US Congressional delegation meets with Cuban activists and independent journalists /14ymedio

14ymedio, Havana, 19 January 2015 — On Sunday afternoon a dozen activists and representatives of Cuban civil society met with the American congressional delegation visiting Cuba. Chaired by Senator Patrick Leahy, the group was able hear diverse opinions in response to the announcement of the reestablishment of relations between the two countries. A member of the … Continue reading “US Congressional delegation meets with Cuban activists and independent journalists /14ymedio”

Political repression increases in Cuba during the month of December, according to CCHRNC / 14ymedio

14ymedio, Havana, 5 January 2015 — According to its monthly report, during the month of December the Cuban Commission for Human Rights and reconciliation (CCDHRN) registered at least 489 arbitrary arrests for political reasons, closing out 2014 with at least 8,899 arrests for the year.

Hundreds of Artists Address a Letter to Raul Castro To Seek the Release of Tania Bruguera / 14ymedio

14YMEDIO, 2 January 2014 – As of right now, almost 300 artists have signed an open letter to President Raul Castro to petition for the release of Tania Bruguera and the other activists arrested after the performance organized by the artist last Tuesday, December 30. The initiative comes from Cuauhtemoc Medina (curator and critic of … Continue reading “Hundreds of Artists Address a Letter to Raul Castro To Seek the Release of Tania Bruguera / 14ymedio”

Sunday Respite for the Ladies in White / 14ymedio

14ymedio, 22 December 2014 – The Ladies in White marched for the freedom of political prisoners as they left mass this Sunday, an activity held every week and one which had special significance on this occasion because it was the first time since the announcement of reestablishment of relations with the United States. In Havana … Continue reading “Sunday Respite for the Ladies in White / 14ymedio”

“We hope the government will announce the names of the prisoners benefiting in the coming hours” / 14ymedio, Elizardo Sanchez, Reinaldo Escobar

14ymedio, Reinaldo Escobar, Havana, 18 December 2014 – The spokesperson for the Commission on Human Rights and National Reconciliation, Elizardo Sánchez, shares with the readers of 14ymedio his reflections on the rapprochement between Havana and Washington announced this Wednesday, after more than five decades of rupture. Escobar: Does the National Commission for Human Rights and … Continue reading ““We hope the government will announce the names of the prisoners benefiting in the coming hours” / 14ymedio, Elizardo Sanchez, Reinaldo Escobar”

Declaration of Cuban Civil Society Activists Joining Forces in Madrid

Madrid, February 26, 2014 For recognition of the legitimacy of Cuba’s independent civil society We, activists of independent civil society, have agreed to promote a representative group to act as a channel of dialogue with international institutions and other potential partners. Since the ratification of our commitment to peaceful methods to achieve the Rule of … Continue reading “Declaration of Cuban Civil Society Activists Joining Forces in Madrid”

Costa Rica Meets with the Cuban Commission on Human Rights

The Cuban Commission on Human Rights and National Reconciliation (CCDHRN) reported that this Wednesday, 29 January, late in the morning, they met with Costa Rican diplomats, one of whom was a part of that country’s official delegation to the Second Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC). The meeting took place … Continue reading “Costa Rica Meets with the Cuban Commission on Human Rights”

No One Wants to Talk About CELAC / Lilianne Ruiz

HAVANA, Cuba — The morning of the 28th, there were fewer people on the street than any other Tuesday.  Also it was notable that the flow of cars on a street as central as 23rd, in El Vedado, had diminished. Who can find out what is in the heart of the Cuban people, subjected to … Continue reading “No One Wants to Talk About CELAC / Lilianne Ruiz”

Ladies in White Want a Meeting with Insulza During the CELAC Summit

Diario de Cuba, 23 January 2014 — The Ladies in White will seek a meeting with Jose Miguel Insulza, secretary general of the Organization of American States (OAS), during the CELAC Summit in Havana, according to what their leader, Berta Soler, told the AFP press agency this Wednesday. “We will request a meeting with Insulza, … Continue reading “Ladies in White Want a Meeting with Insulza During the CELAC Summit”

Independent Journalist: A Difficult Job / Lilianne Ruiz, Reinaldo Escobar

HAVANA, Cuba – As of 1959, Cubans renounced the custom of publicly expressing their opinions, particularly political ones, as if the question of who and how they are governed was not something that affects all of society. The legally recognized press became a government artifact, responsible for giving shape to the collective conscience; to guarantee, … Continue reading “Independent Journalist: A Difficult Job / Lilianne Ruiz, Reinaldo Escobar”

Attorneys in Service to Castroism / Ernesto Garcia Diaz

Havana, Cuba, November, www.cubanet.org — Last November 21 the “2013 International Advocacy Congress” concluded in Havana.  The event was sponsored by the National Organization of Collective Law Firms of Cuba (ONBC). At its opening, Homero Acosta, secretary of the State Counsel, was present, and doctors Joao Maria Moureira de Sousa and Hermenegildo Cachimbombo, Attorney General … Continue reading “Attorneys in Service to Castroism / Ernesto Garcia Diaz”

Paramilitary Units and Organized Mobs Lay Siege to Meeting of Cuban Dissidents in San Juan y Martinez / Leon Padron Azcuy

HAVANA, Cuba, November 11, 2013, León Padrón Azcuy/ www.cubanet.org.- The home of opposition activist Sandra Ace Rramos in the town of San Juan y Maritnez was the scene this Saturday morning of a seige by pro-government “Rapid Response Brigades” and paramilitary forces, organized by provincial State Security officials in Pinar del Rio Province. The government-organized … Continue reading “Paramilitary Units and Organized Mobs Lay Siege to Meeting of Cuban Dissidents in San Juan y Martinez / Leon Padron Azcuy”

First Report of the Advisory Group / Cuban Civil Society Advisory Group

A brief summary of topics that describe the situation of Cuba in late 2013 could be summed up in two words: reform and repression. The reforms have been directed mostly in the right direction, but in a superficial way and excessively slowly. In addition to trying to alleviate an economic situation caused by years of … Continue reading “First Report of the Advisory Group / Cuban Civil Society Advisory Group”

Humberto Real Suarez: 16 Years Old, Condemned to Death / Lilianne Ruiz

Havana, Cuba, October 2013, www.cubanet.org – Humberto Real Suarez is another of the men who disembarked on the night of 15 October 1994 on the coasts of Caibarien, along with Armado Sosa Fortuny. Today he is serving a sentence of 30 years imprisonment in “Kilo 8” maximum security prison in Camagüey. The group of seven men, … Continue reading “Humberto Real Suarez: 16 Years Old, Condemned to Death / Lilianne Ruiz”

Interview with Rosa Maria Paya / Lilianne Ruiz, Rosa Maria Paya

By Lilianne Ruíz HAVANA, Cuba, May, www.cubanet.org.- Rosa María Payá, daughter of the late leader of the Christian Liberation Movement, returned to Cuba after finishing a tour with the main objective of promoting an international investigation to clarify the circumstances that led to the tragedy on July 22, 2012 that killed Oswaldo Paya and Harold Cepero. … Continue reading “Interview with Rosa Maria Paya / Lilianne Ruiz, Rosa Maria Paya”