Discussing Cuba: Sources, Experiences, Successes, and Struggles

[alexandra]

TSA, I am starting right now to research the Cuban political system and how elections work there. Excuse me if the research takes a while: I want to do a proper job of it:-)

 

[Schrodinger's Dog]

I've had the same problem ofcourse but there are international agencies that can be used as sources. Ofcourse it is consistently claimed that these sources are manipulated and bullied by the US and so are not reliable. These sources gather information from ex-Cubans, recent "refugees", and people who are currently in Cuba.
Discussing the state of human rights in Cuba will get no where though if either side in the discussion refuses to consider information that is not "friendly" to their position. You can claim that my sources are coloured because they are anti-Cuba and I can claim that any Cuban sources are coloured by the censorship of their government. I can agree to give your sources the benefit of the doubt and actually read and consider what they have to say if you will do the same for mine and we can both consider the information based on it's own merit rather than being biased due to it's source.
If there really is an oppressed people living in Cuba just how likely do you think it is that they will have internet access and be posting about it online anyway? There is also that list of independant journalists on the Net For Cuba site but ofcourse they are anti-castro otherwise they would be working for the one (or is it two since thay have two channels?) official and legal news agency in Cuba.
I understand that US policies will effect Cuba economically and effect their standard of living. Even if there are several other countries that will do business with them, and do, the US and US shipping lanes are the closest and will undoubtedly have an effect on them. You can consider me to have utterly conceeded this point that much hardship in Cuba can easily and dirtectly be connected to US policies which have not allowed Cuba to economically "sink or swim" of it's own accord.
There are issues I have brought up though in regards to...
I'll come back to this...

It was in response to this. Democracy is the best form of Gov for America, that's all I have to say I think. Trying to force your ideals on others is not very democratic, America needs to solve it's own problems before placing sanctions on countries who's ideals differ is all I meant.

Really physician heal thyself!

 

[alexandra]

I don't. How's that? I hate hypocracy and I hate double standards.
You condemn the Bush Admin for such infringements based on such reasoning so why is it that you have yet to say that you condemn these sorts of actions by Castro?

Don't be belligerent, TSA - did I say I do not condemn any human rights violations that may be occurring in Cuba? I have said nothing of the sort; in fact, I said I will research this issue, and I will. The only thing I said was that this issue is not as clear-cut as you seem to think it is, and that US and CIA policies and actions may be contributing to the restrictions of freedom in Cuba.

I don't care what the US does and what the CIA does, it shouldn't have any inpact on the legality of forming unions and human rights organizations among several other things.

So Castro should just let US and CIA agents run rampant and do what they like to him and to Cuban society? Does that really sound reasonable to you?

Do you know that Cuban workers are not allowed to form unions? I don't know this for sure... I need to do some research. I also know very little about the presence or otherwise of human rights organisations in Cuba; again, this is something I have to research.

Sorry if this sounds annoyed - we must try to keep this discussion unemotional. I'm going to do some research now.

 

[Schrodinger's Dog]

I don't. How's that? I hate hypocracy and I hate double standards.
You condemn the Bush Admin for such infringements based on such reasoning so why is it that you have yet to say that you condemn these sorts of actions by Castro?
I don't care what the US does and what the CIA does, it shouldn't have any inpact on the legality of forming unions and human rights organizations among several other things.

I've got to say you should care what they do, because two wrongs don't make a right? I condemn bush from a purely personal view that the man is border line retarded, but hey that's just my opinion, frankly letting some bumbling idiot run your country is probably the best course of action He's kind of like the president of the universe in Douglas Adams Hitchikers guide to the galaxy: a bumbling stooge designed to take the focus off those with the real power: again IMO

 

[TheStatutoryApe]

Don't be belligerent, TSA - did I say I do not condemn any human rights violations that may be occurring in Cuba?

I apologize if I come off as belligerant. You seemed to make the assumption that I agreed with the actions by the US government that you mentioned and I do not. I also know that you condemn such logic as you mentioned and that is why I asked my question. Please do note that I asked you and did not assume in my wording though I do find it strange that you seem to be using such logic as an excuse for Cuba (note in the wording "seem") when you say things like "The only thing I said was that this issue is not as clear-cut as you seem to think it is, and that US and CIA policies and actions may be contributing to the restrictions of freedom in Cuba."
Since you have yet to really elaborate much it looks like you hold a double standard, hence my question. If you could clarify I would appreciate it.

So Castro should just let US and CIA agents run rampant and do what they like to him and to Cuban society? Does that really sound reasonable to you?

I don't believe I said this. Perhaps if I clarify and say that I don't believe that US and CIA actions merit the sort of oppression that exists in Cuba. The way I worded it first may have been a bit flip but I think it was rather clear.

Do you know that Cuban workers are not allowed to form unions? I don't know this for sure... I need to do some research. I also know very little about the presence or otherwise of human rights organisations in Cuba; again, this is something I have to research.

I have posted links to material on this including reports from the UN Special Rapporteur. Also see Wiki...

Groups like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch also criticize the alleged censorship, the lack of press freedom in Cuba, the lack of civil rights, the outlawing of political opposition groups and unions, and the lack of what they call free and democratic elections. The government recognizes only one labor union, the Worker's Central of Cuba (Central de Trabajadores de Cuba, CTC). Independent labor unions are denied formal status and their members are harassed. Extremely effective state security with its network of informers and spies [32] continues to hold effective control. No local human rights groups enjoy legal status. Cuba remains one of the few countries in the world, and the only one in the Western Hemisphere, to deny the International Committee of the Red Cross access to its prisons. [33]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuba#Human_rights

See also..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights_in_Cuba

 

[Smurf]

It's in the Wiki article Smurf. If you dispute this then please back your dispute up.

Fine. Since you don't want to back up YOUR claim I guess it's up to me to show you that you're wrong anyways.

The International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC), which visits prisoners in custody for political and security offenses all over the world, last conductedprison visits in Cuba in 1988 and 1989

Took exactly 1 minute and 26 seconds to find that. Used google. I think even you could've done that.

 

[Schrodinger's Dog]

Sorry why would you need unions in a marxist society anwyay, since workers control the means of production, the government and everything else in theory? Fidel Castro is not really a communist as communism has no place for a dictator. It is ruled by it's people for it's people, in it's purest form, therefore to call Cuba communist socialist or marxist is really a falacy in itself. Cuba is a dicatorship plain and simple a left wing one, yes but truly communist or socialist, don't think so.

 

[alexandra]

A question, TSA: how do you define 'democracy' and 'democratic'? This is going to be important in our discussion of Cuban political structures. Are 'multi-pary elections' a precondition (both necessary and sufficient)? Or would you accept other forms of popular participation? Is it more democratic to have a number of parties to choose from, or is it more democratic for any person to be eligible for election to positions of power? My research is really enlightening so far - I should be able to post a good response by tomorrow.

 

[alexandra]

Sorry why would you need unions in a marxist society anwyay, since workers control the means of production, the government and everything else in theory? Fidel Castro is not really a communist as communism has no place for a dictator. It is ruled by it's people for it's people, in it's purest form, therefore to call Cuba communist socialist or marxist is really a falacy in itself. Cuba is a dicatorship plain and simple a left wing one, yes but truly communist or socialist, don't think so.

Hang on, Shcrodinger's Dog (by the way, I like your name - v. amusing ) - it's more complex than that. Have a look at these links: http://www.quaylargo.com/Productions/McCelvey.html and http://www.cuba-solidarity.org/cubasi_article.asp?ArticleID=53

 

[alexandra]

So please tell me what you think and have to say about the allegations of human rights violations in Cuba. When we have discussed socialism and communism before the issue of human rights, freedom of expression, ect. are always at the forefront. Those of us that have stated we are uneasy (or even outright against in some cases) these systems of government have always pointed out what look like obvious issues to us. Looking at Cuba which you and others seem to regard as a rather successful(barring US intervention) socialist experiment I can't help but see the same issues that are brought up time and again about socialism and communism in general.

We good citizens of the 'western liberal democracies', through the mass media controlled by corporations, are subjected to a lot of propaganda. Here is my initial response to issues of 'human rights' (which, by the way, we will have to define more precisely - I would have thought they should include such things as the right to food, housing, health services and education? We'll have to determine what we all accept as a baseline definition of 'human rights') and 'freedom of expression':

Yet no evidence is given to suggest that political dissidents in Cuba are killed or tortured, as they have been (and on a large scale) by US backed regimes in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Chile and Colombia. The simple fact is there are no “death squads” in Cuba.

Even the US State Department, in its 2004 country report - and trying its hardest to vilify Cuba - acknowledged that Cuba had, “no political killings ... no reports of politically motivated disappearances”. The US also acknowledges there were no reports of religious repression, little discrimination, compulsory and free schooling, a universal health system, substantial artistic freedom, and no reports of torture…. The State Department report did state, “prisoners [in Cuba] ... often were subjected to repeated, vigorous interrogations”. As a human rights abuse, this hardly compares with the very public tortures and murders of Iraqi prisoners by the US army.

<snip>

In its current climate of threat, Cuba has restricted opposition parties, but it is far from the “brutal dictatorship” portrayed by McGeough. I have visited the island twice. There is no general climate of fear. People speak freely, criticising their government, but criticising the US Government far more. Cubans also participate in their political system at much higher levels than do Australians.

Cuba's human rights record is remarkable - taking into account its excellent health and education systems, the care of its citizens’ basic needs, and the internationalism demonstrated through its health and education support to many other poor countries.

Unlike Australia, Cuba has never invaded another country, participated in the carpet bombing of civilians, or engaged in a worldwide torture network. There are great dangers in joining in with these new rounds of alleged “human right abuses”, levelled against “the Empire's” latest target.

http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=3243

Note how the above article critiques Australia as well as the US in comparison to Cuba (I am not selective about which capitalist country/government I mention in my critiques!).

There is only one party and all others are illegal. All agencies and organizations owe their existence to the party and are illegal if they do not agree with the aims of the party. Protesters, journalists, human rights activists, political figures, ect are arrested and jailed if they openly criticize or denounce the party. Educational and employment opportunities are dependant on your political affiliation and history. There is a class of "Party Members" who live in the lap of luxury while regular citizens stand in lines for their basic necessities in direct contradiction to the idea espoused by that same party that everyone are to be equal and receive equally.
So what do you say to all of this?

TSA, could you provide sources for some of this information? I would be particularly interested in knowing about how educational and employment opportunities are dependant on your party affiliation (given that I have read only 10-15% of the population are party members). I would also like to see who wrote/said that there is a class of party members who live in the lap of luxury - I am aware that this was the case in the Soviet Union, but haven't read anywhere that it happens in Cuba. I'm not trying to be a pain - I just think these allegations have to be examined.

 

[Art]

When one examines Cuba's history it is clear that the original revolution did not start off as a Marxist-Leninist revolution but was actually an attempt to restore democratic rule to the country by removing General Batista who had gained power in a coup in 1952. One of the first things the rebels did was to restore the 1940 constitution, which Batista had suspended, and promise free and fair elections within 2 years. The delay was to give other parties (which had been banned under Batista) time to form and a chance to organise themselves.

Things began to go wrong very soon afterwards. Batista in return for US military and financial aid had been very generous to US business and so the country was effectively owned by corporate America. (They owned ~50% of the total assets of Cuba and employed just 1% of the work force)
These businessmen and thus their political leaders were extremely concerned about the consequences of the revolution as to how it would affect their investments.

And so the US decided on a 3-pronged approach to overthrow the new gov't.

First to finance and support anti-revolutionary propaganda to try and erode the revolution's popular support.

Second by supporting counter revolutionary groups both directly through covert CIA operations including terrorist style bombings and overtly by channelling money and weapons to anti-Castro groups in the US who staged some rather pathetic attempts to invade Cuba.

Finally they imposed stringent economic sanctions on Cuba and to make them as tough as possible leant heavily on Cuba's other trading partners to support the sanctions. eg President of Ecuador, Josh Maria Velasco Ibarra, announced the U.S. had demanded that his country break off diplomatic relations with Cuba as a condition to the approval of various loans.

Meanwhile Russia who were always keen to extend their influence came along and offered oil, loans ($100 m credit line) and trade to replace the holes in the economy created by US policy. Before agreeing to this offer Castro requested negotiations with the US gov't but was refused outright by US Secretary of State John Foster Dulles and so that is when Russia became heavily involved in the revolution.

From that point on things continued to snowball. For example Cuba's oil refinaries owned by Texaco, Esso and Shell were instructed by the US gov't not to refine the Russian oil and so Castro nationalised them which further infuriated corporate America. The US retaliated by passing the Sugar Act eliminating Cuba's sugar quota and Cuba retaliated by nationalising the rest of the US companies in it's territories and signed a deal with China to sell their sugar to them instead.

It was in fact 3 years into the revolution, by which time he was very heavily indebted to Russia and to a lesser extent China, that Castro declared he had decided to be a Marxist-Leninist. Which given the politics of his backers isn't too surprising.

Shortly after the successful revolution American journalist Walter Lippmann wrote:

"For the thing we should never do in dealing with revolutionary countries, in which the world abounds, is to push them behind an iron curtain raised by ourselves. On the contrary, even when they have been seduced and subverted and are drawn across the line, the right thing to do is to keep the way open for their return."

and in fact Kennedy finally woke up to this fact when in Nov 1963 he asked French journalist Jean Daniel to tell Castro that he is now ready to negotiate normal relations and drop the embargo. According to former Press Secretary Pierre Salinger, "

If Kennedy had lived I am confident that he would have negotiated that agreement and dropped the embargo because he was upset with the way the Soviet Union was playing a strong role in Cuba and Latin America…"

In conclusion Cuba was not so much an experiment with socialism as accidental socialism. But for the initial policies of the US gov't both Castro and Cuba might have had a very different political system today. It is also interesting that many of the human rights violations, erosions of civil liberties and indeed their totalitarian gov't many are so critical of can be traced back to being derived from emergency measures introduced to combat terrorism. Perhaps Cuba today is an indicator of where America could find itself tomorrow.

 

[alexandra]

This is a good historical summary of how Castro was forced into an alliance with the Soviet Union, Art. Che Guevara was a Marxist from early on, and Raul Castro joined the Communist Party early on, but Castro's initial aim was, as you say, more nationalistic and events forced his hand over time.

 

[alexandra]

Elections and Democracy: the Cuban Political Process

There are three levels of government in Cuba: municipal, provincial and national. I found a good summary, written in plain English, of how the electoral system works (I have bolded some statements for emphasis):

The Cuban political system is based on a foundation of local elections. Each urban neighborhood and rural village and area is organized into a "circumscription," consisting generally of 1000 to 1500 voters. The circumscription meets regularly to discuss neighborhood or village problems. Each three years, the circumscription conducts elections, in which from two to eight candidates compete. The nominees are not nominated by the Communist Party or any other organizations. The nominations are made by anyone in attendance at the meetings, which generally have a participation rate of 85% to 95%. Those nominated are candidates for office without party affiliation. They do not conduct campaigns as such. A one page biography of all the candidates is widely-distributed. The nominees are generally known by the voters, since the circumscription is generally not larger than 1500 voters. If no candidate receives 50% of the votes, a run-off election is held. Those elected serve as delegates to the Popular Councils, which are intermediary structures between the circumscription and the Municipal Assembly. Those elected also serve simultaneously as delegates to the Municipal Assembly. The delegates serve in the Popular Councils and the Municipal Assemblies on a voluntary basis without pay, above and beyond their regular employment.

The Municipal Assemblies elect the chief executives of the Municipality, who have supervision over the various ministries, such as health and education, within the Municipality. The Municipal Assemblies also elect an electoral commission, which develops a slate of candidates for the Provincial Assembly for ratification by the voters in the province. The Provincial Assemblies have responsibilities in the Province which parallel those of the Municipal Assembly in the Municipality, including electing an electoral commission which develops a slate of candidates for the National Assembly for ratification by the voters in the nation. The National Assembly is the legislative branch, and as such it makes the laws. It also elects the President of the Council of State, who appoints a cabinet and makes a government. The President of the Council of State is Fidel Castro, a position to which he has been re-elected since, I believe, 1975, when the Constitution was established.

The role of the Communist Party in the political process is very different from what I had previously thought. The Cuban Communist Party is not an electoral party. It does not nominate or support candidates for office. Nor does it make laws or select the head of state. These roles are played by the national assembly, which is elected by the people, and for which membership in the Communist Party is not required. Most members of the national, provincial, and municipal assemblies are members of the Communist Party, but many are not, and those delegates and deputies who are party members are not selected by the party but by the people in the electoral process. The party is not open to anyone to join. About fifteen percent of adults are party members. Members are selected by the party in a thorough process that includes interviews with co-workers and neighbors. Those selected are considered model citizens. They are selected because they are viewed as strong supporters of the revolution; as hard and productive workers; as people who are well-liked and respected by their co-workers and neighbors; as people who have taken leadership roles in the various mass organizations of women, students, workers, and farmers; as people who take seriously their responsibilities as spouses and parents and family members; and as people who have "moral" lives, such as avoiding excessive use of alcohol or extramarital relations that are considered scandalous. The party is viewed as the vanguard of the revolution. It makes recommendations concerning the future development of the revolution, and it criticizes tendencies it considers counterrevolutionary. It has enormous influence in Cuba, but its authority is moral, not legal. The party does not make laws or elect the president. These tasks are carried out by the National Assembly, which is elected by the people.

Prior traveling to Cuba, I had heard that the Cuban Communist Party is the only political party and that in national elections the voters are simply presented with a slate of candidates, rather than two or more candidates and/or political parties from which to choose. These two observations are correct. But taken by themselves, they give a very misleading impression. They imply that the Cuban Communist Party develops the slate, which in fact it does not do. Since the slate makers are named by those who are elected, the ratification of the slate by the voters is simply the final step in a process that begins with the voters. The reason given for using a slate rather than presenting voters with a choice at this stage was that the development of the slate ensures that all sectors (such as women, workers, farmers, students, representative of important social service agencies in the jurisdiction, etc.) are represented.
http://www.quaylargo.com/Productions/McCelvey.html

Here are some more links for those who want to find out more:
An article entitled “Five reasons why the people rule”, by academic and author Isaac Saney: http://www.cuba-solidarity.org/cubasi_article.asp?ArticleID=53 - an extract:

Cuba is almost invariably portrayed as a totalitarian regime, a veritable "gulag" guided and controlled by one man: Fidel Castro. However, this position cannot be sustained once the reality of Cuba is assessed on its own merits. Extensive democratic popular participation in decision-making is at the centre of the Cuban model of governance. More: http://www.cuba-solidarity.org/cubasi_article.asp?ArticleID=53

The five points Saney identifies are:

1. The system responds to the people’s demands.

2. The Communist Party takes no part…. it is the norm for ordinary working people to be both nominated and elected.

3. The delegates are answerable to their constituents…. Each delegate must live in the electoral district (usually comprising a maximum of two thousand people). Each municipal assembly meets four times a year and elects from its membership a president, vice president and a secretary. These are the only full-time, paid positions in Cuban local government; all other members of the municipal assemblies are unpaid and continue in the jobs they had before they were elected. Delegates have a high degree of familiarity with their constituency and are constantly on call. Every six months, there is a formal accountability session at which complaints, suggestions and other community interests (planteamientos) are raised with the delegates.

4. Consensus and unity rather than contest and division is the basis of the system.

5. Civil society is engaged in the process - the Cuba political system is augmented by a very active and vibrant civil society. A critical aspect of the Cuban political system is the integration of a variety of mass organizations into political activity. No new policy or legislation can be adopted or contemplated until the appropriate organization or association representing the sector of society that would be directly affected has been consulted. These organizations have very specific functions and responsibilities. In addition to the Communist Party, the Young Communist League and the Confederation of Cuban Workers, there are the Cuban Federation of Women, the Committees to Defend the Revolution, the National Association of Small Farmers and the Federation of University Students.
More details: http://www.cuba-solidarity.org/cubasi_article.asp?ArticleID=53

A Canadian travel site’s section entitled “Political Questions and Answers on Cuba”: http://www.canadacuba.ca/traveltips/qanda1.php - some very interesting questions asked there.

And, for those who dare – the official Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, http://www.cubaminrex.cu/English/index.asp , and an article about Democracy in Cuba (http://www.cubaminrex.cu/English/Focus_On/Democracy%20in%20Cuba.htm ) and heaps of links to articles about elections and the electoral process in action (http://www.cubaminrex.cu/English/Focus_On/Elections%20in%20Cuba.htm )

I found a lot more information, but perhaps this is enough for now?

 

[alexandra]

Popular support for Castro and socialism in Cuba

I've been researching the extent to which people support Castro and the revolution in Cuba. I have come across many comments both from Cubans as well as from people who visited Cuba and interacted with the Cuban people that indicate there is very strong support for both Castro and socialism in Cuba. For example...

In an article entitled “The Myth of Dictatorship in Cuba” (this article was also referred to in a previous posting on this thread), Professor of Sociology Charles MkKelvey writes:

I have been to Cuba four times since 1993. Last summer, I was there for ten weeks, and my activities included in-depth interviews of university professors and leaders in the Popular Councils concerning the political process in Cuba. In addition, I talked to many different people that I met informally, sometimes through families with which I was connected and other times with people I met as I traveled about Havana by myself. I do not consider myself an expert on Cuba. I would describe myself as someone who is knowledgeable about Third World national liberation movements and is in the process of learning about the Cuban case.

My general impression is that the revolutionary government enjoys a high degree of legitimacy among the people. Occasionally, I came across someone who was alienated from the system. Their disaffection was not rooted in the political system but in the economic hardships that have emerged during the "special period." The great majority seemed to support the system and seemed very well informed about the structures of the world economy and the challenges that Cuba faces. Many defended the system with great enthusiasm and strong conviction. I had expected none of this prior to my first trip, recalling my visit to Tanzania in 1982, by which time many had come to view "ujamaa socialism" as a faded dream, at least according to my impressions during my brief visit. But to my surprise, I found much support for the revolutionary project in Cuba. I could not help but contrast this to the United States, where there is widespread cynicism in regard to political and other institutions….

Cubans tend to enthusiastically defend their system. They point out that the elected members of the assemblies are not professional politicians who must rely on fund-raising to be elected, as occurs in the United States. Moreover, it avoids excessive conflict among political parties, at the expense of the common good. As my good friend Professor Guzman observed, "it is a system which avoids the absurdities and distortions of bourgeois democracy." They seem to believe in it. I think it makes sense. I also think that the political system in the United States is experiencing a legitimation crisis, so I am not inclined to recommend it to Cubans. It seems to me that they have developed a system carefully designed to ensure that wealthy individuals do not have greater voice than working class individuals, and therefore it is a system that is more advanced in protecting the political rights of citizens
http://www.quaylargo.com/Productions/McCelvey.html

Is Fidel Castro beloved, or secretly despised by the Cuban people?
Fidel Castro will go down in history as the greatest leader of the 20th century. He is loved and admired by the Cuban people because he is a true humanist, dedicated to the cause of Cuban independence. He is as much interested today in the total emancipation of his country as he ever was during the revolutionary struggle of the 1950s. http://www.canadacuba.ca/traveltips/qanda1.php

I've read more to the same effect on Discussion Boards, but I don't think it's a good idea to provide the URLs because I don't want those people harrassed and their discussions sabotaged by more right-wing elements than are already bugging them! It's so typical - there are discussion boards where people are genuinely trying to understand aspects of daily life in Cuba, and then someone with no interest at all in finding anything out comes along and posts a provocative comment (without backing it up in any way - just saying 'everyone knows things are like this') and takes the discussion completely off track (or tries to).

 

[TheStatutoryApe]

Fine. Since you don't want to back up YOUR claim I guess it's up to me to show you that you're wrong anyways.
Took exactly 1 minute and 26 seconds to find that. Used google. I think even you could've done that.

Lordy Smurf. Did you not read any other part of my post?

It's in the Wiki article Smurf. If you dispute this then please back your dispute up.

The Commission also adopted a resolution on the situation of human rights in Cuba, by a roll-call vote of 21 in favour to 17 against, with 15 abstentions, in which it invited the Personal Representative of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to report to the Commission on the current status of the situations addressed in the resolutions of the Commission concerning the situation of human rights in Cuba.
Cuba said everyone knew that the real cause of attempts to stigmatise Cuba at the Commission was Cuba's unyielding rebelliousness against the world's imperialist unjust order and because of its unflinching defence of its independence and sovereignty. Cuba would not get tired of fighting; would not surrender; and would never make concessions.
http://www.unhchr.ch/huricane/hurica...C?opendocument

Cuba has consistentlt refused to let anyone from the UN Human Rights Commission visit the country for an inspection.
http://www.icrc.org/Web/Eng/siteeng0...K?OpenDocument
This article discusses how the ICRC was allowed into Cuban prisons shortly before and shortly after the revolution but was denied there after. Since then the ICRC was eventually allowed back but I have found no mention of admittance to the prisons. So far though the only other trips by the ICRC to a Cuban prison I have found are for Guantanamo.
HRW are the ones that claim the ICRC has been denied access to Cuban prisons. There is however a Cuban Red Cross which keeps in contact with the ICRC and presumably investigates the prisons.
http://www.cubafreepress.org/art2/cubap000626.html
This article claims that the ICRC has not been back to Cuba since 1989.
It also points out that the UN Special Rapporteur was never allowed to visit Cuba in the time that he held this office between 1994 and 1998. Most up to date the commissioner of the UN Human Rights Commission(mentioned above) has been denied visitation to Cuba for the last two years.

I searched with Google, Wiki, and the website for the ICRC. Sorry that appears to not have been enough. Next time I correct myself I should be sure to add "I humbly beg your pardon" I suppose?

In the mean time I guess no one has anything to say about the ICRC not being allowed in Cuba since 1989 (which I did point out and source myself), or the Un Special Rapporteur not being allowed to visit, or the commissioner of the UN HRC not being allowed to visit?


I'll try to get to as much of the rest of the recent posts as possible in a bit here.

 

[alexandra]

In the mean time I guess no one has anything to say about the ICRC not being allowed in Cuba since 1989 (which I did point out and source myself), or the Un Special Rapporteur not being allowed to visit, or the commissioner of the UN HRC not being allowed to visit?

I think the answer is actually in an extract you quoted yourself, TSA:

Cuba said everyone knew that the real cause of attempts to stigmatise Cuba at the Commission was Cuba's unyielding rebelliousness against the world's imperialist unjust order and because of its unflinching defence of its independence and sovereignty. Cuba would not get tired of fighting; would not surrender; and would never make concessions.
http://www.unhchr.ch/huricane/hurica...C?opendocument

But I will search for more information about this and see what I can dig up.

 

[alexandra]

Talking with Cubans about the State of the Nation (3/5/04)

I foundt this non-partisan article that outlines view that are both pro and against the Castro government and Cuba's version of socialism. I have copied a few selected passages from it. Anyone who is interested in reading more can go to the link shown below.

HAVANA — After nearly half a century of revolution, the small island of Cuba is still evolving. Even Cuba’s supporters were moved to criticize the nation’s human rights record last April, when 75 Cuban dissidents were sent to jail, and three men who had hijacked a ferry in an attempt to reach Florida were executed. At the same time, the Bush administration continues to pander to the anti-Castro Florida vote while it pours millions of dollars a year into attempts to topple Fidel Castro.

But while Cuba and the political debates that surround it receive overwhelming attention, the inside reality of life there and the opinions of Cubans themselves are often absent from the discussion.

With a population of more than 11 million, Cuba, like any other country in the world, is full of all types—patriots, dissidents, the educated, the apathetic, and many who are just trying to raise their kids, work a job and live in peace. As most Cubans point out, daily life on the island is a struggle. The refrain "No es fácil, muchacho" ("It’s not easy, kid") peppers any discussion...

Before the Cuban revolution in 1959, unequal distribution of wealth and foreign control of resources caused widespread poverty and crime. While some young Cubans are dissatisfied with their social reality now, older citizens say that Cuba today is much better off than it was 50 years ago. They say that while there are still differences in living standards, resources and social services are widely available and more equally shared...

Equally varied are public opinions regarding personal freedom. Some Cubans are die-hard Castro supporters, while others are quick to call the government a restrictive dictatorship. And though people aren’t allowed to speak against the government in public, many do so unabashedly in personal conversations. The majority of this criticism is directly related to the low salaries and the scarcity of basic household products, difficulty of travel to other countries, and the absence of freedom of expression. Still, these opinions do not always seem to carry over into social relationships, and many people commented that they had friends both pro and anti-Castro...

In many ways, the average Cuban is guaranteed more essential rights than most people in the world. One hospital lab technician in Havana remarked that during Cuba’s alliance with the Soviet Union, "We were living like millionaires and we didn’t even know it." It remains to be seen what Cubans will be saying when the reign of Fidel Castro ends.

More: http://upsidedownworld.org/main/content/view/42/43/

 

[Smurf]

The coolest part of that link is:

In the tiny rural community of Gramali, there is no electricity or running water and the bus comes three times a week, when it’s not broken. Yet the four corners that constitute the center of town are made up of a store/pharmacy, a bakery, a school, and a solar-powered medical center.

That's awsome!

 

[alexandra]

Cuba's innovative alternative energy programs

The coolest part of that link is:

In the tiny rural community of Gramali, there is no electricity or running water and the bus comes three times a week, when it’s not broken. Yet the four corners that constitute the center of town are made up of a store/pharmacy, a bakery, a school, and a solar-powered medical center.

That's awsome!

There’s lots of good stuff happening on the energy front in Cuba. Here are some extracts from a recent news article on energy:

Fidel Castro Highlights Importance of Energy Revolution in Cuba
01/18/2006

The energy revolution currently boosted by Cuba geared at making the national power supply system safer and more efficient will mark a new stage on the island, said Cuban President Fidel Castro.

In a ceremony held Tuesday night at a power substation in western Pinar del Río province, the Cuban head of state termed that process as a decisive battle, which could yield useful lessons for the Cuban people and the world.

During the ceremony, the president officially declared energy independence in that territory, the first of a program that foresees the national transformation in that sector….

“All this –highlighted the Cuban president– is linked to an intensive research program on the use of wind and solar power across the country”.
As part of the country’s saving policy, Fidel announced that as of May 1st, 2006, 100 percent of Cuban households consuming liquefied gas will stop using it to cook, following the introduction of highly efficient electric appliances….

More: http://www.cubasi.com/DesktopDefault.aspx?SPK=160&CLK=107895&LK=2&CK=56373&SPKA=35

Here’s more information about alternative energy development projects in Cuba:

A couple of weeks ago I videotaped a renewable energy teach-in at Humboldt State University in Northern California for public access television, it was appropriate subject matter for Californians facing an energy crisis. Our teacher that evening was Mr. Bruno Henriquez, a Cuban physicist who works with approximately 400 other scientists for CubaSolar, a Cuban NGO that recently received a United Nations grant for a pilot study on expanding electricity production. Cuba has educated 35,000 scientists who research and develop alternative technologies at more than 200 scientific institutes. Mr. Henriquez is also an editor for Cuba's most popular magazine, "Energy and You." I had dinner with him after the meeting.

CubaSolar has installed solar panels on more than 300 family doctor clinics in the island nation's remote mountainous regions. Many rural schools are electrified with solar power and one village, Magdalena, is entirely powered by solar energy. In the last ten years, Cuba has emerged as an innovator in Latin America in developing alternative energy programs and is rapidly becoming a world leader in solar energy research and development. Most of its mountainous areas lie beyond the easy reach of power lines but now 98% of the island has access to electricity.

More: http://www.swans.com/library/art7/mws005.html

 

[alexandra]

Effects of US-led blockade on Cuban people

Is there an embargo with any other country aside from the US?
I'm not here to argue US policies that I likely wouldn't agree with myself. The points I have been making so far are in regards to the oppression of the people in Cuba. I haven't touched on their economics and how well off these people are economically at all. If you want to say that Cuba only violates human rights because of the US then I don't think there is much point in carry on this discussion.

I imagine you would not agree with some/many(?) of the US policies I have found in my research. I want to focus on the economic, daily hardship faced by ordinary Cuban citizens as a result of the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the US on Cuba. The 66-page PDF document, Report by Cuba on Resolution 59/11
of the United Nations General Assembly: The necessity of ending the
economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United
States of America against Cuba http://www.granma.cu/bloqueo/infome-ingles.pdf outlines in detail how the US government forces other countries to follow its agenda re-Cuba as well. Here are some excerpts:

How:

…the US Federal Reserve imposed a
fine of 100 million dollars in May 2004 on the Swiss Bank, UBS AG,
for having supposedly violated the US sanctions on Cuba, Libya,
Iran and Yugoslavia. The purpose of this was to prevent the deposit,
exchange into other currencies or transfers through banks in third
countries of the dollars that Cuba obtains legitimately by way of
tourism, remittances and sales in shopping centres, with the aim of
preventing Cuban importations, mainly of food, medicine and fuel,
thus promoting a collapse in the economy and an extremely critical
social situation [pp.6-7]

30 September 2004, the US Treasury Department let it be known
that, following the recent changes to the Regulation for Control of
Cuban Assets, 31, CFR part 515 (the Regulations), US citizens or
permanent residents cannot legally buy products of Cuban origin,
including tobacco and alcohol in a third country not even for their
personal use abroad. The penalty for violating these Regulation can
be a fine of as high as one million dollars for corporations and of
US$250,000 and up to 10 years in jail for individuals. Fines of up to
65 thousand dollars can be imposed by the Office of Foreign Assets
Control (OFAC) of the US Treasury Department [p.7]

22 February 2005, the OFAC reinterpreted the concept of ‘payment
in cash and in advance’ to purchases by Cuba of agricultural and
medical products in the United States, saying that this means that
this means that the payment must be made before the merchandise
is loaded in a US port for shipping to Cuba. This measure, which
represents an extra obstacle for the limited importations of food,
came into effect 24 March 2005. The lack of security in the supplies,
derived from this interpretation, forced Cuba, in the first four
months, to purchase use alternative food suppliers from third
countries in order to ensure the purchase of 3 million dollars worth
of food and agricultural products that were originally going to be
imported from the United States. The transactions fell by 26%
between January and April of 2005 compared to the same period in
2004, according to statistics issued by the US Department of
Agriculture. This contraction includes a decrease of 52% in the
purchases of rice. [p.8]

Subsidiaries of American companies based in third countries are
forbidden from carry out any kind of transaction with Cuban
companies, or acquire goods that have been made using any
Cuban product.

Companies from third countries are forbidden from exporting any
product to the United States if it contains Cuban raw material.

Companies from third countries are forbidden from selling goods or
services to Cuba which use US technology or which are made using
products from this country which exceeds 10% of their value, even
when the proprietors of these products are from third countries.

Ships that have transported merchandise to or from Cuba are
prohibited from entering US ports.

Banks in third countries are prohibited from opening accounts in US
dollars to Cuban juridical or natural persons or to anyone who carry
out any financial transaction in this currency with Cuban entities or
individuals, and if they do the accounts shall be confiscated.

Businessmen from third countries are prohibited from making
investments or during business in Cuba, under the supposition that
these transactions are related to properties subject to retrieval by
the United States. The businessmen who do not honor this ban will
be the target of sanctions and reprisals. [pp. 14-15]

Examples of the impact of the extraterritorial application of the
blockade
In August 2004, as part of a social programme aimed at providing
soy yogurt to all Cuban children aged 7 to 13, Cuba purchased
equipment from the Brazilian company MEBRAFE in order to
modernize all of the UNION LACTEA’s refrigeration facilities. The
equipment purchased included 14 Danish SABROE refrigeration
compressors, which cost Cuba $ 339,389, a price already 40 %
higher than that which could have been paid buying these
compressors in the US market. Denmark’s SABROE was bought
over by the American company York and York’s distributor in Brazil
received instructions from the US head office to prohibit the sale of
compressors to Cuba [p.26].

Since 2004 to date, the government of the United States has
forbidden the European laboratory Intervet Holanda from selling
Cuba vaccines for avian diseases, claiming these contain 10 % or
more antigens produced in the United States. This prohibition
includes the Marek vaccine, designed for a specific type of avian
disease and a vaccine for other diseases such as Gumboro, New
Castle, bronchitis and Reovirus. Cuba is forced to purchase these
vaccines through third countries, paying more than what it did when
it purchased them from the WINCO firm — $ 9.50 (as opposed to $7) for every unit of the Marek vaccine and $ 150 (as opposed to $
68) for every unit of the quadruple vaccine. By undertaking
measures to reduce the number of birds in Cuba, the United States
hopes to undermine an important source of food products for the
Cuban people [p.27].

With respect to cancer treatment, Cuba has been unable to
purchase spare pieces and radioactive sources for two
automatic deferred charge units used to treat gynaecological
tumours (brachitherapy units), purchased from the Canadian
company MSD NORDION, as the latter sold the trademark to
the American firm VARIAN. As a result of this, 120 patients
were unable to receive this kind of treatment (the best option
available) until these units were replaced with others of
European make [p.28].

2.1 Overview of the impact of the blockade on some of the most vital
social sectors

The blockade has brought the Cuban people untold sorrows. Highly
vulnerable sectors upon which any country’s wellbeing depends, such as
food, health, education, transportation and housing, have been some of the main targets of this genocidal policy [p.37]

More: http://www.granma.cu/bloqueo/infome-ingles.pdf

The report stresses that many US citizens and groups are against US government policy, so please don't anybody take this as a 'personal attack' - I am not 'bashing' US citizens!

 

[Homer Simpson]

In a little more than 24 hours I will have left my Canadian igloo and be sipping on 'cuba libres' and perhaps having a smoke in good ol Cuba. In about 26 hours I will probably be running around with my pants down thinking its the most clever thing I've ever done.

Thats all I know about Cuba.

 

[alexandra]

Are you going to Cuba, Homer? Enjoy! I've been reading lots of travellers' accounts - many of them seem to get 'hooked' and keep returning to Cuba time and time again.

Here's a Canadian website I found with some useful-looking information about travel in Cuba: http://www.cubafriends.ca/

 

[Homer Simpson]

Thanks alexandra! This will be my first visit, I'm looking forward to it for sure.