Mr. Normando Hernández

Mr. Normando Hernández is an independent journalist who has dedicated his career to providing alternative sources of news and information in Cuba. In 1999, he co-founded the Cuban Foundation for Human Rights, and in 2000, he established the Camaguey Association of Journalists, the first independent organization in Camaguey province since 1959. Declared a “prisoner of conscience” by Amnesty International following Cuba’s “Black Spring” (2003–2010), during which dozens of dissidents and journalists were imprisoned for their activism, Mr. Hernández was exiled to Spain in 2010 and has since resettled in the United States. The author of numerous articles and publications, including the book El Arte de la Tortura: Memorias de un Ex Prisionero de Conciencia Cubano (The Art of Torture: Memories of a Former Cuban Prisoner of Conscience, 2010), he has received several journalism and human rights awards, including the Norwegian Writers Association’s Freedom of Expression Award (2009), the PEN American Center’s PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award (2007), and a special mention by the Inter-American Press Association for excellence in journalism (2003). During his fellowship, Mr. Hernández is examining the Cuban communications monopoly and considering strategies by which independent journalists may combat totalitarianism.

 Articles

"¿Cardenal o vocero del totalitarismo Cubano?" Diario Las Américas, May 1, 2012

"El Papa: A favor o en contra del pueblo de Cuba?" El Instituto La Rosa Blanca, March 23, 2012

“Nueve años atrás” Martí Noticias, March 18, 2012

Presentations

"Promoting Citizen Journalism: Opportunities for Change in Cuba," National Endowment for Democracy, June 13, 2012

“The Path to Freedom: Countering Repression and Strengthening Civil Society in Cuba,” U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps, and Global Narcotics, June 7, 2012 :: video ::

"An act of Solidarity with the People of Cuba: The Struggle for Freedom Continues," Heritage Foundation, May 18, 2012 :: VIDEO

"Further Human Rights Violations in Castro’s Cuba: The Continued Abuse of Political Prisoners," U.S. House of Representatives, House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights and Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, February 16, 2012 :: video :: transcript

Interviews

"Normando Hernandez" George W. Bush Presidential Center: Freedom Collection, November 2011

Press Mentions

"Exponen arte de la resistencia checa en Estados Unidos" Martí Noticias, May 15, 2012