English Translations of Cubans Writing From the Island
What a sad life if you don’t see! don’t see the guitar don’t see the woman don’t see the sparrow flying away when it’s about to rain nor the little lizard on the wall. Song, poetry byN. Guilln I went from the internet straight to the police station known as the “eagle’s nest”. Earlier, some … Continue reading “I don’t know why you think … / Dora Leonor Mesa #Cuba”
Lic. Edilio Javier Hernández H. There is a group of professionals in our society called to play an important role in the restoration of harmony between the people and the government, in the context of a Rule of Law which is seriously damaged, cracked and corrupt. We differentiate ourselves from the professionals of the health … Continue reading “Professionals / E. Javier Hernandez H. #Cuba”
Last August, the Cuban Council of Ministers approved a new General Regulation for the Basic Units of Cooperative Production (UBPC), which was complemented by a packet consisting of 17 measures. The purpose, according to the daily Rebel Youth on September 23, consists of liquidating the dependency of those with respect to state enterprises. The original … Continue reading “Why the UBPC Cooperatives Failed / Dimas Castellano #Cuba”
I originally published the article that follows on the website Penúltimos Días last November 26th. Since there are several and conflicting opinions about the post, I will submit it to the regular readers of this blog for their consideration. I just want to make a preliminary clarification: what some may consider inadequate demands of the … Continue reading “A Comment and a Controversial Article / Miriam Celaya #Cuba”
The reasons behind the position held by the European Union (EU) concerning human rights in Cuba have not changed in the last 16 years. The Cuban Government has not recognized the fundamental rights of Cubans. With the imminent and necessary revision of the current Common Position and the possibility of future pacts with the Cuban … Continue reading “Declaration from the Christian Liberation Movement Regarding the European Union’s Common Position / Rosa Maria Paya Acevedo #Cuba #MCL”
URGENT ACTION CUBAN MAN TARGETED FOR GOVERNMENT CRITICISM Government critic Antonio Rodiles has been charged with “resisting authority”. It is believed the charges may be used to punish and prevent his peaceful criticism of Cuban government policies. A coordinator of a civil society initiative calling on the government to ratify international human rights treaties, Antonio … Continue reading “Amnesty International Calls for the Release of Antonio Rodiles — Letter Campaign, YOU CAN HELP RIGHT NOW”
Since yesterday, November 7, 2012, there have been numerous arbitrary arrests, which continue to today. The number arrested at this time is impossible to determine because, as on previous occasions, the mobile and fixed phones of those involved have been interrupted and cut off. Among the arrested are Antonio Rodiles and Yoani Sanchez. The trigger … Continue reading “Declaration No. 1 of Thursday November 8, 2012, About the Arbitrary Arrests Happening in the Last Hours / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo”
Some dissidents believe the best place for the current constitution is a waste basket. Laura Diversent, an independent attorney, is more circumspect. “Certainly, today’s constitution has innumerable shortcomings. I don’t believe it would be adequate in a democratic Cuba. But in the early stages, as part of a serious and profound process of reform, the … Continue reading “Cuba Needs a Constitution That Serves Everyone / Ivan Garcia”
In his book The Social Contract–one of the most influential works of political theory of the 18th century–the French writer, Jean Jacques Rousseau, proposed the following theory: The union of persons to protect their well-being emanates from a general will that transforms the parties to the contract into a collective political body. The exercise of … Continue reading “Elections and Citizen Sovereignty / Dimas Castellano”
The case of Angel Carromero Barrios rapidly lost relevance because of the “atmospheric pressure” of the State. Like a tropical meteorological event, its great intensity dissipated in the mediating and officializing Cuban waters. Many know that in Cuba the State is the owner, the editorialist, journalist, reporter, photographer, and censor of all daily newspapers and … Continue reading “Tempering News, Absorbing Shocks / Rosa Maria Rodriguez Torrado”
We are on the eve of new elections in Cuba. And I am reminded that the first law issued in Sierra Maestra during the anti-Batista insurrection before the elections scheduled in 1958, was a death penalty law. It was designed to punish with death those who took part in the elections. It also punished those … Continue reading “There are no free elections without free people, free citizens, free men and free women / Oswaldo Paya”
Lourdes Esquivel, Lady in White, was also detained in the jails of the Santiago Station of Vegas last October 14. When she left her house, 20 men — at least those whom she could count — threw themselves on her and told her: “There is no mass; jail.” She was conducted to the aforementioned Police Station … Continue reading “Socialist Legality / Lilianne Ruiz”
Of short stature, with blue eyes and a firm voice, Laura Pollán was for years one of the most visible faces in Cuba of the Ladies in White. A teacher by profession and a civic activist by choice, she participated in the creation and strengthening of the most important dissident group on the island today. This … Continue reading “First Anniversary of the Death of Laura Pollán / Yoani Sanchez”
Site manager: Many inquiries have been received by this site expressing great concern for what might be happening to Yoani, who was arrested in Bayamo on her way to cover the trial of Angel Carromero who was driving the car in which Oswaldo Paya and Harold Cepero died. Below are audio recordings of Yoani being … Continue reading “For Those Who Are Worried About Yoani Sanchez, Under Arrest in Bayamo…”
Open letter from the General Surgery Department of the “Calixto Garcia” Hospital to the First Secretary of the Cuban Communist Party and President of the Councils of State and Ministers, Army General Raul Castro Ruz To be good is the only way to be happy. To be cultured is the only way to be free. … Continue reading “Cuba Surgeons Write to Raul Castro About Disastrous Health Care System”
