"The first victory we can claim is that our hearts are free of hatred. Hence we say to those who persecute us and who try to dominate us: ‘You are my brother. I do not hate you, but you are not going to dominate me by fear. I do not wish to impose my truth, nor do I wish you to impose yours on me. We are going to seek the truth together’. THIS IS THE LIBERATION WHICH WE ARE PROCLAIMING."
Oswaldo José Payá Sardiñas (2002)
Showing posts with label World Movement for Democracy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label World Movement for Democracy. Show all posts
Human rights situation in Cuba continues to deteriorate. Reproducing statement issued by the World Movement for Democracy on September 30, 2016:
CUBAN AUTHORITIES’ ESCALATE VIOLENT ASSAULTS ON CIVIL SOCIETY
On September 23, 2016, police authorities raided the headquarters of Cuban Legal Information Center (CUBALEX) and confiscated computers, hard drives, USB drives and cell phones. Cuban activist Kirenia Yalit stated: “when it seemed that everything was going to end and they had concluded their interrogations’ of the activists, they forced them to strip naked ‘and squat to verify that there was nothing hidden in their bodies.” The authorities also told Laritza Diversent, Director of CUBALEX, that members of the organization could be accused of “illicit economic activity” and “illicit association.”
CUBALEX is an independent Cuban organization based in the Havana municipality of Arroyo Naranjo, and provides free legal advice to Cuban citizens and civil society activists. Unfortunately, the raid of the CUBALEX offices was part of a larger wave of harassment against Cuban civil society that has been taking place since last week.A day earlier, 23 activists belonging to the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU) were arrested, one of whom was indefinitely detained. This arrest marks the 43rd UNPACU member who has been imprisoned by the authorities.
Laritza Diversent, Director of CUBALEX
On September 18, 27 members of the Ladies in White movement, and several #TodosMarchamos (We All March) demonstrators, were arrested during peaceful protests. In a separate incident, Ladies in White activist Leticia Ramos, is facing baseless charges of “public disorder” after a police raid on her home. As of now, Ramos is under a government-imposed house arrest. On September 20, Cuban political police raided and disbanded a “meeting of several trade unionists,” according to Iván Hernández Carrillo, spokesman for Cuba’s Independent Trade Union Coalition.
On September 27, Cuban authorities detained Arturo Rojas and Ada López, members of the Otro18 (Another 18) initiative, which seeks to promote independent candidates trying to run in Cuba’s 2018 elections. The two activists were prevented from traveling to Colombia to observe the upcoming plebiscite on the country’s Peace Accords.
The World Movement for Democracy is deeply concerned about the Cuban government’s ongoing crackdown on civil society, and urges them to cease the harassment immediately. Cuban activists should be able to practice their right to freedom of assembly and association without encountering state-sponsored violence. Ladies in White leader, Berta Soler, has urged the world to stand up for Cuba’s human rights activists in her recent interview.
Join us in solidarity of Cuban activists by tweeting this message to the government of Cuba:
Statement byRegisIglesias, Christian Liberation Movement spokesman upon receivingon behalf oftheCubanopposition movement the Democracy Courage Tribute from theWorld Movementfor Democracy(WMD)
Cubans have lived under dictatorships or totalitarian regimes for over half a century. Our situation is dramatic. 50 years without freedom of expression, freedom of association, without economic rights for citizens. Cubans do not have freedom of movement. The Cuban family is divided, our Nation is divided and popular sovereignty is trampled on by the oligarchs in power. I
have the privilege to receive this recognition that is being given to us today, on
behalf of all Cubans throughout this painful time have worked and fought
for the rights of the Cuban people. Men
and women like Ofelia Acevedo, Ernesto Martini, Librado
Linares, Eduardo Diaz, Jorge García Perez, (Antunez), Sara Fonseca, Rosa
Rodriguez, Ivan Hernandez who like many others still resist there in
Cuba, beset by brutal repression.
I
receive it on behalf of more than 25,000 citizens that in the midst of terror have
demanded the regime hold a plebiscite for their rights, on behalf of thousands of
activists for freedom that in the face of fraudulent change that the
joint military-economic junta of the island want to sell give their support to "El Camino del Pueblo" [The People's Path]. I
receive it in the name of Felix
Navarro, Angel Moya, Ezequiel Morales, Berta Soler, Rosa María Paya,
Narviel Hernandez, Orlando Luis Pardo and
many, many more. None of them can be here today, as you, because the
joint military-economic junta on the island doesn't permit them to leave their own country. Fraudulent changes announced by the Cuban regime do not include all rights for all Cubans. But above all I want to receive this recognition for all my countrymen, for all the
martyrs who along more than half a century of totalitarianism have
generously given their lives for liberation. On behalf of Pedro Luis Boitel, Sebastian Arcos, Orlando Zapata, Julio
Ruiz Pitaluga, Laura Pollan.. Also
for Harold Cepero and Oswaldo Paya for whom we will not rest until the
truth is known about their deaths and we urge the international community
to support an independent investigation that finally recognizes the
crime. With
the decision of the Cuban people and your solidarity, of all men
and women of good will in the world some day justice will arrive to our beloved
Cuban land, the truth will have its temple. Cuba reborn and free all her children be reconciled tired of both despotism and hatred.
Truth and love will reign in our beloved island. We
need our Latin American brothers, our democratic friends around the world to be
with us now, that their commitment be on the side of the Cuban people who are suffering and
have no rights. Dictatorships
only despotic and oppressive systems that generally in the name of
national sovereignty restrict popular sovereignty and leave citizens
without rights.
Thank
you for walking in solidarity with Cubans all these years the steps
have brought us closer to freedom, thank you that together we will realize
that day long dreamed by us.
Regis Iglesias Palabras de Regis Iglesias, portavoz del Movimiento Cristiano Liberación, al recibir en nombre del movimiento opositor cubano el Premio al Valor del Movimiento Mundial por la Democracia (WMD)
Los cubanos hemos vivido bajo regímenes dictatoriales o totalitarios por mas de medio siglo.
Nuestra situación es dramática. 50 años sin libertad de expresión, sin libertad de asociación, sin derechos económicos para los ciudadanos. Los cubanos no tenemos libertad de movimiento. La familia cubana esta dividida, nuestra Nación esta dividida y la soberanía popular es pisoteada por los oligarcas en el poder.
Tengo el privilegio de recibir este reconocimiento que hoy se nos entrega., en nombre de todos los cubanos que a lo largo de este tiempo doloroso han trabajado y luchado por los derechos del pueblo cubano. Hombres y mujeres como Ofelia Acevedo, Ernesto Martini, Librado Linares, Eduardo Diaz, Jorge García Perez, (Antunez), Sara Fonseca, Rosa Rodriguez, Ivan Hernandez que como muchos otros aun resisten allí, en Cuba, acosados por la brutal represión.
Lo recibo en nombre de los más de 25,000 ciudadanos que en medio del terror han demandado al régimen un plebiscito por sus derechos, en nombre de miles de activistas por la libertad que frente al cambio fraude que nos quiere vender la junta económico militar de la isla dan su apoyo al documento El Camino del Pueblo. Lo recibo a nombre de Felix Navarro, Angel Moya, Ezequiel Morales, Berta Soler, Rosa María Paya, Narviel Hernandez, Orlando Luis Pardo y muchos, muchos mas. Ninguno de ellos puede hoy estar aquí, como ustedes, porque la junta económico militar en la isla no les permite salir de su propio país. Los cambios fraudes que anuncia el régimen cubano no incluyen todos los derechos para todos los cubanos.
Pero sobre todo quiero recibir este reconocimiento por todos mis compatriotas, por todos los mártires que a lo largo de mas de medio siglo de totalitarismo han dado sus vidas generosas por la liberación. En nombre de Pedro Luis Boitel, Sebastian Arcos, Orlando Zapata, Julio Ruiz Pitaluga, Laura Pollan. También en el de Harold Cepero y Oswaldo Paya por quienes no descansaremos hasta que la verdad sobre sus muertes sea conocida e instamos a la comunidad internacional a que apoye una investigación independiente que finalmente reconozca el crimen.
Con la decisión de los cubanos y la solidaridad de ustedes, de todos los hombres y mujeres de buena voluntad del mundo la justicia llegara algún día a nuestra amada tierra cubana, la verdad tendrá su templo. Cuba renacerá y libres se reconciliaran todos sus hijos cansados de tanto despotismo y odio.
La verdad y el amor reinaran en nuestra amada isla. Necesitamos que nuestros hermanos latinoamericanos, nuestros amigos demócratas de todo el mundo estén con nosotros ahora, que su compromiso esté del lado pueblo cubano que sufre y no tiene derechos . Las dictaduras solo sistemas despóticos y opresivos que por lo general en nombre de la soberanía nacional coartan la soberanía popular y dejan a los ciudadanos sin derechos..
Gracias a ustedes por caminar solidarios junto a los cubanos todos estos años los pasos que nos han acercado a la libertad, gracias porque juntos podremos hacer realidad ese día largamente soñado por nosotros.
The World Youth Movement for Democracy are pleased to announce the 15 semi-finalists of its 2012 Global Photo Contest “Youth in Action: A Snapshot of Democracy!” The semi-finalists were selected from entries from all around the world by a committee of independent judges from the WYMD network. Now, it’s your turn to pick your top favorite entry. Vote now!
We are pleased to present the semi-finalists of the 2012 World Youth Movement for Democracy’s Global Photo Contest “Youth in Action: A Snapshot of Democracy.” In less than a month's time, we received a great number of strong entries from all around the world. These semi-finalists have been selected by a committee of independent judges from the WYMD network to go on to the voting stage of the competition.
Now, it’s time for you to pick your favorite entries. Vote in All Three Categories!
“Regardless of what political model you embrace, I have no doubt that in our time our future belongs to those who are willing to responsibly embrace pluralism, openness and freedom. Your choice is to act and survive, or to resist and crumble.”
Reflecting on the situation in Cuba were for more than 50 years one party and the Castro brothers have rejected pluralism, openness, and freedom in Cuba we can say that the Island is a material realization of the above statement. The dictatorship resists change and Cuba is crumbling both physically and spiritually.
Cuban democrats are struggling for pluralism, openness, and freedom using non-violent means in the face of a brutal and violent of regime. There are two recent examples that demonstrate the dictatorship's nature. The death of prisoner of conscience Orlando Zapata Tamayo on an 82 day water only hunger strike on February 23. Cuba’s Ladies in White in March 2010 observed the 7th anniversary of their loved one’s imprisonment with silent marches over seven days during which they were subjected to harassment, detentions by state security, and brutal beatings. Some of them suffered broken bones.
Nevertheless, the women continued to march over the seven days demonstrating their courage and commitment.
Recalling this reality, we ask for concrete actions to be taken.
We call on democrats from around the world to continue to demonstrate their solidarity with their Cuban brothers and sisters, and if they have not in the past to begin to do so.
We call on the dictatorship in Cuba to release all of Cuba’s political prisoners; apply international human rights standards into the law; end communist monopoly control of political life recognizing both opposition parties and independent civil society; and finally hold free and transparent elections with international monitors.
Eliecer Consuegra Rivas Orlando Gutierrez Boronat Joel Brito John Suarez
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