March 18, 2005
One more year in prison: The Status Quo.
Today is the second anniversary of the crackdown on and arrest of the 75 writers, librarians and journalists in Cuba. I've written about their plight many times, including last year's first anniverary post here.
This past year fidel castro released a handful of these dissidents in an effort to appease the European Union to remove sanctions against the island. As is always the case with fidel castro's political machinations, it worked. The European Union blindly accepted the release of this handful of dissidents as a magnanimous gesture on castro's part and began the lifting of sanctions. Not all members of the EU were convinced, however, as seen in this statement released by Vaclav Havel, the former Czech Republic's president.
Of course, releasing a prisoner of conscience in Cuba from prison is really a moot point. It's like releasing that person from a small jail cell to a jail cell the size of an island in the Caribbean. There has been no progress in the areas where these dissidents risk their very lives to change, despite declarations from almost every human rights group in the world demanding their release and support with their cause.
The following is a press release issued by Mothers and Women Against Repression offering solidarity with the imprisoned dissidents and their families:
PRESS RELEASE / M.A.R. POR CUBA - Mothers and Women Against RepressionFor immediate distribution – Miami, Florida, March 17, 2004 – M.A.R. POR CUBA joins the exile community in the various activities programmed in support of the immediate and unconditional liberation of Cuban political prisoners on this second anniversary of the wave of repression unleashed by Dictator Fidel Castro’s regime, which resulted in the massive arrests, summary trials and large sentences of 75 human rights activists, independent journalists and leaders of Cuba’s democratic opposition, as well as in the execution of three Cubans who attempted to flee the island in search of freedom.
The representative of the tyranny that rules Cuba, Pérez Roque, seeks to confuse international public opinion with statements that attempt to deny the systematic human rights violations perpetrated by the totalitarian regime he represents, in order to avoid being sanctioned again during the 61st session of the Human Rights Commission in Geneva, Switzerland.
In light of the thousands and thousands of documented crimes committed by Castro’s regime, and the arbitrary incarceration of hundreds of Cuban political prisoners under sub human conditions, the irrefutable evidence is that in Cuba nothing has changed, and that all and each of the articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights continue to be trampled upon.
Democratic States will have the opportunity to stand in solidarity with the victims of repression on April 14 and 15, through their vote as members of the U.N. Human Rights Commission. It is our hope that they remember the nature of Castro’s repressive system and the alliances forged among the world’s greatest human rights’ violators, which inexplicably sit on the Commission to silence the voices of those they oppress.
M.A.R. POR CUBA joins the “Damas de Blanco” in the island – wives, mothers, daughters, sisters and family members of Cuban political prisoners -- in the just clamor for their ¡freedom!
This past week, two of these former political prisoners also sent out a press release calling for solidarity with their cause:
Cuban dissidents seek support for peaceful rallyCuba today is dominated by a communist regime similar to those that once spread through Eastern Europe. For more than 46 years, power has been exercised by the same man; only one party exists; dissent over official policies is forbidden.
Amnesty International has declared Cuba the country with the largest number of prisoners of conscience in the world. When it comes to economics, the people are mired in poverty; the average monthly wage is less than $10. In sum, all human rights are violated.
Surrounded by this situation, several hundred small independent (not legalized) organizations have decided to join together, form the Assembly for the Advancement of Civil Society and gather peacefully in Havana on May 20 to debate ways to democratize Cuba.
It is easy to understand that, in these circumstances and facing the power of the totalitarian state, our project needs the support and encouragement of the greatest possible number of men and women of good will in the world.
To that end, we respectfully invite you to write and give us your valuable opinions and, if you wish, express your support for our peaceful efforts.
We hope to answer each and every one of you, with much appreciation and recognition.
You may write to us at the following electronic address: mbroque1712@yahoo.es
RENE GOMEZ MANZANOMARTHA BEATRIZ ROQUE CABELLO,
former political prisoners, Havana, Cuba
I urge each and every one of you reading this to send these dissidents a note showing solidarity. Add your voice to oppose the despotic regime of fidel castro and show these folks who risk their very lives to have the same freedoms we take for granted that they have your support.
One voice will make a sound, but many voices in unison is what makes freedom ring.
Posted by Val Prieto at March 18, 2005 10:37 AM |
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Comments
makes me think of the Marti quote from my learning childhood.
"Only Oppression should Fear the Full Exercise of Freedom."
Posted by: Felix Ricardo at March 18, 2005 11:36 AM
Felix,
You mean that same quote that is the background of my main blog page?
Alabaoo, dude, cafecito time?
Posted by: Val Prieto at March 18, 2005 01:12 PM
ha ha ha, I didn't know, seriously. And Yes, I'm tired of the class I'm in I'm going out for Croqueta's and a Cortadito. Laters
Posted by: Felix Ricardo at March 18, 2005 04:26 PM
The EU is comprised of self-serving, corrupt assholes. They proved that with their criminal behavior in the Oil-For-Food deal with Sadam. They don't care about Cuban dissidents in prison. They are only concerned with appearances.
Posted by: Hank at March 18, 2005 05:04 PM
Gracias por las noticias que aparecen aquí. Fue por medio de otro sitio que descubrí esta bitácora sobre Cuba. Ya me ocupé de mandarle mi carta de apoyo al grupo que aparece mencionado arriba.
Posted by: Alberto Perales at March 18, 2005 06:55 PM
Done Val,
Enough is enough, my mother needs to know the island is free before she dies, my dad did not have that privilege.
If giving support will hasten this, then it is the duty of all of us to help and bring the end of the misery and suffering of our brothers which have endured the battle in the front lines.
My daughters need to know why their dad becomes sad at times for what seems to be no apparent reason to them. I do not think any of us will be truly whole until we see this happen.
We all carry a great sad burden which is well veiled by our national psyche and character. None but we Cubans, will ever fully understand this.
Posted by: cohetedude at March 18, 2005 11:07 PM
How can we participate in the 20th May?
Even virtually, I think a VERY strong show of support would be of tremendous moral impact. Let's take advantage of technology to do this perhaps an online realtime chat room while the meetings take place.
A web cast! We have two months to think of something were we ALL are counted perhaps a chance to make history. Going to Cuba is out of the question but we CAN be present. Any ideas will be welcome, I have the technological know how and the resources in the states to do just about anything. I can recruit the free sponsorship of a major Internet provider for bandwith The only snag would be setup in La Habana but this could be set up at the USA interest section. Cason WILL get a DHL package telling him what we plan to do. WE need to let the world know that we are ALL looking, we need Castro know that we are ALL looking. With Val's permision I encourage you all to post your ideas (as crazy as they may sound) and let's come up with a plan.
I REALLY want to be part of this. My heart tells me this will be the turning point we have been waiting for for 46 years!
Posted by: KillCastro at March 19, 2005 08:25 AM
KC,
On May 20th Illbe live blogging from the Cuba Nostalgia convention. Ill have a slew of pcs with net connections there. Wecan plan something pretty big.
I too would like to hear everyone's suggestions.
Posted by: Val Prieto at March 19, 2005 08:38 AM
I will start my inquires into a possible web cast from Cuba ... Val,
Do you have any Cuban associations in Miami that can put is in direct contact with the Interest Section?
We should as of now start documenting all progress (or set backs); Who has been invited who has been allowed a visa etc.
Val, mi hermano no sabes lo que esto significa! Un MILLONAR de gracias por este blog, I feel revitalized !
Posted by: KillCastro at March 19, 2005 09:31 AM