Adolfo Fernandez Sainz is an independent Cuban journalist who was arrested by authorities on the night of March 20, 2003 for violating the protection of national independence and economy. Known as Law 88 in Cuba, harsh punishments are inflicted on those who speak out against Castro's policies and/or support United States policy.

Akezhan Kazhegeldin was born March 2, 1952 in the Soviet Republic of Kazakhstan. His parents were teachers and promoted education. Kazhegeldin received a PhD in economics, and worked as a teacher upon completion of his education. After a distinguished career in the classroom, he served in USSR army and then worked for the party and Soviet executive bodies.

Cuban authorities arrested journalist Carmelo Diaz Fernandez on March 19, 2003 for voicing opposition to Fidel Castro's regime. Fernandez is the president of the Christian Trade Union and an executive board member of the Unitary Council of Cuban workers. He is also the editor of Cuban Independent Trade Union Press Agency (APSIC) and has written articles about Cuban education, economy and society.

International PEN recently highlighted the plight of Chinese dissidents who used the internet to voice their disagreements with the government. Below are brief descriptions of a few imprisoned people.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was born on June 19, 1948 in the Burmese capital of Rangoon. Today she is under house arrest in her native Burma for attempting to bring democracy to the country, currently governed under martial law.

Felix Kulov was born on October 29, 1948, the son of a Colonel in the Soviet army. As an adult, Kulov became a political activist and helped draft both the Kyrgz Constitution and Declaration of Independence. Currently, he is jailed, convicted of politically motivated charges of embezzlement.

Pedro Arguelles Moran was arrested at his home in Cuba on March 20, 2003 during a government round up of journalists. He was the editor of Cooperativa Avilena de Periodistas Independientes (CAPI) and a contributor to CubaPress, Cuba Free Press and Nueva Prensa, all independent publications that are known to be critical of Castro's regime.

Mijail Barzaga was arrested on the night of March 18, 2003 by the Cuban government for publishing counter-revolutionary news and with expressing subversive thoughts against the government. He was tried on April 4th in a Havana courtroom and sentenced to 15 years in prison Reporters Sans Frontieres reported.