English Translations of Cubans Writing From the Island
Ángel Santiesteban-Prats, 17 May 2015 — Any good Cuban should visit the tomb of Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas, one of the greatest defenders of liberty and justice in the history of Cuba. His name is inscribed, in its own right, in the pantheon of Cuban heroes. I even heard the national intellectuals mention his name with respect, … Continue reading “Homage to Oswaldo Paya / Angel Santiesteban”
The repression against the Ladies in White, opposition activists and human rights defenders in Cuba, that we have seen during the last couple of weeks is alarming. The increase of violence from the authorities has come as a result from the exercise of the right to public protests and from the public exposure of the … Continue reading “Alarming Repression Against the Ladies in White in Cuba / Forum for Rights and Freedoms”
14ymedio, Antonio G. Rodiles, Havana, 6 February 2015 – My article published this Wednesday on the site Diario de Cuba has provoked a criticism from blogger Miriam Celaya that motivates me to touch on various points I consider important. In order to mainly refer to the political themes, I will avoid personal attacks; yet without failing … Continue reading “Notes About a Polemic / 14ymedio, Antonio Rodiles”
14ymedio, Reinaldo Escobar, 23 January 2015 – The possibility that some day the dispute between Cuba and the United States would ever be solved, the discussion about how to accomplish it having been successively postponed, seemed so remote. If we were to identify in a simple form the background of the disagreement between both contenders, … Continue reading “The New Scenario / 14ymedio, Reinaldo Escobar”
14ymedio, Reinaldo Escobar, Havana, 10 December 2014* — Coinciding with the observance of International Human Rights Day today, we spoke with Elizardo Sánchez, spokesman for the Cuban Commission for Human Rights and National Reconciliation (CCDHRN) in Havana to review the current situation on the Island. Q: Today the whole world commemorates Human Rights Day. What is the situation in … Continue reading “Cuba is the Black Sheep of Human Rights / 14ymedio, Reinaldo Escobar & Elizardo Sanchez”
They are difficult to count, not to mention uncountable, the projects carried out in order to find alternative solutions to Cuba’s problems. When I say “alternatives” I’m obviously referring to a broad set of programs, documents, statements not coming from governmental institutions, but from that disjointed amalgamation of opposition parties and civil society entities, both within … Continue reading “Four Cardinal Points / Reinaldo Escobar”
Lifting or easing the embargo will strengthen the Castros’ power. No economic benefit justifies the absence of democracy. Lifting the embargo would allow the Cuban government to apply for credit at US banks, and would make it legal for US citizens to visit Cuba as tourists. HAVANA, Cuba- In the last week, various opinions have circulating … Continue reading “The Embargo and Absolute Power / Miriam Celaya”
State violence has been the Cuban regime’s principle recourse for maintaining power for over 55 years. Beginning with the insurrection against Fulgencio Batista, executions, as a method of punishment, were used relentlessly. Anyone who wanted to show their loyalty had to deliver the coup de grace and take part in executions. A mix of the … Continue reading “Between the “Collectives” and the “Rapid Response Brigades” / Antonio G. Rodiles”
If we calculate the victims and the economic losses caused by the creation of guerrillas in the world, starting with the coming to power of Fidel Castro, particularly in Latin American, how many deaths would they be guilty of over the more than half century that some conflicts have endured like the one in Columbia, … Continue reading “The Dictatorship, Mathematically Speaking / Angel Santiesteban”
REFORMS IN CUBA! The Cuban government SAYS NO to the United Nations to: Freedom of Expression Free Access to the Internet Freedom of action for independent journalists, defenders of human rights, and political opponents. Independent investigation of the deaths of Oswaldo Payá and Harold Cepero Legal guarantees for defenders of human rights. Release of all … Continue reading “Reforms in Cuba / Rolando Pulido”
Cuban prosecutors have requested long prison sentences for Lady in White Sonia Garro Alfonso, her husband the activist Ramón Alejandro Muñoz González and the also dissident Eugenio Hernández Hernández, according to the independent Center for Information Hablemos Press. According to statements by Muñoz González from Havana’s prison Combinado del Este where he is being held, … Continue reading “The Prosecution Requests Long Sentences for Sonia Garro, her husband Ramon Alejandro Munoz, and Eugenio Hernández / Diario de Cuba”
A representation of the Ladies in White movement, Human Rights defenders and a group of activists from the Cuban Independent and Democratic Party (CID), said goodbye on Sunday afternoon, April 21, to the Ladies in White Laura María Labrada Pollán and Belkis Castillo at Jose Marti Airport in Havana. About 30 people attended the farewell … Continue reading “Goodbye to Ladies in White at Jose Marti Airport in Havana / CID”
The professor enters the classroom and reads the blackboard. Who wrote this? I raise my hand and she looks at me with a certain threat while she thinks. The entire lecture hall of journalism, second year, expectant. On the blackboard, with chalk and my handwriting “Do you know who is the Cuban nominated for the … Continue reading “Two Trips to Give Thanks / Henry Constantin”
Five years after Cuba’s representative signed the United Nations Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the situation with regards to fundamental rights in Cuba remains precarious. The violation of fundamental rights is not only a part of the repressive apparatus of the State, but our national legislation itself … Continue reading “The United Nations Covenants, Five Years Later / For Another Cuba, Estado de SATS”
Amir, listen, I was remembering a lot of intellectuals we respected and loved who on many occasions went to my house to talk about the interviews you were doing with me because they claimed that you were going to betray me when State Security attacked me. Today I arrived at the conclusion — once again … Continue reading “Blessed are Those Who Have Friends / Angel Santiesteban”
