English Translations of Cubans Writing From the Island
By Lic. Wilfredo Vallín Almeida Three youths were arrested violently, forced into a police car, and taken to a national police station where they were held for about 24 hours under interrogation by the State Security. The reason: Handing out leaflets for the Citizen Demand for Another Cuba which, weeks before, had been delivered by … Continue reading “Crossroads / Cuban Law Association, Wilfredo Vallin Almeida”
By Wilfredo Vallín Almeida As we have seen, there seems to be a new offense under the Penal Code and the Criminal Procedure Act (LPP), a “crime” that seems interesting to analyze with regards to what it might mean to the future. And I begin this analysis with what — over so many years — … Continue reading “The U.N. Covenants on Human Rights: A New Crime In Cuba? / Cuban Law Association, Wilfredo Vallin Almeida”
Oswaldo Payá has died and, despite his death, his enemies don’t hesitate to throw dirt on his corpse and present him as a reprobate. Whether his death is the result of an accident or of a machination, it’s clear for those of us who knew him, the class of person he was, and that up … Continue reading “Alea jacta est — The die is cast / Cuban Law Association, Wilfredo Vallin Almeida”
For a moment I thought it would pass without incident, that the funeral procession would arrive without mishap to the Columbus Cemetery and the remains of the winner of the Sakharov Prize for Human Rights, Oswaldo Paya Sardinas, would be laid to rest in peace. From my place in the long line of vehicles, perhaps … Continue reading “In Truth / Cuban Law Association, Wilfredo Vallin Almeida”
by Wilfredo Vallín Almeida He had a look of concern on his face as he spoke to me. He was a neighbor who came to warn me. According to his account someone from the police, who identified himself as Agent Brayan from the Department of Technical Investigations (DTI), had been to his house to ask … Continue reading “A Message for Brayan / Cuban Law Association, Wilfredo Vallín Almeida”
By Wilfredo Vallín Almeida In the Cuban Penal Code, in Title 1, Preliminary Disposisions, Article 1.1, we read: This Code has as its objectives: – to protect society, persons, the social, economic and political order and the State system; – to safeguard the property recognized in the Constitutions and its laws; – to promote the … Continue reading “The Preliminary Provisions: A Bad Beginning / Cuban Law Association, Wilfredo Vallín Almeida”
It is interesting to read abut the lives and ideas of the of the philosophers from Antiquity to our own time. They are deep thinkers who, from their perspective and personal appreciation, try to to give us an interpretation of what the universe is and respond to the great questions of all times: Who are … Continue reading “Entelechy: The Exercise of Self-Knowledge / Cuban Law Association, Wilfredo Vallín Almeida”
Soon, a new population and housing census will take place that shall show how many of us there are and the current living situation in our country. Among the many and ever more acute problems, that of housing is one of the most difficult given all that it implies for the family and individuals. Extended … Continue reading “Extractions / Cuban Law Association, Wilfredo Vallín Almeida”
By Wilfredo Vallín Almeida One fine day the decision was made to sell cell phones to ordinary, everyday Cubans. To many of us, who had never been “authorized” to have a landline in our house, they are now selling phones … cellulars. But, like so many other things that are hard to understand in this … Continue reading “Absurdities / Cuban Law Association, Wilfredo Vallín Almeida”
By Wilfredo Vallín Almeida There is a word that when you hear it, it’s difficult not to evoke the barbarity of the Inquisition that forced a 20th century Pope to apologize to humanity for actions so inappropriate for the Church of Christ. Faced with the subject it’s common for names such as Dachau, Treblinka, Auschwitz, … Continue reading “That is the question / Cuban Law Association, Wilfredo Vallín Almeida”
By Wilfredo Vallín Almeida “A ghost is traveling around Europe: it is the ghost of Communism” said Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in their famous Manifesto. Over a century later, when he was Foreign Relations Minister and the one who best interpreted the thoughts of the Commander in Chief (Fidel Castro), a photo of Felipe … Continue reading “The Ghost of the Treaties / Cuban Law Association, Wilfredo Vallín Almeida”
By Wilfredo Vallin Almeida The multifamily building lies in ruins. A mountain of rubble rises now in its place occupying a part of Monte, a very central street of Havana. Passers-by run, there is noise from sirens of patrol cars and firefighter equipment since there are most probably dead and injured. Within the drama all … Continue reading “Omen / Cuban Law Association, Wilfredo Vallín Almeida”
“A specter is haunting Europe: it is the specter of communism,” said Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in the Communist Manifesto. Over a century later, when he was the Foreign Minister and the best interpreter of the thinking of the Comandante en Jefe, Felipe Perez Roque appeared in photo in the newspaper Juventud Rebelde (Rebel … Continue reading “The Specter of the Covenants / Cuban Law Association, Wilfredo Vallin Almeida”
A journalist from abroad asked me about the content and the implementation of something known in Law as Right of Appeal, which in Cuba turns out to be problematic. In our case, the first problem is that our multi-awarded compatriot Yoani Sanchez brought this action against the Minister of Interior, General Abelardo Colome Ibarra. The … Continue reading “When the Law is Respected / Wilfredo Vallin Almeida”
It has never been a good practice to carbon copy what has been done in other countries, particularly in the political, economic and social areas, to apply it in one’s own reality. It has been said time and time again that every people, with its own reality, idiosyncrasies and history, is unique unto itself and … Continue reading “The Reforms That Suit Our Body Politic / Wilfredo Vallin Almeida”