Cuban elections are coming up soon, and with them comes much debate on the degree of democracy available in that country. Many people defend the elections in Cuba as democratic, often citing that they are more democratic than the United States. Usually when I’m discussing Cuba with people that defend the system, my opinion that the elections are not free is often countered with the question on what I think the value of my vote in Canada is. As I’ve mentioned many times, there always seems to be a need to talk about the flaws of our system to defend, or at least debate the system in Cuba. Most certainly there are many flaws in the Canadian system, and even more in the United States. However, I think when criticizing a particular system a good idea is to isolate it and do an analysis.
When I attended a presentation about the Che Brigades, a summer program for foreign volunteers to work and attend functions in Cuba, I noticed in the agenda in the brochure that there was a lecture a few hours long to explain democracy in Cuba. It’s complicated, I suppose. I hear frequent arguments about how people are elected at the grass-roots level, and ultimately Castro is elected by an elected electorate etc etc. However, Cuba is not democratic no matter how it is explained. The following are some simple, rational questions that can be answered in most democratic systems. They have no answers when applied to Cuba
Who are the candidates in the upcoming provincial and federal elections? What are their platforms?
If a Cuban citizen is not satisfied with the way Cuba is currently being run, who are the alternatives to choose from in the upcoming election? What are their platforms?
Are there debates? Issues? What are the topics of debate? Who is the official opposition, or other candidates profiled in the media? Can I read articles about them? Can I read published criticisms of Castro?
Are there profiles of candidates on Cuban television? Are there profiles on candidates and opposition throughout all levels of media available to the common citizen?
Fidel was apparently elected in the last elections. Who did he defeat? What were the final tallies of votes? Who are the other parties and candidates that ran last time and lost? What were their issues and criticisms of Fidel?
In most democracies, even ones with flaws, these basic questions can be answered quite easily. There are and will be numerous articles in the coming month, especially from Cuba, that will try to defend the democracy there. There is talk about the high rates of voter turnout. There are explanations of how the electorate works and how “grass roots” the elections are. Yet, none of the simple questions I outlined ever gets answered. The alternatives are never discussed, the candidates are never discussed, and the current regime is never criticized. If their aren’t any openings for alternatives, whether the people vote for them or not, there isn’t democracy.
tag: last301
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Freudian Slip
A recent dispute has developed between Sweden and Cuba. Earlier in March, Sweden had crititicized Cuba over its human rights violations. Cuba has come back with some pretty strong responses. The Cuban representive at the Human Rights Council, Fernández Palacios, responded by saying:
"Cuba, unlike Sweden, does not persecute migrants or carry out ethnic cleansing that only allows those whose skin and hair colour fit with the racial patterns of former Viking conquerors to remain in the country".
Of course, Sweden's chancellor responded by saying that the Viking days are long gone. You can read BBC News version of the row here. In BBC's Spanish version of the story there is another defense from Palacios that I find very interesting:
"Palacios consideró que el ministro [Sweden] actuaba con "hipocresía" al criticar a Cuba omitiendo cualquier referencia a la situación de la base estadounidense de Guantánamo".
Palacios considers Sweden's criticism of Cuba hypocritical, since they did not also criticize American actions in Guantanamo. In other words, Palacios does in fact admit that Cuba violates human rights. Cuba is very animate about what they percieve are human rights violations in Guantanamo. Thus, to accuse Sweden of hypocracy can rightfully be construed that Palacios puts Cuba's violations of human rights in the same class of those they criticize at the American base. Perhaps a Freudian slip. Perhaps a new streak of honesty for the Cuban regime.
tag: last301
"Cuba, unlike Sweden, does not persecute migrants or carry out ethnic cleansing that only allows those whose skin and hair colour fit with the racial patterns of former Viking conquerors to remain in the country".
Of course, Sweden's chancellor responded by saying that the Viking days are long gone. You can read BBC News version of the row here. In BBC's Spanish version of the story there is another defense from Palacios that I find very interesting:
"Palacios consideró que el ministro [Sweden] actuaba con "hipocresía" al criticar a Cuba omitiendo cualquier referencia a la situación de la base estadounidense de Guantánamo".
Palacios considers Sweden's criticism of Cuba hypocritical, since they did not also criticize American actions in Guantanamo. In other words, Palacios does in fact admit that Cuba violates human rights. Cuba is very animate about what they percieve are human rights violations in Guantanamo. Thus, to accuse Sweden of hypocracy can rightfully be construed that Palacios puts Cuba's violations of human rights in the same class of those they criticize at the American base. Perhaps a Freudian slip. Perhaps a new streak of honesty for the Cuban regime.
tag: last301
Friday, November 24, 2006
Cuba attempts to "shame" Canada
Article: Cuba Joins Iran to Shame Canada at UN
By: Stephen Edwards
Published: November 24, 2006.
We were talking in class about how part of the purpose of human rights discourse was to put into words violations that are thought to be universal. Part of the use of the discourse is to work as sort of a framework to measure entities and nations, and hence be able to “shame” them into curbing perceived human rights violations.
Well, its looks like Canada is being shamed from one its Latin American friends, Cuba. According to the article, Cuba has joined Iran in shaming Canada for its treatment of aboriginals. As the author points out: “Human rights resolutions at the world body are meant to ''name-and-shame'' countries that abuse their citizens, but whether they pass, they often reveal allegiances on the international stage.”
This topic was brought up in class, as some students pointed out that countries will only pursue criticism where there can be some reciprocal benefit, as was the case of the fumbling around between the U.S. and Britain in the Arbenz debacle. Regarding the case in today's article, it is quite obvious Cuba is making a move to get closer to Iran, perhaps with the idea that there is more to gain with the “guateconería” with Iran than Canada.
I am going to take the opportunity to deflect the argument here. Though I do acknowledge there is much work to do with aboriginal rights and relations in this country, I am going to change the subject. Deflecting the argument is usually a Cuban tactic to ignore accusations of human rights abuses. For example, if a Cuban official is confronted with a question about the lack of democracy within Cuba, the subject will be changed to the flaws in the U.S. system, and dictatorships the U.S. has supported in the past. Point taken, but conveniently the question about Cuba is never answered. It never has been, and it never will. Unless, of course, Cuba does actually become a democracy.
This is an astounding, if not strange, case of hypocrisy from Cuba, given the unexpected shot at Canada - - a country that has repeatedly voted against the U.S. embargo, historically maintained strong diplomatic ties, and allowed millions of vacations (not hyperbole here) from its citizens at a time that Cuba has badly needed the tourist dollars. I feel that many Canadians have been soft with Cuba, as you may have read with one example I pointed out in October. There seems to be too much focus on the embargo, imperialism, and the “5 Heroes” case, rather than defending the rights of the ordinary Cuban in relation with their own government. I don’t have time to make an extensive list, but I’ll briefly mention some violations in Cuba that will make the hypocrisy of Cuba’s decision quite clear.
1. Cuba is not democratic. There may be some democracy at some local levels, but nationally Cuba is a dictatorship. There are no opposing parties, no opposing platforms, no alternative viewpoints objectively reported in the media. The results of the opposition performance in elections is not reported because there is no opposition.
2. Media: controlled by the state. There is virtually no criticism or freedom of expression published in the national newspapers or on television - - both of which are state controlled.
3. Cubans have little right to earn a living. All business is controlled by the state. To operate any business, you must seek approval from the government. Private salsa lessons? Illegal. Spanish tutor? Only with permission. Everything is controlled, up to washing clothes for tourists. Many people do get away with private business, since the informal economy has penetrated every segment of society. However, ultimately the government controls it, and people are under constant threat of paying fines, confiscations of property, or jail time for “offences.” There have been period crackdowns, and many people have paid a price for simply earning a very modest living by our standards. Even countries with worse human rights records than Cuba generally manage to leave people alone that can scrape out their own living.
4. Freedom of movement: Cubans need permission to enter or leave their country. There are also restrictions of movement within the country. For example, “The Ladies in White,” a group of wives that are protesting the political imprisonment of their husbands, won the Sakharov Prize in Europe for freedom of thought. The Cuban government refused them the exit visas.
5. Freedom of association: communication between Cubans and foreigners is restricted. Cubans can be arbitrarily arrested for suspicion of prostitution or a number of supposed offences connected with associating with foreigners. Cubans are often faced with harassment from the police while with tourists, for example their ID is checked and their name run through the radio. No provocation is needed other than “suspicion.” To understand the scope of this harrassment, a friend was stopped while walking with me one time. Who's my friend? He is a classically trained musician, speaks 4 languages, and his father is a composer who works with some of the many legends of Cuban music. In Cuba it does not matter. Anyone can be harrassed.
Anyways, the list could go on. These violations I’ve talked about have nothing to do with “imperialism” or Bush. This is all Cuba’s own doing. All of these rights being violated are outlined in the U.N. declaration. I want to reiterate that I think native rights are an important issue in Canada. However, I justify deflecting the argument in this case because the hypocrisy is on such a grand scale that I feel it merits no other response.
tag: last301
By: Stephen Edwards
Published: November 24, 2006.
We were talking in class about how part of the purpose of human rights discourse was to put into words violations that are thought to be universal. Part of the use of the discourse is to work as sort of a framework to measure entities and nations, and hence be able to “shame” them into curbing perceived human rights violations.
Well, its looks like Canada is being shamed from one its Latin American friends, Cuba. According to the article, Cuba has joined Iran in shaming Canada for its treatment of aboriginals. As the author points out: “Human rights resolutions at the world body are meant to ''name-and-shame'' countries that abuse their citizens, but whether they pass, they often reveal allegiances on the international stage.”
This topic was brought up in class, as some students pointed out that countries will only pursue criticism where there can be some reciprocal benefit, as was the case of the fumbling around between the U.S. and Britain in the Arbenz debacle. Regarding the case in today's article, it is quite obvious Cuba is making a move to get closer to Iran, perhaps with the idea that there is more to gain with the “guateconería” with Iran than Canada.
I am going to take the opportunity to deflect the argument here. Though I do acknowledge there is much work to do with aboriginal rights and relations in this country, I am going to change the subject. Deflecting the argument is usually a Cuban tactic to ignore accusations of human rights abuses. For example, if a Cuban official is confronted with a question about the lack of democracy within Cuba, the subject will be changed to the flaws in the U.S. system, and dictatorships the U.S. has supported in the past. Point taken, but conveniently the question about Cuba is never answered. It never has been, and it never will. Unless, of course, Cuba does actually become a democracy.
This is an astounding, if not strange, case of hypocrisy from Cuba, given the unexpected shot at Canada - - a country that has repeatedly voted against the U.S. embargo, historically maintained strong diplomatic ties, and allowed millions of vacations (not hyperbole here) from its citizens at a time that Cuba has badly needed the tourist dollars. I feel that many Canadians have been soft with Cuba, as you may have read with one example I pointed out in October. There seems to be too much focus on the embargo, imperialism, and the “5 Heroes” case, rather than defending the rights of the ordinary Cuban in relation with their own government. I don’t have time to make an extensive list, but I’ll briefly mention some violations in Cuba that will make the hypocrisy of Cuba’s decision quite clear.
1. Cuba is not democratic. There may be some democracy at some local levels, but nationally Cuba is a dictatorship. There are no opposing parties, no opposing platforms, no alternative viewpoints objectively reported in the media. The results of the opposition performance in elections is not reported because there is no opposition.
2. Media: controlled by the state. There is virtually no criticism or freedom of expression published in the national newspapers or on television - - both of which are state controlled.
3. Cubans have little right to earn a living. All business is controlled by the state. To operate any business, you must seek approval from the government. Private salsa lessons? Illegal. Spanish tutor? Only with permission. Everything is controlled, up to washing clothes for tourists. Many people do get away with private business, since the informal economy has penetrated every segment of society. However, ultimately the government controls it, and people are under constant threat of paying fines, confiscations of property, or jail time for “offences.” There have been period crackdowns, and many people have paid a price for simply earning a very modest living by our standards. Even countries with worse human rights records than Cuba generally manage to leave people alone that can scrape out their own living.
4. Freedom of movement: Cubans need permission to enter or leave their country. There are also restrictions of movement within the country. For example, “The Ladies in White,” a group of wives that are protesting the political imprisonment of their husbands, won the Sakharov Prize in Europe for freedom of thought. The Cuban government refused them the exit visas.
5. Freedom of association: communication between Cubans and foreigners is restricted. Cubans can be arbitrarily arrested for suspicion of prostitution or a number of supposed offences connected with associating with foreigners. Cubans are often faced with harassment from the police while with tourists, for example their ID is checked and their name run through the radio. No provocation is needed other than “suspicion.” To understand the scope of this harrassment, a friend was stopped while walking with me one time. Who's my friend? He is a classically trained musician, speaks 4 languages, and his father is a composer who works with some of the many legends of Cuban music. In Cuba it does not matter. Anyone can be harrassed.
Anyways, the list could go on. These violations I’ve talked about have nothing to do with “imperialism” or Bush. This is all Cuba’s own doing. All of these rights being violated are outlined in the U.N. declaration. I want to reiterate that I think native rights are an important issue in Canada. However, I justify deflecting the argument in this case because the hypocrisy is on such a grand scale that I feel it merits no other response.
tag: last301
Thursday, November 09, 2006
A Couple of Articles on Guatemala
Article: The Search for Guatemala's Dead
Posted: November 8, 2006
This article summarizes the efforts and impediments of indigenous people in Guatemala trying to recover the remains of loved ones who were victims of the civil war. It is a good summary of the projected figures of the victims of the war, along with numbers that have been recovered to date, as well as a general overview of the scope and nature of the violence. The article was written in Nebaj, which is a region that is discussed in the next class reading. What I’d like to briefly talk about is one paragraph. It points out how international help has helped the exhumation of victims:
“But thanks in part to an infusion of foreign funds, private forensic teams and grass-roots organizations dedicated to helping indigenous peoples have expanded their efforts to file claims with the state to authorize exhumations.”
We were talking in class how rights discourse can help people who were violated. This case shows that at least some impact can be made. International organizations have funded and promoted the rights of people to exhume their loved ones, a right that, as the article mentions, people have been killed trying to lobby for. Though it is not outright justice for those responsible, it can perhaps be the start of the process. The article mentions that so far only two Guatemalan officers have been convicted for crimes during the war. I think this might be the beginning of justice. The next article mentions some new cases against impunity.
Article: Guatemala: ordenan captura de militares
Published: November 7, 2006
I’m sorry that I could only find it the article in Spanish. Often BBC neglects putting some of the better Latin American articles on their English site. This article directly relates to what we were talking about in class - - how to administer justice for past crimes. Apparently Spain has asked for extradition of 4 retired military officers and 2 civilians who are accused of being involved with the Spanish embassy fire in Guatemala City in 1980. The Guatemalan justice department has complied. Rigoberta Menchú’s father was one of the victims in the blaze. Spain also asked for the extradition of ex-general Efraín Ríos Montt, but judges refused due to insufficient evidence. The article shows, again, that international influence does have an impact.
tag: last301
Posted: November 8, 2006
This article summarizes the efforts and impediments of indigenous people in Guatemala trying to recover the remains of loved ones who were victims of the civil war. It is a good summary of the projected figures of the victims of the war, along with numbers that have been recovered to date, as well as a general overview of the scope and nature of the violence. The article was written in Nebaj, which is a region that is discussed in the next class reading. What I’d like to briefly talk about is one paragraph. It points out how international help has helped the exhumation of victims:
“But thanks in part to an infusion of foreign funds, private forensic teams and grass-roots organizations dedicated to helping indigenous peoples have expanded their efforts to file claims with the state to authorize exhumations.”
We were talking in class how rights discourse can help people who were violated. This case shows that at least some impact can be made. International organizations have funded and promoted the rights of people to exhume their loved ones, a right that, as the article mentions, people have been killed trying to lobby for. Though it is not outright justice for those responsible, it can perhaps be the start of the process. The article mentions that so far only two Guatemalan officers have been convicted for crimes during the war. I think this might be the beginning of justice. The next article mentions some new cases against impunity.
Article: Guatemala: ordenan captura de militares
Published: November 7, 2006
I’m sorry that I could only find it the article in Spanish. Often BBC neglects putting some of the better Latin American articles on their English site. This article directly relates to what we were talking about in class - - how to administer justice for past crimes. Apparently Spain has asked for extradition of 4 retired military officers and 2 civilians who are accused of being involved with the Spanish embassy fire in Guatemala City in 1980. The Guatemalan justice department has complied. Rigoberta Menchú’s father was one of the victims in the blaze. Spain also asked for the extradition of ex-general Efraín Ríos Montt, but judges refused due to insufficient evidence. The article shows, again, that international influence does have an impact.
tag: last301
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Kate Moss, Cocaine and Colombia
In a Reuters article this week it was reported that Colombian vice president Franscisco Santos points to people like Kate Moss for the Colombian cocaine problem. According to him, it is people like Moss that glorify the use of cocaine. After the fact of getting busted for use, it appears that Moss has still managed to get lucrative contracts. The vice president feels that she's been let off quite easy. He also points out that, "Every gram of coke that is consumed is soaked in Colombian blood." I don't think Moss in the only user, and the article implies that the vice president wasn't trying to lay undue blame Moss, just citing her for an example of users that don't pay a price.
I think that the vice president makes a good point. The users as a whole drive the market for the drug. There is still an abundance in society, and I'll cite the example of my home town, Nanaimo, where the price per gram is roughly $45. This contradicts people like U.S. drug czar John Walters claiming the drug war is being won, and citing high street prices as success. Not so. There is still an abundance. Perhaps some regions or cities have made strides in control, but in society overall it is still flowing in.
Back to Santos' point, the problem is the demand, not necessarily the supply. This contradicts the expensive US effort of supply-side control, which isn't cost effective, or working. I'm not sure many users are acutely aware of the problems that cocaine has contributed to in regard to the country's history of violence. But I think that Santos makes a good point that people should think about the consequences for Colombia by taking the drug - - a different angle than focusing on the legality and health issues.
Source:
http://www.alertnet.org/db/blogs/1265/2006/10/3-150949-1.htm
tag: last301
I think that the vice president makes a good point. The users as a whole drive the market for the drug. There is still an abundance in society, and I'll cite the example of my home town, Nanaimo, where the price per gram is roughly $45. This contradicts people like U.S. drug czar John Walters claiming the drug war is being won, and citing high street prices as success. Not so. There is still an abundance. Perhaps some regions or cities have made strides in control, but in society overall it is still flowing in.
Back to Santos' point, the problem is the demand, not necessarily the supply. This contradicts the expensive US effort of supply-side control, which isn't cost effective, or working. I'm not sure many users are acutely aware of the problems that cocaine has contributed to in regard to the country's history of violence. But I think that Santos makes a good point that people should think about the consequences for Colombia by taking the drug - - a different angle than focusing on the legality and health issues.
Source:
http://www.alertnet.org/db/blogs/1265/2006/10/3-150949-1.htm
tag: last301
Sunday, October 29, 2006
'Dirty War' witnesses fear testifying
Julio Jorge López
The Miami Herald published an article this week focusing on the continuing legacy of the dictatorship from Argentina’s “Dirty War.” A few students posted articles a few weeks ago about a Dirty War trial witness, Julio Jorge López, who “disappeared” after being a key witness in the prosecution of former Buenos Aires province police chief Miguel Osvaldo Etchecolatz. Rogue members of the Buenos Aires police force with ties to the military dictatorship are suspected in the disappearance.
López is still missing, and this is having an effect on witnesses set to give testimony in the ongoing trials and former military and police officers accused of crimes. María Laura Bretal is one such witness: ''I am not ready to let the police or the military follow me around. Look what happened the last time they were protecting us.” Another torture victim, Patricia Chabat, talks about what the López disappearance signifies: ''They know very well the message they want to send us. I don't think we will ever find him dead or alive. López is a symbol.”
The article outlines the scope of the upcoming trials. Approximately 1000 witnesses are ready to testify in the roughly 900 trials that are scheduled against members of the 1970s security forces. The article mentions that after López disappeared, “death threats started raining on judges, prosecutors, witnesses and human rights activists.”
In reaction to the recent threats, Kirchner has reintroduced a bill that would extend witness protection services. Currently there are 20 Argentineans under witness protection.
The legacy of terror has had a deep impact on the witnesses. Many still have a mistrust for the security forces, even those that are protecting them in the trials.
Amnesty
The article talks about one of the negative aspects for the movement to end amnestity - - the emergence of groups that actually support it. Three weeks ago there was a protest of 5000 people who were demanding amnesty for the forces on the grounds that most of the disappeared were leftist guerrillas who killed innocent civilians. In another article, I read one of the opinions of a protestor who felt that the torture was necessary to battle the leftist threat - - “terrorism vs. terrorism.” This is an awful case of double morality. If a person is against the insurgents because they are supposedly terrorists, how can you call your side the good side if you use terrorist tactics yourself? I know my opinion seems obvious to the class, but people still quite animately have the “they do it, why can’t we” attitude, as seen with the recent protest . You hear the justifications for torture in the War on Terror, and many people defend Pinochet and Reagan’s in this exact way. These views are not isolated, unfortunately.
Source: http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/breaking_news/15819906.htm?source=rss&channel=miamiherald_breaking_news
tag: last301
The Miami Herald published an article this week focusing on the continuing legacy of the dictatorship from Argentina’s “Dirty War.” A few students posted articles a few weeks ago about a Dirty War trial witness, Julio Jorge López, who “disappeared” after being a key witness in the prosecution of former Buenos Aires province police chief Miguel Osvaldo Etchecolatz. Rogue members of the Buenos Aires police force with ties to the military dictatorship are suspected in the disappearance.
López is still missing, and this is having an effect on witnesses set to give testimony in the ongoing trials and former military and police officers accused of crimes. María Laura Bretal is one such witness: ''I am not ready to let the police or the military follow me around. Look what happened the last time they were protecting us.” Another torture victim, Patricia Chabat, talks about what the López disappearance signifies: ''They know very well the message they want to send us. I don't think we will ever find him dead or alive. López is a symbol.”
The article outlines the scope of the upcoming trials. Approximately 1000 witnesses are ready to testify in the roughly 900 trials that are scheduled against members of the 1970s security forces. The article mentions that after López disappeared, “death threats started raining on judges, prosecutors, witnesses and human rights activists.”
In reaction to the recent threats, Kirchner has reintroduced a bill that would extend witness protection services. Currently there are 20 Argentineans under witness protection.
The legacy of terror has had a deep impact on the witnesses. Many still have a mistrust for the security forces, even those that are protecting them in the trials.
Amnesty
The article talks about one of the negative aspects for the movement to end amnestity - - the emergence of groups that actually support it. Three weeks ago there was a protest of 5000 people who were demanding amnesty for the forces on the grounds that most of the disappeared were leftist guerrillas who killed innocent civilians. In another article, I read one of the opinions of a protestor who felt that the torture was necessary to battle the leftist threat - - “terrorism vs. terrorism.” This is an awful case of double morality. If a person is against the insurgents because they are supposedly terrorists, how can you call your side the good side if you use terrorist tactics yourself? I know my opinion seems obvious to the class, but people still quite animately have the “they do it, why can’t we” attitude, as seen with the recent protest . You hear the justifications for torture in the War on Terror, and many people defend Pinochet and Reagan’s in this exact way. These views are not isolated, unfortunately.
Source: http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/breaking_news/15819906.htm?source=rss&channel=miamiherald_breaking_news
tag: last301
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Freedom of Movement for Cubans - A Privilege, Not a Right
"I am not asking the Cuban government to let me enter the country," Valle said. "I am demanding my right to enter and leave when I decide and am in condition to do so — just like any other citizen of the world."
Amir Valle is a Cuban writer who has been in Europe promoting his book, “Jineteras.” When Cubans receive an exit permit, the government usually restricts the amount of time on which the person can be away. When Cubans remain abroad past the due date, they must get the visa renewed to reenter Cuba. Sometimes the person is denied reentry. Other times, Cubans choose to “stay” in the particular country permanently, which in the Cuban vernacular means “defect.” Amir decided to stay longer in Europe because he was enjoying the tour and was receiving invites to more functions. But he was not planning to “stay” in the traditional sense. He wants to go back to Cuba, but the government is taking its time on the decision to allow him back in. “Many Cuban intellectuals have spent years asking for this absurd regulation for entering and departing the country to be annulled,” Valle wrote from Berlin. “We have not received any answer, except for the classic, 'It's under discussion.’” Yahoo News covers the story here.
Freedom of movement within and outside a country is a basic human right. Amir is simply demanding this right. It should not Cuba’s decision on how long Amir may visit Europe. The decision should be up to Amir and the opportunities he has abroad. This story is a clear example of how the Cuban government turns what should be a basic right into a privilege - - one that is arbitrarily judged by the regime.
Apparently Amir has also been criticizing the Cuban government in some interviews. His book “Jineteras” is about true stories of the black market and prostitution in Cuba, which undoubtedly is a thorn in the side for a government who relies heavily on propaganda. Because of this, it appears the government may be reacting to Amir exercising another basic right - - free speech. Amir seems to be a peaceful man, and he’s won literary awards within and outside Cuba. This story demonstrates how the government has little tolerance for dissent, and the various methods it uses to inhibit it.
Source:
Snow, Anita. "Cuban Writer Can't Return, Won't Defect." Yahoo News. Oct 20, 2006.
tag: last301
Amir Valle is a Cuban writer who has been in Europe promoting his book, “Jineteras.” When Cubans receive an exit permit, the government usually restricts the amount of time on which the person can be away. When Cubans remain abroad past the due date, they must get the visa renewed to reenter Cuba. Sometimes the person is denied reentry. Other times, Cubans choose to “stay” in the particular country permanently, which in the Cuban vernacular means “defect.” Amir decided to stay longer in Europe because he was enjoying the tour and was receiving invites to more functions. But he was not planning to “stay” in the traditional sense. He wants to go back to Cuba, but the government is taking its time on the decision to allow him back in. “Many Cuban intellectuals have spent years asking for this absurd regulation for entering and departing the country to be annulled,” Valle wrote from Berlin. “We have not received any answer, except for the classic, 'It's under discussion.’” Yahoo News covers the story here.
Freedom of movement within and outside a country is a basic human right. Amir is simply demanding this right. It should not Cuba’s decision on how long Amir may visit Europe. The decision should be up to Amir and the opportunities he has abroad. This story is a clear example of how the Cuban government turns what should be a basic right into a privilege - - one that is arbitrarily judged by the regime.
Apparently Amir has also been criticizing the Cuban government in some interviews. His book “Jineteras” is about true stories of the black market and prostitution in Cuba, which undoubtedly is a thorn in the side for a government who relies heavily on propaganda. Because of this, it appears the government may be reacting to Amir exercising another basic right - - free speech. Amir seems to be a peaceful man, and he’s won literary awards within and outside Cuba. This story demonstrates how the government has little tolerance for dissent, and the various methods it uses to inhibit it.
Source:
Snow, Anita. "Cuban Writer Can't Return, Won't Defect." Yahoo News. Oct 20, 2006.
tag: last301
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