Monday, March 29, 2010

A Note to New Cuban Leaders in the Diaspora

“Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.” - Sun Tzu




Cuba and the Cuban diaspora are living in interesting times. Faced with a totalitarian dictatorship that has brutalized Cubans for 51 years and before that an authoritarian dictatorship that opened the door to political violence and disaster on March 10, 1952 when democracy was brought to an end in Cuba.

The past month, beginning with the death of Amnesty International prisoner of conscience Orlando Zapata Tamayo after more than 80 days on hunger strike (and the denial of water by prison authorities for more than two weeks) followed by the brutalization by agents of the dictatorship of the Ladies in White on the seventh anniversary of the Cuban Black Spring led to an international outcry denouncing the dictatorship, and apparently internal fissures within the regime disgusted over the dictatorship's actions.



The response by the Cuban diaspora, led by the likes of Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Andy Garcia, and Paquito D'Rivera shifting away from focusing on the Castro brothers to focusing on the Ladies in White, Cuba's prisoners of conscience, and the systematic denial of human rights in Cuba while, inviting everyone - not just Cubans - to join marches in support of the Ladies in White, calling for the freedom of Cuba's political prisoners, and demanding that Cubans have a right to their rights resonated with tens of thousands.



There are voices speaking of the end of the dictatorship . They are not necessarily wrong or right. There have been several times where the dictatorship has been on the ropes. The 1980 Mariel crisis began as mass demonstrations against the regime and the occupation of the Peruvian embassy only to end in a mass exodus to Miami by more than 125,000 Cubans. The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the end of the Soviet Union in 1991 was another moment of opportunity.



In the summer of 1994 social explosions in Cuba led to mass demonstrations in Havana and calls for freedom. In 2003 the dictatorship was on the defensive with the Varela Project, but with the start of the Iraq war carried out a massive crackdown and placed the opposition on the defensive, although it paid a heavy price internationally. This may be one of those moments of opportunity.

Nobel Peace Prize winner, Dissident leader, and first president of a free Poland Lech Walesa in Madrid, Spain on March 27, 2010 said that he found it incredible that Castro was not overthrown when the Berlin Wall fell producing transitions in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union stating "Cuban exiles in the exterior did not realize that they should have taken action at that moment and taken advantage of the opportunity" to which he added that for that reason the situation now is so difficult.

One could argue that 1989-1991 was one of several opportunities. At the time Cuban exiles were distrustful of the internal opposition then emerging and challenging the regime. It was another missed opportunity and a costly one.

The question to ask oneself now is what are you going to do now? It seems that every time there is a chance to obtain change two things happen. First, a lot of "leaders" seek to position themselves for the "inevitable transition" and there appears to be a lack of strategic vision. Cubans want to do something in reaction to the obvious injustices perpetrated but there is no plan with an endgame of how to achieve change. There is a focus on tactics and actions but not a long term vision.

You can't defeat an adversary who has a plan for remaining in power without your own plan for forcing them to change. The opposition both inside and outside of Cuba needs to be thinking and planning how to concretely obtain what it is demanding: freedom of all Cuban political prisoners, and an end to the systematic violation of the human rights of all Cubans by the dictatorship.

Ricardo Brown has an interesting essay on his blog arguing that if you want to be an effective protagonist for change in Cuba you have to be at the level of Cuba's founders and that both the Ladies in White and Orlando Zapata Tamayo are and where on that level of competence. He concludes by observing that the demonstration organized on Eighth street was also on that level.



Brown is right. The Ladies in White, despite beatings and repression, set out courageously to march for seven days straight and they did it despite some of them ending up in casts with fractures provided by government agents. They planned and executed an action with a concrete objective the freedom of there loved ones imprisoned since 2003 and all Amnesty International prisoners of conscience.

A special request to all the would be leaders out there: Less time chasing after the cameras and more time thinking about having a plan of action, and how to carry it out. More time thinking about how the regime and its agents attempt to manipulate the diaspora into making counterproductive statements or taking actions that are counterproductive. Seize the moment take well thought out action and obtain the freedom of Cuba's prisoners of conscience, and a Cuba where the human rights of all Cubans are respected.



The opposition in Cuba has achieved a consensus on the method of struggle and that is civic non-violent resistance to injustice. It is the path chosen by the Ladies in White, Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet, Jorge Garcia Perez Antunez, Normando Hernandez, Oswaldo Paya, Juan Carlos Gonzalez Leiva, and all sectors of the internal opposition. Miguel Sigler Amaya, at an FIU gathering, spoke about the importance of the nonviolent struggle and his belief that it is the method that will bring an end to the dictatorship. Brothers to the Rescue in the 1990s prepared an important publication on non-violent civic defiance. Please read it. It is also available in Spanish. Here is just one useful piece of information from that publication:
Resist Provocations to Act Violently or to Act before the Right Time

The key is to avoid being dragged into provocations to violence by the tyranny, that fears a nonviolent movement more than a violent action where it knows it has the advantage. Rushing into action and acting before the conditions are "ripe" should also be avoided to prevent the risk that the tyranny could crush the movement or inflict a serious drawback. The determination of the type of action must be based on the degree of power that the nonviolent movement has achieved. That is why planning and the continuous evaluation of the situation by the leaders in Cuba and in exile are crucial.

Visiting the website of the Albert Einstein Institute and reading all the essays and online books available there on nonviolent struggle and strategy would be a smart move for any new leader. This will prepare you with the tools to develop an effective plan for change, but remember Mohandas Gandhi's observation: They say, 'means are, after all, means'. I would say, 'means are, after all, everything'. As the means so the end.”

Learn from the mistakes and errors of the past while reading as much as possible on nonviolent strategies and tactics then putting them into concrete action.

Good luck and God bless you.

Demonstrations of Solidarity with the Ladies in White today in Madrid, New York City, & Los Angeles

Demonstrations for the Ladies in White "Las Damas de Blanco" and supporting their demand for the immediate release of all of Cuba's prisoners of conscience.

Below are video excerpts. None are mine, but I found them searching through youtube and thought them worthwhile to post here to give an idea about today's events:


WSVN's Channel 7 coverage of demonstration in Los Angeles



Telemundo Channel 51 coverage of demonstrations in Madrid, New York City, & Los Angeles in Spanish



From youtube images from the demonstration in New York City

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Day of Fasting & Prayer for Cuba for Human Rights, Liberty, & Justice

On March 26, 2010 at Our Lady of Charity (Ermita de la Caridad) a Day of Fasting & Prayer for Cuba for Human Rights, Liberty, & Justice was observed beginning at 9am and ending at 9pm organized by the Spiritual Leaders of the Exile, Union of Cubans in Exile, The Felix Varela Foundation and Communities of Cuban Exclessiastical Reflection in the Diaspora( CRECED).


Pt. 1


Pt. 2

Videos and photos were taken at the closing Mass presided over by Bishop Agustín Román

The schedule of events at the shrine was as follows:

• 9 a.m. -- Opening prayer and holy hour led by Auxiliary Bishop Felipe Estevez

• 10:30 a.m. -- Ecumenical prayer service led by Los Guías Espirituales en el Exilio

• 12 p.m. -- Mass presided by Msgr. Oscar Castañeda, rector of the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity

• 1:30 p.m. -- Rosary

• 3 p.m. -- Divine Mercy Chaplet

• 3:15p.m. -- Stations of the Cross

• 6 p.m. -- Ecumenical service led by retired Episcopal Bishop Onell Soto and Rev. Martin Añorga, retired pastor of First Spanish Presbyterian Church in Miami

• 6:45 p.m. -- Ceremony honoring the political prisoners and their families

• 7 p.m. -- Special presentation of the documentary “La Caridad nos Une”

• 8 p.m. -- Closing Mass presided by Bishop Agustín Román.


Pt. 3


Pt. 4


Pt. 5

Friday, March 26, 2010

Sights & Sounds from inside Gloria Estefan's March for Freedom & for the Ladies in White


An amazing day with 100,000 people marching with Gloria Estefan in support of freedom, human rights and Cuba's Ladies in White. Here are a few scenes filmed from my camera as I walked from 27th Avenue down to 22nd Avenue on SW 8th Street. The heart of the Cuban Exile Quarter. Better and more professional video available here.



Pt. 1




Pt. 2



Pt. 3



Pt. 4

Amaury Gutierrez comments on March for Freedom minutes after it ended

Scenes from Gloria Estefan's March for Freedom & for the Ladies in White

22nd Avenue stage with Ladies in White & Artists


Looking back from 22nd avenue to 27th avenue and SW 8 Street



March 25, 2010 a day that Cubans in Miami will not soon forget. A sea of Cubans and friends of Cubans dressed in white walked five blocks to honor Cuba's Ladies in White with a group of them in exile on stage with Gloria Estefan, Willy Chirino, Albita and a large number of artists and civic leaders. Below are a few pictures from today.

Group of Ladies in White with Miguel Sigler Amaya, former Amnesty International prisoner of conscience and part of the Group of the 75 arrested in March of 2003 the Cuban Black Spring


Willy Chirino with his wife and a group of Ladies in White.

Gloria Estefan going over final details before the March

Emilio Estefan just before March interviewed by Juana Isa of Radio Marti
Albita with a Lady in White
Cuban Music Legend Olga Guillot

More to follow.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Walk with Gloria Estefan today for the love of freedom, human rights, & the Cuban Ladies in White



This past week, the violent persecution that the "Damas De Blanco" suffered at the hands of Cuba's repressive government was such that the President of the European People's Party (EPP) in the European Parliament, Joseph Daul, declared, "It is high time that the European Union clearly defends all those who, in Cuba, risk their lives on a daily basis defending Human Rights and who are working towards a peaceful transition to democracy".

The moment has come for us as well; Cubans who live in freedom and anyone who would like to join us, to show our strength, support and spirit to the "Damas" and to the Cuban people.

LET'S WALK TOGETHER LIKE THE "DAMAS DE BLANCO"; with dignity, in silence, with a flower of hope in our hands and dressed in white to represent purity of thought, actions and new beginnings!

In the words of our illustrious poet, Jose Marti, "The campaigns of a people are only weak when in them is not enlisted the heart of a woman; but when a woman is shaken and helps, when a woman, timid and quiet in her nature, cheers and applauds, when a woman cultured and virtuous anoints a deed with the honey of her love, the deed is invincible".

Thursday, March 25, 2010 at 5pm we will gather on Beacom Blvd. between S.W. 7th and 8th Street. We will walk on 8th Street, in Little Havana, from 27th Avenue to 22nd Avenue beginning at 6pm sharp.

We will walk for the love of freedom...



Official music video: Cuba Libre by Gloria Estefan (lyrics below)

Cuba Libre (1998)
by Gloria Estefan

The place that I come from I barely remember.
The place that I come from I barely remember.
But the soul of my people will be with me forever.
The soul of my people will be with me forever.

You're hard to forget.
Though we're apart you live in my heart.

Yeah! Hey! Hey!
Yeah! Hey! Hey! Hey!

Swept by an ocean of beautiful memories.
Swept by an ocean of beautiful memories.
People and places that I carry within me.
People and places that I carry within me.

The place that I come from I barely remember.
The place that I come from I barely remember.
But the soul of my people will be with me forever.
The soul of my people will be with me forever.

Hard to forget.
You're hard to forget.
Though we're apart.
Though we're apart you live in my heart.

Quiero mi Cuba libre.
Pa que la gente pueda, pa que mi gente pueda bailar.
Quiero mi Cuba libre.
Pa que la gente pueda, pa que mi gente pueda bailar.

Yeah! Hey! Hey! Yeah!

I pray that the rain will bathe you in freedom.
Only music and laughter be heard on the breeze.
Forever after our dance will continue.
And I will at last get to see you again.

(Cuando peda, mi Cuba libre, cuando peda) You're hard to forget.
(Cuando peda, mi Cuba, cuando peda) Thought we're apart
(Cuando peda, mi Cuba, cuando peda) you live in my heart.
(Cuando peda)

Quiero mi Cuba libre.
Pa que la gente pueda, pa que mi gente pueda bailar.
Quiero mi Cuba libre.
Pa que la gente pueda, pa que mi gente pueda bailar.

Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Yeah! (Mi Cuba libre)
Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Yeah! (Mi Cuba libre)
Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Yeah! (Mi Cuba)
Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Yeah! (Mi Cuba)
Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Yeah! (Mi Cuba libre)
Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Yeah!

Pa que la gente, (mi Cuba)
pa que la gente pueda.
Pa que la gente, (mi Cuba)
pa que mi gente pueda bailar.
Pa que la gente, (mi Cuba)
pa que la gente pueda.
Pa que la gente, (mi Cuba)
pa que mi gente pueda bailar.

Quiero Cuba libre. Yeah!
Pa que mi gente pueda bailar.
Mi Cuba, mi Cuba, mi Cuba libre.
Cuba libre.
Mi Cuba, mi Cuba, mi Cuba libre.

Quiero mi Cuba libre.
Pa que la gente pueda, pa que mi gente pueda bailar.
Quiero, quiero Cuba libre. (Mi Cuba libre)
Pa que la gente pueda, pa que mi gente pueda bailar. (Mi Cuba libre)
Quiero, quiero mi Cuba libre. (Mi Cuba libre)
Pa que la gente pueda, pa que mi gente pueda bailar. (Quiero mi Cuba
libre)
Quiero mi Cuba libre.
Pa que la gente pueda, pa que mi gente pueda bailar.
Yeah!

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Orlando Zapata Lives: Tribute to a Cuban Hero

“Zapata’s struggle is our own without hatred and violence. May God grant that his martyrdom help all Cubans to see each other as brothers and sisters and thus take the path towards reconciliation, freedom and peace.” - Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas

Marc R. Masferrer who put together the video and montage has this to say about the passing of the Amnesty International Cuban prisoner of conscience: "Cuban political prisoner Orlando Zapata Tamayo died Feb. 23, 2010, after an 83-day hunger strike during which he demanded his captors respect his human rights. They not only ignored his demands, but they took active steps to ensure his death. However, a month later, it is clear that Zapata lives! He is a Cuban hero."





In the days following the death of Orlando Zapata Tamayo I found myself listening to two versions of the U2 song 'Pride' about another human rights martyr: Martin Luther King Jr., and in tribute to Orlando Zapata Tamayo I post post both versions below one by John Legend, and the original version by U2. Both have excerpts of Martin Luther King Jr. another apostle of nonviolent resistance to injustice.


Requiescat in pace Orlando Zapata Tamayo



Gloria Estefan Announces March 'In Support of Freedom'





MARCH IN SUPPORT OF THE 'DAMAS DE BLANCO' AND FREEDOM AND HUMAN RIGHTS FOR CUBA

MIAMI, March 23 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is a statement issued by Gloria Estefan:

On March 21st in Havana, Cuba, the "Damas De Blanco" (Ladies In White) ended their Marches commemorating the Seventh Anniversary of the "Black Spring" in Cuba which took place in April of 2003 when they suffered the unjust incarceration of their husbands and sons. Since then, these valiant women, dignified, and united in the pain of being forcibly separated from their loved ones have been fighting for their release.

This past week, the violent persecution that the "Damas De Blanco" suffered at the hands of Cuba's repressive government was such that the President of the European People's Party (EPP) in the European Parliament, Joseph Daul, declared, "It is high time that the European Union clearly defends all those who, in Cuba, risk their lives on a daily basis defending Human Rights and who are working towards a peaceful transition to democracy".

The moment has come for us as well; Cubans who live in freedom and anyone who would like to join us, to show our strength, support and spirit to the "Damas" and to the Cuban people.

LET'S WALK TOGETHER LIKE THE "DAMAS DE BLANCO"; with dignity, in silence, with a flower of hope in our hands and dressed in white to represent purity of thought, actions and new beginnings!

In the words of our illustrious poet, Jose Marti, "The campaigns of a people are only weak when in them is not enlisted the heart of a woman; but when a woman is shaken and helps, when a woman, timid and quiet in her nature, cheers and applauds, when a woman cultured and virtuous anoints a deed with the honey of her love, the deed is invincible".

Thursday, March 25, 2010 at 5pm we will gather on Beacom Blvd. between S.W. 7th and 8th Street. We will walk on 8th Street, in Little Havana, from 27th Avenue to 22nd Avenue beginning at 6pm sharp.

We will walk for the love of freedom...

Gloria Estefan

SOURCE Gloria Estefan http://www.gloriaestefan.com/cms/

Monday, March 22, 2010

The triumph of the Ladies in White

They said they were going to march for seven days to recall the anniversary of their loved one's unjust arrest and imprisonment. Despite threats, physical assaults, and abductions by agents of State Security the Ladies in White although bruised and battered carried out their marches as they had planned.

The power of civic non-violence over brute violence was witnessed around the world last week.

The world is paying attention and the impact is both in the news and in the blogosphere. Marc Masferrer of Uncommon Sense put together the following video montage to Patti Smith's People Have the Power:



Tomorrow's Wall Street Journal says it all in its editorial's subtitle: The women who scare Castro


REVIEW & OUTLOOK
MARCH 23, 2010

Fearsome Ladies
The women who scare Castro.

Thirty women walking with gladiolas don't usually strike a frightening pose—unless you're the government in Cuba. Last Wednesday, the Castro government broke up such a peaceful march in Havana, lest the courage of the "ladies in white" become contagious.

This month marks the seventh anniversary of the "Black Spring," when Cuban state security rounded up scores of journalists, political dissidents, writers, poets and independent librarians that the regime decided were a threat to the revolution. Seventy-five of them received harsh prison sentences in summary trials.

Many of the wives, sisters and mothers of the prisoners have petitioned the government for improved prison conditions and their release. Dressed in white, they have highlighted their calls by walking each Sunday after Catholic Mass through the streets of Havana. In 2005, they were awarded the European parliament's Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. The government has alternately ignored or harassed them, but the ladies march on.

Wednesday's procession—one of seven days of protest to mark the anniversary of the mass arrests—included the mother of Orlando Zapata Tamayo, the 42-year-old human rights activist who died in a Cuban prison last month. Reina Tamayo is becoming something of a national icon, and she described her Wednesday experience this way to the Cuban Democratic Directorate in Miami:

"They dragged me, I am all bruised. They beat me. They called me a [racial slur; she is black]. They will know this mother's pain. When I get to my home town of Banes in my home province of Holguin they will have to bury me with my son. But my people will remember me. They will remember me. . . . The Castro brothers cannot be forgiven. They cannot be forgiven." No wonder Fidel is afraid.

Original link

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Seven Years after the Cuban Black Spring: A Reflection


They can either kills us, put us in jail or release them. We will never stop marching no matter what happens. - Laura Pollán, Lady in White marching in Cuba March 2010


Seven years ago the news came by phone. A massive round up of Cuban civil society was underway. Independent journalists, human rights activists, and pro-democracy activists were detained their homes searched and ransacked. Independent libraries confiscated and the books burned. This is how the Cuban Black Spring began on March 18, 2003 on the eve of the United States invasion of Iraq.


The crackdown coincided with the main session of the then United Nations Human Rights Commission in Geneva which I would attend along with Jannet Rivero for both of us it was our first time attending the session. The days spent there were in constant communication with the Cuban Democratic Directorate in Miami compiling all the information as the crackdown continued and doing our best to obtain the most complete list available of the activists that had been detained.


The show trials began and the harsh sentences pronounced against these activists that Amnesty International would designate prisoners of conscience. Both of us would speak before the plenary session where representatives of the Cuban dictatorship were present along with the rest of the countries of the world and in three minute intervals denounce what was taking place on the island.


I still remember the shock on the faces of the regime’s “diplomats” when the news came of the executions of three young black Cubans at the hands of the dictatorship within hours of their arrest for hijacking a boat in an attempt to flee Cuba.


They couldn’t believe it, because despite the world’s attention being focused on the war in Iraq, the crackdown in Cuba was still in the news and the executions would catapult it even higher into the public consciousness. That is precisely what happened with many prominent international figures including many from the extreme left denouncing the crackdown and executions.Then like now there were a few that tried to defend the inexcusable.


Seven years later the Commission is no more, replaced by the United Nations Human Rights Council plagued with even more problems than the old Commission. The international climate is even more hostile to human rights than in 2003. Sadly, a majority of the 75 arrested in 2003 continue to be unjustly imprisoned prisoners of conscience. That is without mentioning the other 225 political prisoners, many imprisoned prior to 2003. Orlando Zapata Tamayo was arrested during the March 2003 crackdown but was not put on trial (although held in prison) until May 2004. Amnesty International declared him a prisoner of conscience during his pre-trial detention in January of 2004 – ten months after his arrest after a thorough investigation of his case.


Seven years later on March 18 Ricardo González, Ángel Moya, Normando Hernández, Julio César Gálvez, Oscar Elías Biscet and Regis Iglesias were all engaged in a fast on March 18 as part of a rotating fast they’ve organized from the Combinado de Este prison that began on March 12 and concludes on March 31st. In their communiqué they stated one of their objectives:

“We propose to proclaim the 18th of March as the National Day of Fasting for Freedeom of all captives for Motives of Politics and Conscience, for the end to the discord among Cubans, and the beginning of reconciliation and peaceful changes to democracy that the country needs.”

The activists also issued an open invitation and a call to action for: “All men and women of good will, who want to join us with their fasts, prayers or other supportive initiatives in this spirit of fraternity and solidarity, can join. United in this act of FAITH.” In that spirit I fasted for 24 hours in solidarity with Cuba’s prisoners of conscience on March 18, 2010 and attended the Assembly of the Resistance vigil that same evening.


I thought of these men unjustly imprisoned for seven years separated from their families, tortured both physically and psychologically for engaging in actions that in any normal country are considered the exercise of their basic rights. It fills me with outrage and frustration thay encourages me to take sustained action on their behalf.

When I read their document Liberty’s Vindication: The time for change is now! I read the following words and realized that we must follow their lead. Here’s part of what they said:

“We demand the immediate cessation of the cruel and inhuman treatment against the loving and peaceful Ladies in White. We proclaim the feasibility of peaceful change towards freedom and democracy in Cuba our country.

Civic non-violent struggle as exercised by Orlando Zapata Tamayo, the Ladies in White and these prisoners of conscience are all powerful demonstrations of both the power and feasibility of democratic change being driven by non-violence.


The dictatorship now destroying Cuba came to power through violence and political terror planting bombs in movie theatres and hijacking planes. At the time they justified these horrors because there was another dictator in power who had destroyed Cuban democracy, and many accepted this reasoning. It is an old argument: the ends justify the means. The trouble is that the seeds of the horror to come were sown in that struggle. The terrorism was there even before they obtained power. Mohandas Gandhi was right when he said: the means are the ends.




Yesterday night I visited Miguel Sigler Amaya’s home where a number of Ladies in White had gathered to hold a literary tea and communicate with their counterparts in Havana who had just concluded the fourth day of marching through the streets of Cuba calling for their family members’ freedom. Listening to the Ladies in White in Cuba describe their march through the streets of Cuba and their aspirations for freedom filled me with hope for the future.



Friday, March 19, 2010

Amnesty International remembers and honors Pablo Pacheco Avila

Cuban prisoner of conscience Pablo Pacheco Avila in 2009 won the Amnesty International special award for journalism under threat. He was arrested during the Cuban Black Spring of March 2003. Below is a brief Amnesty International video about Pablo.



As I write these words in a small Church in Cuba the Ladies in White and a group of Cuban bloggers are gathered to pay their respects for Cuba's prisoners of conscience and outside State Security and a mob of government agents have surrounded the Church.

They are in my thoughts and prayers

Amnesty International urges Raúl Castro to ensure safety of Ladies in White


Cuba’s ‘ladies in white’ At Risk of Beatings and Intimidation, Says Amnesty International

(Washington, DC) Amnesty International urged Cuban President Raúl Castro to ensure the safety of a group of female relatives of prisoners of conscience ahead of a scheduled demonstration today.

The call came after a protest by the Damas de Blanco (ladies in white) was forcibly broken up by Cuban police yesterday, who briefly detained several women.

After the incident, some of the women said they had been beaten by the police. They include Reyna Tamayo, mother of Orlando Zapata Tamayo, who died on February 22, 2010, having spent several weeks on hunger strike to demand the release of prisoners of conscience.

"The Cuban authorities must stop repressing legitimate dissent and harassing those who are only asking for justice and exercising their freedom of expression," said Kerrie Howard, deputy director of the Americas at Amnesty International. "Instead, they should review their repressive legislation and release all those who have been detained for years sentenced in summary trials on charges that are often baseless."

The Damas de Blanco, an unofficial group of women relatives and friends of individuals imprisoned around a major crackdown around March 18, 2003, have organized daily demonstrations in Havana during the week of the seventh anniversary of the arrests. 53 of those arrested in March 2003 continue to be detained.

Since the start of their campaign, members of the Damas de Blanco have been victims of threats and intimidation by Cuban security officials.

On March 15, state security officials visited Soledad Riva’s home and advised her against taking part in the events organized by the Damas de Blanco. The officials warned her that if she took part in a demonstration she could risk being beaten and would not see her children again. Her children live abroad and Soledad has been seeking an exit visa to visit them, which so far has not been granted by Cuban authorities.

Soledad Rivas' husband is a former prisoner of conscience Roberto de Miranda Hernández, a demonstrator who was detained in March 2003 but released in June 2004 on health grounds.

On March 16, several members of the Damas de Blanco were intimidated by government supporters during a march they had organized to call for the release of their relatives in prison.

Government supporters shouted insults at them and physically assaulted William Cepero Garcia, a man supporting the protest. Hugo Damian Prieto and Juan Carlos Vasallo, two men who were supporting the demonstration, were detained.

Amnesty International is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning grassroots activist organization with more than 2.2 million supporters, activists and volunteers in more than 150 countries campaigning for human rights worldwide. The organization investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes the public, and works to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied.

http://www.amnestyusa.org/document.php?id=ENGUSA20100318001&lang=e

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Amnesty International calls on Cuban regime to revoke repressive laws and release prisoners of conscience


Cuba urged to revoke repressive laws and release prisoners of conscience

17 March 2010

Amnesty International on Wednesday called on the Cuban authorities to revoke laws that restrict freedom of expression, assembly and association and to release all dissidents unfairly detained by the authorities.

The organization also urged President Raúl Castro to allow independent monitoring of the human rights situation in Cuba by inviting UN experts to visit the country and by facilitating monitoring by other human rights groups.

The call came ahead of the 7th anniversary of the arrest of 75 Cuban dissidents around 18 March 2003. Fifty-three of those arrested continue to be detained. One of those arrested in March 2003, Orlando Zapata Tamayo, died on 22 February 2010, having spent several weeks on hunger strike in protest at prison conditions.

"Cuban laws impose unacceptable limits on the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly," said Kerrie Howard, Americas Deputy Director at Amnesty International. "Cuba desperately needs political and legal reform to bring the country in line with basic international human rights standards.

"The long imprisonment of individuals solely for the peaceful exercise of their rights is not only a tragedy in itself but also constitutes a stumbling block to other reforms, including the beginning of the dialogue needed for the lifting of the US unilateral embargo against Cuba."

Several articles of the Cuban Constitution and Criminal Code are so vague that they are currently being interpreted in a way that infringes fundamental freedoms.

Article 91 of Cuba's Criminal Code provides for sentences of ten to 20 years or death for anyone "who in the interest of a foreign state, commits an act with the objective of damaging the independence or territorial integrity of the Cuban state".

According to article 72 "any person shall be deemed dangerous if he or she has shown a proclivity to commit crimes demonstrated by conduct that is in manifest contradiction with the norms of socialist morality" and article 75.1 states that any police officer can issue a warning for such "dangerousness". The declaration of a dangerous pre-criminal state can be decided summarily. A warning may also be issued for associating with a "dangerous person".

Law 88 provides for seven to 15 years' imprisonment for passing information to the United States that could be used to bolster anti-Cuban measures, such as the US economic blockade. The legislation also bans the ownership, distribution or reproduction of "subversive materials" from the US government, and proposes terms of imprisonment of up to five years for collaborating with radio, TV stations or publications deemed to be assisting US policy.

Local non-governmental organizations have great difficulty in reporting on human rights violations due to restrictions on their rights to freedom of expression, association and movement. International independent human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, are not allowed to visit the island.


Original link: http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/cuba-urged-revoke-repressive-laws-and-release-prisoners-conscience-2010-03-17

Saturday, March 13, 2010

GENEVA DECLARATION ON INTERNET FREEDOM

Adopted by the Human Rights Defenders and Civil Society Representatives assembled at the 2nd Geneva Summit for Human Rights, Tolerance and Democracy, March 9, 2010.

Preamble

We, human rights defenders and representatives of civil society from all regions of the world, having assembled here at the Second Geneva Summit for Human Rights, Tolerance and Democracy,

Guided by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantee the right to freedom of opinion and expression, including the freedom to hold opinions without interference, and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers,

Recognizing that the Internet is a universal space for communication and the exchange of ideas that can promote freedom and mutual understanding among all people, regardless of race, religion, geography or economic status,

Mindful that the Internet has become a primary vehicle for communication in all sectors of life in a globalized economic and civil society, requiring its transparency and openness to function properly,

Believing that the preservation of a free Internet is essential to the full enjoyment of human rights, civil liberties and a free and democratic society,

Alarmed that the situation of Internet freedom in many regions of the world is increasingly perilous and under assault,

Acknowledging that the intimidation and the use of technologies aimed at the restriction and monitoring of Internet creates an environment of repression,

Affirming that suppression of independent thought by filtering, monitoring and censoring of websites, online content, blogs and messaging services constitutes a violation of Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,

Recognizing that all countries have obligations to guarantee Internet freedom,

Emphasizing that countries which enjoy secure and open Internet technologies are obliged to prevent exported communications technologies from being used as a vehicle for suppression and censorship, and that Internet companies should take reasonable steps to avoid complicity with, and liability for, violations of human rights,

Recognizing that the struggle for freedom of expression has today largely shifted online as the Internet has become the means of choice for political dissidents, democracy activists, human rights defenders and independent journalists worldwide,

Considering that there are particular countries in which the situation of Internet freedom is under a grave and gathering threat, with imprisoned political dissidents, journalists and bloggers who are in urgent need of protection by the international community,

Recalling the proposed 2008 Directive of the European Parliament concerning the EU Global Online Freedom Act, in particular its finding that authoritarian states such as Belarus, Burma, China, Cuba, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Vietnam censor the internet by blocking websites and filtering search results and intimidate internet users through cyber police and obliged registration,

Deeply concerned that authorities in China have seized computers, imprisoned individuals for sharing information online, blocked and deleted blogs and other online services, and incarcerated journalists and social activists for online activity,

Alarmed that authorities in Iran have acted to suppress the free flow of information by blockading Internet traffic and suspending email providers and messaging services, and have created a special police division to hunt down Internet users suspected of so-called “insults and spreading of lies” against the regime,

Deeply disturbed that authorities in Cuba imposed near-total restrictions on access through prohibitive user fees, few public access points and slow connection speeds, and restricted distribution of service to a state-controlled provider,

Decide to hereby adopt this Declaration on Internet Freedom, in Geneva, Switzerland, on March 9, 2010;

Urge the United Nations Human Rights Council, now meeting in its 13th Regular Session, to endorse this Declaration and support the cause of Internet freedom in the face of repression;

Urge all other relevant United Nations and international bodies to endorse this Declaration and support the cause of Internet freedom in the face of repression;

Urge all like-minded supporters of freedom, human rights and democracy to adopt similar declarations, resolutions, or other statements to support the cause of Internet freedom in the face of repression, and urge that these be submitted to the United Nations.

Article 1

Everyone has the right to equal access to the Internet, regardless of race, religion, ethnic or geographical origin.

Article 2

Everyone has the right to the free flow of information and freedom of expression without fear of discrimination.

Article 3

Everyone has the right to a transparent and open Internet without the subjection of individual licensing or prohibitive, discriminatory requirements such as heavy tolls.

Article 4

Everyone has the right to preserve and protect their intellectual property, kept private and confidential from invasion, seizure or monitoring.

Article 5

Everyone has a right to protect Internet access, Internet infrastructure and communication technologies from government seizure.

Article 6

Everyone has a right to anonymity and online privacy, free from intrusive monitoring by the state or third parties.

Article 7

Everyone has the right to encrypt or otherwise secure their identities and the security of their information as it travels across the Internet, to protect themselves and their information from unwarranted monitoring.

Article 8

No one should be allowed to export or sell technologies, equipment or software that enables the restriction of Internet use or access for the purpose of violating human rights.

Article 9

Internet providers should not be allowed to provide governments, corporations or third parties any information about their users without their legal consent.

Article 10

Any attempt to restrict or intimidate people from free, uncensored, and secure access of the Internet constitutes a fundamental abridgement of human rights and undermines the promotion of peace and world order.

Article 11

The rights and freedoms set out in this Declaration are guaranteed subject only to such reasonable limits, prescribed by law, as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society. Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Adopted by consensus, Geneva, March 9, 2010

http://www.genevasummit.org/media/20

"The time for change is now" rotating fast by Group of 75 prisoners of conscience

Petitions for Days of Fasting and Bible readings

We, members of the group of 75 Cuban intellectuals unjustly imprisoned during the Black Spring of 2003

We invite you!

To Days of Fasting and Scripture Readings Spring 2010 "The time for change is now."
All prisoners of conscience and political prisoners, the democratic opposition, the Cuban people and all religious institutions, civic or fraternal can:

"Commemorate the 18th of March 2010, date that marks the disastrous 7 years of infamous repression that unjustly took a group of dignified Cubans to prison simply because they sought to exercise their freedom of thought.

During this period, in the prisons of the communist regime, we have suffered cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, including torture.
Some of these reprehensible actions our families have been suffering.

-These Days of fasting and scripture readings that we propose will be to demand that the human rights, inalienable to every human person, of the people of Cuba are respected and by:

1 - An immediate end to the cruel and inhumane treatment of the famed Ladies in White;

2 - What are respected International Human Rights Covenants, on Civil and Political, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights to which the Cuban government is a signatory;

3 - To be respected and honored by the Cuban government No.9, 2003 Opinion of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detentions of the United Nations Organization (UNO), that declares innocent the 75 intellectuals and peaceful political opposition activists arrested in Spring Cuba Black seven long years ago, and their unconditional release as a first step for justice and reconciliation, all prisoners of conscience and political Cubans.
4 - To begin among all Cubans the process of peaceful change towards freedom and democracy in our country.

The Day of Fasting and Bible readings Spring 2010 “The Time for Change is Now” will take place from 12th to 31st of March.

- Participants in said activity may demonstrate their solidarity with these actions each day for 6, 8, 12 or 24 hours of individual or collective fasting, prayers in their houses, temples, public places or in their cells. With articles, essays, literary testimony, holding conferences, conversations, issuing public statements, and maintaining a civic dialogue among Cubans, all of which reflect and implement by peaceful means, these just and patriotic sought-after goals of the Cuban people.

The fraternal solidarity among all and for all must NOW demonstrate that we are all one and the world may believe.

Any initiative in this spirit of fraternity, solidarity, respect and peace for the love of Cuba is legitimate and timely.

- We propose to proclaim the 18th of March as the National Day of Fasting for Freedom of all captives for Motives of Politics and Conscience, for the end to the discord among Cubans, and the beginning of reconciliation and peaceful changes to democracy that the country needs.
All men and women of good will who want to join us with their fasts, prayers or other supportive initiatives in this spirit of fraternity and solidarity, can join.

United in this act of FAITH,

We, intellectuals unjustly incarcerated for exercising the freedom of thought, GROUP OF THE 75:







Dr. Oscar Elías Bicet,






Julio Cesar Gálvez,







Ricardo González Alfonso,






Normando Hernández,







Regis Iglesias, Mov. Cristiano Liberación,







Ángel Moya

Given at the Combinado del Este Prison
March 2010, 7th Anniversary of the Cuban Black Spring


An original copy of this document above



METHODOLOGICAL ANNEX

Day of Fasting and Scripture Readings Spring 2010

"The change is now."

March 12 - Friday: From this day until Wednesday 17 March, the prisoners of conscience
Ricardo González, Ángel Moya, Normando Hernández, Julio César Gálvez, Oscar Elías Biscet and Regis Iglesias will each devote a specific day of Bible readings and carry out a 24 hour fast. So for each of these special days (Friday 12, Saturday 13, Sunday 14, Monday 15, Tuesday 16 and Wednesday 17 of March), one of these prisoners of conscience will be in prayer and fasting for freedom, national reconciliation and peaceful change towards democracy that Cuba needs now, from his cell at the Combinado de Este prison.

March 18 - Thursday: This day will mark seven years since the start of the arbitrary arrests of 75 political intellectuals in the Black Spring of 2003, the six prisoners of conscience
Ricardo González, Ángel Moya, Normando Hernández, Julio César Gálvez, Oscar Elías Biscet and Regis Iglesias will unite in a spiritual communion to pray and fast from their cells.

Across the country, all persons so desiring may also do this on 18 March for the release of political prisoners and of conscience, for reconciliation among all Cubans and peaceful change towards democracy that our beloved Cuban nation
needs.

People across the country want to make public their communion with this initiative may, and should do so.

From Friday March 19th until Wednesday March 31st prisoners of conscience in all the prisons in the country may choose either individually or collectively a specific day for prayer and pious reading and fasting for the aims of “
The time for change is now" days of fasting making their intentions public and indicating which day, between 19 and 31 March, they have chosen to do so.
Friday, March 12:
Hosea 14,2-10 • Psalm 80 • Gospel: Mark 12.28 b-34

Saturday, March 13th:
Hosea 6, 1-6 • Psalm 50 • Luke 18: 9-14
Sunday, March 14th:
Joshua 5, 90-12 • Psalm 33 • 2 Corinthians 5, 17-21 • Luke 15, 1-5; 11-32

Monday, 15 March:
Isaiah 65, 17-21 • Psalm 29 • Gospel of John 4, 43-54

Tuesday, March 16:
Ezekiel 47, 1-9.12 • Psalm 45 • Gospel of John 5, 1-3.5-16

Wednesday, 17 March:
Isaiah 49, 8-15 • Psalm 144 • Gospel of John 5, 17-30

Thursday, 18 March:
Exodus 32, 7-14 • Psalm 105 • Gospel of John 5, 31-47

Friday, 19 March:
2 Samuel 7, 4-5 ª. 12-14 ª 16 • Psalm 88 • Romans 4, 13, 16-18, 22 • Matthew 1, 16. 18-21. 24th

Saturday 20 March:
Jeremiah 11, 18-20 • Psalm 7 • Gospel of John 7, 40-53

Sunday 21 March:
Isaiah 43, 16-21 • Psalm 125 • Philippians 3, 8-14 • Gospel of John 8, 1-11
Monday 22 March:
Daniel 13, 1-9. 15-17. 19-30. 33-62 • Psalm 22 • Gospel of John 8, 12-20

Tuesday, 23 March:
Numbers 21, 4-9 • Psalm 101 • Gospel of John 8, 21-30
Wednesday, March 24:
Daniel 3, 52-56 • Gospel of John 8, 31-42

Thursday, March 25:
Isaiah 7, 10-14, 8, 10 • Psalm 39 • Hebrews 10, 4-10 • Luke 1: 26-38

Friday, March 26:
Jeremiah 20, 10-13 • Psalm 17 • Gospel of John 10, 31-42

Saturday, March 27:
Ezekiel 37, 21-28 • Jeremiah 31, 10-13 • Gospel of John 11, 45-57
Palm Sunday March 28:
Gospel according to Luke 19, 28-40 • Isaiah 50: 4-7 • Psalm 21 • Philippians 2, 6-11 • Luke 23, 1-49

Easter Monday, March 29:
Isaiah 42, 1-7 • Psalm 26 • Gospel of John 12, 1-11
Holy Tuesday, March 30:
Isaiah 49, 1-6 • Psalm 70 • Gospel of John 13, 21-33. 36-38

Holy Wednesday 31 March:
Isaiah 50: 4-9 • Psalm 68 • Gospel according to Matthew 26, 14-25


Original Spanish text below

Peticiones de la Jornada de ayuno y lecturas bíblicas

Nosotros, miembros del Grupo de los 75 intelectuales cubanos encarcelados injustamente durante la Primavera Negra de 2003

¡Invitamos!

A la Jornada de Ayuno y Lecturas Bíblicas Primavera 2010 "El tiempo de cambio es ahora".

Todos los prisioneros de conciencia y políticos, la oposición democrática, el pueblo cubano y todas las instituciones religiosas, civiles o fraternales pueden:


-Conmemorar el día 18 de marzo de 2010, fecha nefasta en que se cumplen 7 años de la infame represión que injustamente llevó a prisión a un grupo de dignos cubanos por el único hecho de ejercitar su libertad de pensamiento.

Durante este período, en las cárceles del régimen comunista, hemos sufrido tratos crueles, inhumanos y degradantes, incluso torturas. Parte de estas acciones condenables las han estado sufriendo nuestros familiares.

-Esta Jornada de ayuno y lecturas bíblicas que proponemos será en demanda de que sean respetado los derechos humanos, inalienables a toda persona humana, al pueblo de Cuba, y por:

1- El cese inmediato de los tratos crueles e inhumanos a las insignes Damas de Blanco;

2- Que sean respetados los Pactos Internacionales de Derechos Humanos, Civiles y Políticos, Económicos, Sociales y Culturales de los cuales el gobierno cubano es signatario;

3- Que sea respetada y acatada por los gobernantes cubanos la Opinión No.9 de 2003 del Grupo de Trabajo de Detenciones Arbitrarias de la Organización de Naciones Unidas (ONU), que declara INOCENTES a los 75 intelectuales y oposicionistas políticos pacíficos arrestados en la Primavera Negra de Cuba hace ya siete largos años, y sean liberados incondicionalmente, como primer paso de justicia y reconciliación, todos los prisioneros de conciencia y políticos cubanos.

4- Que se inicie entre todos los cubanos el proceso de cambios pacíficos hacia la libertad y la democracia en nuestra Patria.

-La Jornada de Ayuno y Lectura Bíblica Primavera 2010 “El Tiempo de Cambio es Ahora” se efectuará del 12 al 31 de Marzo.

- Los participantes en la misma podrán solidarizarse con estos presupuestos cada día mediante 6, 8, 12 ó 24 horas de ayunos individuales o colectivos, oraciones en sus casas, templos, lugares públicos o en sus celdas. Con artículos, ensayos, testimonios literarios, etc. Celebrando conferencias, conversatorios y declaraciones públicas, así como manteniendo un diálogo cívico entre los cubanos, todos, que reflexione e implemente por vías pacificas, justas y patrióticas estas anheladas metas del pueblo cubano.

La solidaridad fraterna entre todos y por todos debe AHORA manifestarse para que todos seamos uno y el mundo crea.

Cualquier iniciativa dentro de este espíritu fraterno, solidario, respetuoso y pacífico por amor a Cuba es legitima y puntual.

- Proponemos que se proclame el día 18 de Marzo como Día del Ayuno Nacional por la Libertad de Todos los Cautivos por Motivos Políticos y de Conciencia, por el punto final a las discordias entre cubanos, y por el inicio de la reconciliación y los cambios pacíficos hacia la democracia que el país necesita.

Todos los hombres y mujeres de buena voluntad que quieran acompañarnos con sus ayunos, oraciones u otras iniciativas solidarias, en este espíritu fraterno y solidario, pueden acompañarnos.


Unidos en este acto de FE,

Nosotros, intelectuales encarcelados injustamente por ejercer la libertad de pensamiento, GRUPO DE LOS 75:

Dr. Oscar Elías Bicet,

Julio Cesar Gálvez,

Ricardo González Alfonso,

Normando Hernández,

Regis Iglesias, Mov. Cristiano Liberación,

Ángel Moya

Dado en la Prisión Combinado del Este
Marzo de 2010, Aniversario VII de la Primavera Negra de Cuba

ANEXO METODOLOGICO

Jornada de Ayuno y Lecturas Bíblicas Primavera 2010

"El cambio es ahora".

Marzo 12 – Viernes: A partir de este día y hasta el miércoles 17 de marzo, los prisioneros de conciencia Ricardo González, Ángel Moya, Normando Hernández, Julio César Gálvez, Oscar Elías Biscet y Regis Iglesias dedicarán cada uno de ellos un día específico para realizar lecturas bíblicas y ayunar durante 24 horas. De manera que por cada uno de estos días señalados (viernes 12, sábado 13, domingo 14, lunes 15, martes 16 y miércoles 17 de marzo), habrá uno de estos prisioneros de conciencia en oración y ayuno por la libertad, la reconciliación nacional y los cambios pacíficos hacia la democracia que ahora Cuba necesita, desde su celda en el Combinado del Este.

Marzo 18 – Jueves: Este día en que se conmemoran siete años del inicio de los arrestos arbitrarios a 75 intelectuales políticos en la Primavera negra de 2003, los seis prisioneros de conciencia Ricardo González, Julio César Gálvez, Normando Hernández, Ángel Moya, Oscar Elías Biscet y Regis Iglesias se unirán en comunión espiritual para orar y ayunar desde sus celdas.


En todo el país, todas las personas que así lo deseen podrán también hacerlo este día 18 de marzo por la libertad de los prisioneros políticos y de conciencia, por la reconciliación entre todos los cubanos y por los cambios pacíficos hacia la democracia que nuestra amada patria cubana necesita.


Las personas que en todo el país quieran hacer pública su comunión con esta iniciativa podrán, y deberían, hacerlo.

A partir del viernes 19 de marzo y hasta el miércoles 31 de marzo los hermanos prisioneros políticos y de conciencia de todas las prisiones del país podrán escoger de manera individual o colectiva un día específico para dedicarlo a la oración y lectura piadosa y ayunar por los presupuestos de esta Jornada “El cambio ahora”, haciendo pública su intención y señalando cual día, entre el 19 y el 31 de marzo, habrán escogido para hacerlo.

Viernes 12 de marzo:
Oseas 14,2-10 • Salmo 80 • Evangelio: Marcos 12,28b-34

Sábado, 13 de marzo:
Oseas 6, 1-6 • Salmo 50 • Evangelio según San Lucas 18, 9-14

Domingo, 14 de marzo:
Josué 5, 90-12 • Salmo 33 • 2 Corintios 5, 17-21 • Evangelio según San Lucas 15, 1-5; 11-32

Lunes 15 de marzo:
Isaías 65, 17-21 • Salmo 29 • Evangelio según San Juan 4, 43-54

Martes 16 de marzo:
Ezequiel 47, 1-9.12 • Salmo 45 • Evangelio según San Juan 5, 1-3.5-16

Miércoles 17 de marzo:
Isaías 49, 8-15 • Salmo 144 • Evangelio según San Juan 5, 17-30

Jueves 18 de marzo:
Éxodo 32, 7-14 • Salmo 105 • Evangelio según San Juan 5, 31-47

Viernes 19 de marzo:
2 Samuel 7, 4-5ª. 12-14ª.16 • Salmo 88 • Romanos 4, 13, 16-18, 22 • Evangelio según San Mateo 1, 16. 18-21. 24ª

Sábado 20 de marzo:
Jeremías 11, 18-20 • Salmo 7 • Evangelio según San Juan 7, 40-53

Domingo 21 de marzo:
Isaías 43, 16-21 • Salmo 125 • Filipenses 3, 8-14 • Evangelio según San Juan 8, 1-11

Lunes 22 de marzo:
Daniel 13, 1-9. 15-17. 19-30. 33-62 • Salmo 22 • Evangelio según San Juan 8, 12-20

Martes 23 de marzo:
Números 21, 4-9 • Salmo 101 • Evangelio según San Juan 8, 21-30

Miércoles 24 de marzo:
Daniel 3, 52-56 • Evangelio según San Juan 8, 31-42

Jueves 25 de marzo:
Isaías 7, 10-14; 8, 10 • Salmo 39 • Hebreos 10, 4-10 • Evangelio según San Lucas 1, 26-38

Viernes 26 de marzo:
Jeremías 20, 10-13 • Salmo 17 • Evangelio según San Juan 10, 31-42

Sábado 27 de marzo:
Ezequiel 37, 21-28 • Jeremías 31, 10-13 • Evangelio según San Juan 11, 45-57

Domingo de Ramos 28 de marzo:
Evangelio según San Lucas 19, 28-40 • Isaías 50, 4-7 • Salmo 21 • Filipenses 2, 6-11 • Evangelio según San Lucas 23, 1-49

Lunes Santo 29 de marzo:
Isaías 42, 1-7 • Salmo 26 • Evangelio según San Juan 12, 1-11

Martes Santo 30 de marzo:
Isaías 49, 1-6 • Salmo 70 • Evangelio según San Juan 13, 21-33. 36-38

Miércoles Santo 31 de marzo:
Isaías 50, 4-9 • Salmo 68 • Evangelio según San Mateo 26, 14-25

"Además", dice Biscet en el documento "pueden leer a Isaías 58, 1-12; Evangelio según San Mateo 6, 16-18; 9, 15; Evangelio según San Mateo 5, 3-12; 13,16; Hebreos 12, 1-2; Hebreos 13, 3 o cualquier otra lectura bíblica que les sean espiritualmente inspiradoras.