Mobile in Korea (until 2 June): +82 11 9679 9721. E-mail: lkilman@wan.asso.fr.