The Castro dictatorship in Cuba continues to exert its power to decide who can and cannot leave the island. The latest victim of the regime's repressive tactics is dissident and independent journalist Ivan Hernandez Carrillo, who was denied a passport by government officials, effectively banning him from leaving the island.

This latest oppressive act took place in spite of the migratory reforms announced by dictator Raul Castro that supposedly lifted the decades-long ban on Cubans traveling outside the island. The changes were lauded by the press and "Cuba Experts" as proof the Cuban regime is reforming. In practice, however, it shows without a doubt the Castro dictatorship remains a repressive totalitarian state that continues to violate tenets of the UN Declaration of Human Rights, which prohibits impeding the right of citizens from leaving and entering their own country.

Via Capitol Hill Cubans:

Another Dissident Denied a Passport

As predicted, the Castro regime has no intention of eliminating its exit restrictions for Cubans.

It has simply transferred the review process (and cost)  -- of whom it will arbitrarily allow to travel -- from the infamous "white card" to a new passport.

And while it first granted passports to a couple of dissidents to capture some headlines, it continues to deny others.

Today, it denied a passport to independent journalist Ivan Hernandez Carrillo, for so-called reasons of "public interest."

Others who have been recently denied a passport include Ladies in White member Gisela Delgado, and pro-democracy leaders Angel Moya and Jose Daniel Ferrer.

More "reform" you can't believe in.