English Translations of Cubans Writing From the Island
Note: See links at end of post for numerous photos and videos of the day. 14ymedio, Luz Escobar and Mario J. Pentón, Havana, 11 May 2019 — State Security agents clashed with activists of the LGBTI community and sympathizers of this group who went to Havana’s Central Park on Saturday to demonstrate in favor of … Continue reading “Cuban State Security Represses the Independent LGBTI March in Havana”
14ymedio, Reinaldo Escobar, Havana, 22 February 2019 — As a sociological research tool, surveys have enormous utility in testing the state of opinion of the population in relation to different issues. The credibility of a survey depends on several factors, including the selection of the sample, the veracity of the respondents and, of course, the … Continue reading “The Cuban Government’s Surveys Are a State Secret”
The author, who writes under a pseudonym, directs her letter to the opposition and to international bodies. 14ymedio, Guamacaro Canada, February 13, 2019 — An open letter from a common Cuban citizen, to all the member groups of the opposition, inside and outside of Cuba, as well as all the international bodies that maintain diplomatic relations … Continue reading “The Indignation of a Cuban Who Will Not be Able to Vote on February 24”
14ymedio, Havana, 8 February 2019 — On Wednesday, the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights (OCDH), based in Madrid, asked Cubans living on the island who also have Spanish citizenship to vote No in the constitutional referendum on 24 February. “I invite you not only to admire your Spanish passport, but also — as a Cuban — … Continue reading “OCDH Invites Cubans With Spanish Citizenship to Say No to the New Constitution”
14ymedio, Reinaldo Escobar, January 23, 2019 — Separate from the heated debates between the supporters of YES, NO, and abstention in the February 24 referendum, a group of activists is preparing to watch over the process so that the norms are followed. The Cuban Association of Electoral Observers (ACOE) tells 14ymedio that so far 400 … Continue reading “The ‘Every Voter An Observer’ Campaign Invites Citizens To Exercise Their Rights”
14ymedio, Havana, 22 December 2018 — Several opposition parties, civil society groups and human rights organizations, totaling nineteen independent Cuban organizations, describe the revised Constitution as “undemocratic” in a statement published this Saturday. The signatories add that they have united to promote a “No” vote in the constitutional referendum. “Compatriots: we ask you to vote NO in … Continue reading “Nineteen Independent Cuban Organizations Campaign for a "No" Vote on the Constitution”
14ymedio, Havana, 3 December 2018 — The Cuban Commission for Human Rights and National Reconciliation (CCDHRN) reported that there were “at least 247 arbitrary arrests of peaceful opponents for purely political reasons” in November, according to its latest report released Monday. The independent organization suggests that the figure may be higher due to “the opacity with which … Continue reading “Arrests of Cuban Activists "Notoriously Greater" in November”
14ymedio, Havana, 12 November 2018 — The Madrid-based Cuban Observatory for Human Rights (OCDH) has released a letter, signed by over twenty intellectuals, politicians and activists, which denounces the country’s constitutional reform process for not addressing “either democratic principles or the political and social plurality of Cuban society,” noting that it has been drafted “solely by … Continue reading “Intellectuals, Politicians and Activists Denounce Cuban Constitutional Reform Process”
14ymedio, Havana, 3 April 2018 — During the month of March in Cuba, there were 319 arbitrary arrests against activists, a figure “slightly lower than the one recorded” in February, which was 347, according to the Cuban Commission for Human Rights and National Reconciliation (CCDHRN). The Cuban Observatory of Human Rights (OCDH), on the other hand, reported … Continue reading “Report Denounces Nine Physical Attacks by Cuban Secret Police in March”
14ymedio, Madrid, 22 January 2018 — Germán M. González, author of The Current Situation Of The Farmer In Cuba, Usufruct And The Social Security Of The Small Farmer, is the winner of the First Economic Rights Contest in Cuba convened by the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights. In the article, González details the failed agrarian policy carried out on … Continue reading “Article on the Situation of Farms in Cuba Wins First Economic Rights Contest”
14ymedio, Havana, 4 December 2017 — In November, the Cuban authorities carried out 302 temporary arbitrary detentions, a figure that according to the Cuban Commission for Human Rights and National Reconciliation (CCDHRN) is the second lowest since the beginning of 2017. The organization attributes this decrease to the fact that, during the past municipal elections, the … Continue reading “Cuban Government Focused Repression Against Independent Candidates”
14ymedio, Havana, 3 July 2014 — Last June, there were 198 fewer arbitrary arrests of Cuban activists and opponents compared to the same month last year, according to a report by the Cuban Commission on Human Rights and National Reconciliation, which recorded a total of 380 arrests in June 2017. The number, however, is slightly … Continue reading “Cuban Government Turns To New Forms Of Repression”
14ymedio, Havana, 8 May 2017 – The number of political prisoners has doubled this year, according to the most recent report from the Cuban Commission on Human Rights and National Reconciliation (CCDHRN), which counts 140 people charged for these reasons in April, compared to 70 for the same months in 2016. The organization’s monthly accounting … Continue reading “Number of Political Prisoners Doubles In Last Year, According To Human Rights Group”
Guillermo Fariñas, UNPACU Activist: “With this [hunger strike] I am giving the Castro regime leaders to decide if they want to assassinate me publicly.” Eliécer Ávila, President of Somos+ (We Are More): “I don’t see how the death of leaders who should motivate people and push changes can be helpful.” 14ymedio, 10 August 2016 – … Continue reading “Do Hunger Strikes Work as a Strategy to Pressure the Cuban Government? / 14ymedio”
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”
