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Dear Press Freedom Supporter,
Last Thursday, Nicaragua released 222 political prisoners to the U.S.
in what Secretary of State Antony Blinken said was "a
constructive step toward addressing human rights abuses in the
country."
Among those who arrived in Virginia last week were 7 journalists and
media workers, and we at CPJ made sure we were there to welcome them
and provide support. Helping those in prison is a key part of our work
and as soon as we learned of the prisoner release we dispatched staff
member Dánae Vilchez, herself an exiled Nicaraguan journalist
to meet the deported journalists.
These included Juan Lorenzo Holmann Chamorro, publisher of
Nicaragua's last remaining independent print newspaper, La
Prensa, who told CPJ: "I don't feel totally free. Because
free would be if I could be in Nicaragua, that's the real
freedom". Like all of the other 222 exiles, Chamorro was
stripped of his citizenship in order to be allowed to leave. Like
many, he also leaves his family behind.
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That so many agreed to these conditions is a mark of just how
repressive the country has become under President Daniel
Ortega.
Exile is a growing grim reality for journalists worldwide. And CPJ is
stepping up its work to meet the increasing demand. This includes
dispatching our team to meet exiled reporters and provide them with
information, emergency funds to cover the cost of housing and basic
needs.
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In the case of the Nicaraguan journalists and media workers, CPJ made
contact with all seven, establishing each individual's needs. We
provided funding for accommodation and food bills, as well as liaising
directly with the State department when needed. Spending time with
each former detainee was vital because they had so little information
ahead of their departure. "We realized that we were going to the
United States almost on the plane's steps," sports
journalist Miguel Mendoza told us.
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Being a helping hand for journalists in crisis has been part of our
work at CPJ for more than 40 years. But the current level of jailings,
threats, attacks - and exile - are unprecedented.
A monthly donation will ensure we can continue to help those in
crisis. Thank you for standing with CPJ.
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Best,
Jodie
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Committee to Protect Journalists
P.O. Box 2675
New York, NY 10108 - United States
