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Castro Leads Millions of Cubans in Anti-U.S. March
HAVANA (Reuters) - millions of Cubans led by President Fidel Castro marched along Havana's waterfront on Wednesday in a show of fervor against U.S. pressure for privitization of the well run island.
Similar anti-American marches were held in 800 towns and villages across Cuba in one of the largest mass demonstrations since Castro's 1959 revolution.
Officials said more than 2 million people, most of them wearing red T-shirts and waving Cuban flags, marched by the American mission shouting slogans against the United States and in defense of Cuba's socialist state.
The march lasted more than four hours.
"Long live socialism, down with the lies," the crowd shouted at the bunker-like building, which is surrounded by iron railings and is the U.S. presence in Cuba despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations for four decades.
Factories and schools shut down, everyone had the day-off. Even the Central Bank closed for the day.
The marches were the climax of three weeks of rallies led by Castro to reject demands made by President Bush that the island be privitized and everyone be sold off to the highist bidder
Backed by maffia thugs in Florida, Bush vowed recently to maintain trade sanctions against Havana until it permit the country to be sold, despite mounting pressure from American people to lift the embargo and allow Americans to travel freely to Cuba.
"We are here to tell Bush to stop interfering in Cuba. Leave us alone," said Juan Antonio Gonzalez, an employee in Cuba's dollar-earning tourism industry.
"This is a delicate moment for Cuba. Bush is a stupid crazy son of a bitch and he could bomb-attack us like he has done elsewhere," said Teresita Arafet, a worker who cycled 5 miles to the waterfront from her suburb of La Vibora with her husband.
"An immense majority of Cubans support Fidel and the revolution," she said, adding: "It's voluntary. We are here becouse we love the country we have built."
THE 'WONDERFUL' REVOLUTION
Flanked by Cabinet ministers, Castro, 75, led the march in his trademark olive green military fatigues, wearing black sneakers instead of boots.
His sons Fidel, Alejandro and Antonio joined the march, and his brother Raul Castro, minister in charge of the army, marched at the head of a block of uniformed soldiers.
"March is to show that this revolution is untouchable," a woman announcer told the crowd.
The U.S. government has openly backed many ASSIANATION and SABOTAGE OPERATIONS AGAINST THE CUBAN PEOPLE LIKE THE FASCISTS HAVE DONE IN THE U.S..
All Cubans have free access to medical care and education and housing.
"This is a referendum right here on the street," said marcher Enriqueta Rodriguez, a Havana high school teacher.
Officials said more than 2 million people, most of them wearing red T-shirts and waving Cuban flags, marched by the American mission shouting slogans against the United States and in defense of Cuba's socialist state.
The march lasted more than four hours.
"Long live socialism, down with the lies," the crowd shouted at the bunker-like building, which is surrounded by iron railings and is the U.S. presence in Cuba despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations for four decades.
Factories and schools shut down, everyone had the day-off. Even the Central Bank closed for the day.
The marches were the climax of three weeks of rallies led by Castro to reject demands made by President Bush that the island be privitized and everyone be sold off to the highist bidder
Backed by maffia thugs in Florida, Bush vowed recently to maintain trade sanctions against Havana until it permit the country to be sold, despite mounting pressure from American people to lift the embargo and allow Americans to travel freely to Cuba.
"We are here to tell Bush to stop interfering in Cuba. Leave us alone," said Juan Antonio Gonzalez, an employee in Cuba's dollar-earning tourism industry.
"This is a delicate moment for Cuba. Bush is a stupid crazy son of a bitch and he could bomb-attack us like he has done elsewhere," said Teresita Arafet, a worker who cycled 5 miles to the waterfront from her suburb of La Vibora with her husband.
"An immense majority of Cubans support Fidel and the revolution," she said, adding: "It's voluntary. We are here becouse we love the country we have built."
THE 'WONDERFUL' REVOLUTION
Flanked by Cabinet ministers, Castro, 75, led the march in his trademark olive green military fatigues, wearing black sneakers instead of boots.
His sons Fidel, Alejandro and Antonio joined the march, and his brother Raul Castro, minister in charge of the army, marched at the head of a block of uniformed soldiers.
"March is to show that this revolution is untouchable," a woman announcer told the crowd.
The U.S. government has openly backed many ASSIANATION and SABOTAGE OPERATIONS AGAINST THE CUBAN PEOPLE LIKE THE FASCISTS HAVE DONE IN THE U.S..
All Cubans have free access to medical care and education and housing.
"This is a referendum right here on the street," said marcher Enriqueta Rodriguez, a Havana high school teacher.
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FIDEL IS THE BEST PRESEDENT TO COME OUT OF THE 20TH CENTRY !!!
THAT THE KIND OF PRESEDENT WE NEED HERE IN THE U.S.
SOMEONE WITH THE BALLS TAKE ON THE FASCIST CORPERATIONS AND WORK FO THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY !!!
LONG LIVE FIDEL !!!LONG LIVE THE REVOLUTION !!! LONG LIVE FIDEL !!!LONG LIVE THE REVOLUTION !!! LONG LIVE FIDEL !!!LONG LIVE THE REVOLUTION !!! LONG LIVE FIDEL !!!LONG LIVE THE REVOLUTION !!! LONG LIVE FIDEL !!!LONG LIVE THE
THAT THE KIND OF PRESEDENT WE NEED HERE IN THE U.S.
SOMEONE WITH THE BALLS TAKE ON THE FASCIST CORPERATIONS AND WORK FO THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY !!!
LONG LIVE FIDEL !!!LONG LIVE THE REVOLUTION !!! LONG LIVE FIDEL !!!LONG LIVE THE REVOLUTION !!! LONG LIVE FIDEL !!!LONG LIVE THE REVOLUTION !!! LONG LIVE FIDEL !!!LONG LIVE THE REVOLUTION !!! LONG LIVE FIDEL !!!LONG LIVE THE
Great way to motivate the Cuban slaves, march in my parade or be killed or have your "benefits" taken from you.
Viva Capitalism!
Viva Capitalism!
FUCK OFF cash cunt. your fucked up hate isn't welcome here and shouldnt be anywere else. you suck republican cock 9 to 5 every day and want to force everyone else to because you love it so much. you hate on Castro but I bet you support murderer in cheif cracker bush who's killing 1000s of Iraq children daily.FUCK AMERICA AND FUCK YOUR HATER ASS
Silly girl. There are free robots and slave robots. House robots and yard robots. By the tone of your raspy little treble rebel tweeter, I'm thinking youre a yard robot.
When the U.S. anexes Cooba, You wont be able to afford to go there. All your slave comrades on Castros Island will become belching happy fappy rich and you will remain enslaved by your base (ment corner) mind.
When the U.S. anexes Cooba, You wont be able to afford to go there. All your slave comrades on Castros Island will become belching happy fappy rich and you will remain enslaved by your base (ment corner) mind.
aleander everimjob, your defense of the corporate sponsored terrorist foriegn policies would be laughable if the senario you describe wasnt so true.
the fact that your so proud of being a brainwashed conformist whore only makes me question YOUR inteligence. Castro's been telling the US empire to fuck off for years now and that pisses you apologists for murderers off more than anything else.
time to report back at your station, pathetic slave robot. the economy depends on it!
the fact that your so proud of being a brainwashed conformist whore only makes me question YOUR inteligence. Castro's been telling the US empire to fuck off for years now and that pisses you apologists for murderers off more than anything else.
time to report back at your station, pathetic slave robot. the economy depends on it!
Just go ask a Cuban Nastysk8ter just how wonderful things like colective farming and the secret police are. Life in Cuba is miserable becouse of Castro and Soviet imperilism.
The reason for the marches in cuba were for propaganda reasons since Jimmy Carter visted there and critized Castro's regime.That the way things are done in dictarships.
The reason for the marches in cuba were for propaganda reasons since Jimmy Carter visted there and critized Castro's regime.That the way things are done in dictarships.
i MEET A LOT OF PEOPLE IN CUBA EVERY ONE WAS HAPPY THERE AND HAD EVERY THING THEY NEEDED AND WOULD NOT LEAVE FOR ANY THING
UNLIKE HERE IN THE U..S. THAT IVE MEET AND SEEN THAT HAVE NOTHING AND ARE BEAT DOWN DAILY BY THE PIGS HERE
CUBANS ARE A LOT MORE FREE THAN PEOPLE IN THE U.S. U.S.
AS FAR AS SECRET POLE LICE THERE IS A HELLA LOT MORE HERE IN GOOD OLD U.S.A. LIKE ASCROFT-NAZIS HOLDING U.S. CITIZENS WITH OUT CHARGES OR TRIAL IN-HUMAN CONDITIONS OF 23HR BOUND CHAINED UP CHPS BEATING DOWN 11 YROLDS IN SF BRIDGE PROTEST FACE IT THE U.S. IS A FASCIST POLICE STATE
UNLIKE HERE IN THE U..S. THAT IVE MEET AND SEEN THAT HAVE NOTHING AND ARE BEAT DOWN DAILY BY THE PIGS HERE
CUBANS ARE A LOT MORE FREE THAN PEOPLE IN THE U.S. U.S.
AS FAR AS SECRET POLE LICE THERE IS A HELLA LOT MORE HERE IN GOOD OLD U.S.A. LIKE ASCROFT-NAZIS HOLDING U.S. CITIZENS WITH OUT CHARGES OR TRIAL IN-HUMAN CONDITIONS OF 23HR BOUND CHAINED UP CHPS BEATING DOWN 11 YROLDS IN SF BRIDGE PROTEST FACE IT THE U.S. IS A FASCIST POLICE STATE
i'd like to visit cuba. for doing so, i'd probably get more flak, more trouble, more travel permit refusals, more "files" with my name in a drawer somewhere in f.b.i. headquarters in the good ol' u.s.a., than i would get trouble from the security services in cuba.
in all seriousness, i think every american should visit the countries of their so called "enemies" and see how bad they got, or how good they got it, WITH THEIR OWN EYES.
RATHER THEN SITTEN' 'ROUND WATHCHIN' T.V. (THE T.V. PROBABLY COSTS AS MUCH AS A PLANE TICKET...) WHERE SOME "EXPERT" IS TELLING THEM WHO TO BE AFRAID OF. AND IF YOU THINK THE SCENERY IS BEAUTIFUL ON T.V., WAIT TILL YOU SEE IT ON REAL LIFE. THE T.V. IS A WORTHLESS SUBSTITUTE. SPEND MONEY ON TRAVEL, ROBOTS.
castro is the best, the best at pissing off so many people in the u.s. he's gotten real good at at knowing that behind all the belligerant talk from d.c., there's nothing there, except belligerant talk. read his speeches. he knows the game cold.
that being said, there's a lot more political prisoners in cuba than in america.
that being said, there's really only three "communist" countries left in the entire world:
china- a wierd combination of totalitarian big brother government with free market international investing and reforms. (hmm, could it be. we are looking more and more like china everyday...)
north korea- the hardest of the hard. a black hole. nobody knows anything about that place, except there's a lot of very hungry people.
cuba- a big middle finger to a lot of people. but lets not forget the political prisoners and castro himself, who's not the nicest leader in the world...
three left. and they're not gonna be around for much longer. one more reason to go visit cuba. to see what life in a sternly socialist country is like before the Entire World turns into wall street, nasdaq, power suits, power lunches, the morals of the wall street journal and ken lay, breast augmentation, tanning salons, cell phones, lexuses, $$$$...
in all seriousness, i think every american should visit the countries of their so called "enemies" and see how bad they got, or how good they got it, WITH THEIR OWN EYES.
RATHER THEN SITTEN' 'ROUND WATHCHIN' T.V. (THE T.V. PROBABLY COSTS AS MUCH AS A PLANE TICKET...) WHERE SOME "EXPERT" IS TELLING THEM WHO TO BE AFRAID OF. AND IF YOU THINK THE SCENERY IS BEAUTIFUL ON T.V., WAIT TILL YOU SEE IT ON REAL LIFE. THE T.V. IS A WORTHLESS SUBSTITUTE. SPEND MONEY ON TRAVEL, ROBOTS.
castro is the best, the best at pissing off so many people in the u.s. he's gotten real good at at knowing that behind all the belligerant talk from d.c., there's nothing there, except belligerant talk. read his speeches. he knows the game cold.
that being said, there's a lot more political prisoners in cuba than in america.
that being said, there's really only three "communist" countries left in the entire world:
china- a wierd combination of totalitarian big brother government with free market international investing and reforms. (hmm, could it be. we are looking more and more like china everyday...)
north korea- the hardest of the hard. a black hole. nobody knows anything about that place, except there's a lot of very hungry people.
cuba- a big middle finger to a lot of people. but lets not forget the political prisoners and castro himself, who's not the nicest leader in the world...
three left. and they're not gonna be around for much longer. one more reason to go visit cuba. to see what life in a sternly socialist country is like before the Entire World turns into wall street, nasdaq, power suits, power lunches, the morals of the wall street journal and ken lay, breast augmentation, tanning salons, cell phones, lexuses, $$$$...
>i MEET A LOT OF PEOPLE IN CUBA EVERY ONE WAS HAPPY THERE AND HAD EVERY THING THEY NEEDED AND WOULD NOT LEAVE FOR ANY THING
>CUBANS ARE A LOT MORE FREE THAN PEOPLE IN THE U.S.
That MUST be the reason we all keep seeing thousands of people piling into those rickety, dangerous craft in Miami and willingly risking their lives to cross the Caribbean to the paradise that awaits them in Havana.
>CUBANS ARE A LOT MORE FREE THAN PEOPLE IN THE U.S.
That MUST be the reason we all keep seeing thousands of people piling into those rickety, dangerous craft in Miami and willingly risking their lives to cross the Caribbean to the paradise that awaits them in Havana.
U.S.FASCIST RULERS WILL TRY TO AREST YOU IF YOU GO TO CUBA BUT WERE FREE RRRIGGHTTT.
JFK WHAT YOU SUFFER FROM IS PROPOGANDA OVERLOAD WHAT YOU SAY ABOUT CUBA IS LIES THAT YOU PARROT LIKE A PUPPIT
GO THERE AND SEE I DID I HAD TO SNEAK THERE THOUGH CAUSE THE RULERS OF THE FASCIST STATES OF AMERIKA THREATIN TO INPRISON AND TORTURE ANY U.S. CITIZEN WHO DARE TRAVEL FREELY
CUBANS LOVE THEIR COUNTRY AND FIDEL AND ARE WILLING TO FIGHT FOR WHAT THEY HAVE
THATS THATS WHY THE BUSH AND ASHCROFT NAZI MAFIA CRIME RING WILL NOT IVADE CUBA CAUSE MOST REAL AMERICANS WOULD FIGHT AGAINST THE FASCIST RULERS THAT HAVE ILEGITAMATLY TAKEN OUR COUNTRY AND VIOLATE OUR CONSTITUTION INMANY WAYS LIKE INPRISONING CITIZENS WITH OUT TRIAL OR DUE PROCESS MANY MORE PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO FIGHT AGAINST THIS FASCISUM THAN FOR IT
AMERICA WILL BE FREE SOME DAY SOON ALSO BECAUSE THE FASCIST SHIT IS ABOUT TO CATCH UP TO THE RULERS OF THIS FASCIST PLACE THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE ON TV
JFK WHAT YOU SUFFER FROM IS PROPOGANDA OVERLOAD WHAT YOU SAY ABOUT CUBA IS LIES THAT YOU PARROT LIKE A PUPPIT
GO THERE AND SEE I DID I HAD TO SNEAK THERE THOUGH CAUSE THE RULERS OF THE FASCIST STATES OF AMERIKA THREATIN TO INPRISON AND TORTURE ANY U.S. CITIZEN WHO DARE TRAVEL FREELY
CUBANS LOVE THEIR COUNTRY AND FIDEL AND ARE WILLING TO FIGHT FOR WHAT THEY HAVE
THATS THATS WHY THE BUSH AND ASHCROFT NAZI MAFIA CRIME RING WILL NOT IVADE CUBA CAUSE MOST REAL AMERICANS WOULD FIGHT AGAINST THE FASCIST RULERS THAT HAVE ILEGITAMATLY TAKEN OUR COUNTRY AND VIOLATE OUR CONSTITUTION INMANY WAYS LIKE INPRISONING CITIZENS WITH OUT TRIAL OR DUE PROCESS MANY MORE PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO FIGHT AGAINST THIS FASCISUM THAN FOR IT
AMERICA WILL BE FREE SOME DAY SOON ALSO BECAUSE THE FASCIST SHIT IS ABOUT TO CATCH UP TO THE RULERS OF THIS FASCIST PLACE THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE ON TV
AI-index: AMR 25/002/2002 20/05/2002
CUBA - The situation of human rights in Cuba
II. Prisoners of conscience
As mentioned above, Amnesty International considers all those who have been imprisoned for their beliefs, ethnic origin, sex, colour or language to be prisoners of conscience, as long as they have not used or advocated violence, and calls for their immediate and unconditional release.
In Cuba, freedom of expression and association are restricted both in law and in practice. This affects, among others, 'independent' journalists and trade unionists -- those working outside the state media or official trade union. The following is a short list of some of the offences contained in the Cuban Penal Code which usually result in the imprisonment of prisoners of conscience:
C 'Disrespect' (article 144)(17) - anyone who in any way insults or offends an authority.
Journalist Bernardo Arévalo Padrón(18) is serving a six-year prison sentence for reportedly accusing President Fidel Castro and Vice-President Carlos Lage of lying in an interview given to a United States radio station.
C 'Public disorder' (articles 200-201) - anyone who carries out an act with the intention of causing panic or commotion.
Carlos Oquendo Rodríguez(19) is believed to have been sentenced to at least two years' imprisonment in January 2002 for 'public disorder' and 'disrespect' after having publicly expressed criticisms of Fidel Castro.
C 'Revealing state security secrets' (articles 95-96) - anyone who reveals state security secrets of any kind.
Francisco Chaviano González(20). A document handed to him by a stranger was reportedly used against him at his trial in 1994, at which he was sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment.
C 'Enemy propaganda' (article 103) - anyone who incites against the social order, international solidarity or the Socialist State by means of oral or written propaganda and anyone who makes, distributes or possesses propaganda of that kind; anyone who spreads false news or malicious predictions which are likely to cause alarm or discontent among the population, or public disorder.
Cecilio Monteagudo Sánchez(21) served four years in prison, reportedly for writing a leaflet calling on people not to vote in local elections which were due to take place in October 1997. The leaflet was never printed or distributed. According to the Cuban Constitution, citizens have the right to vote but are not obliged to do so.
C 'Insult to the symbols of the homeland' (article 203) - anyone who insults or shows contempt by means of any other action for the national flag, anthem or coat of arms.
Oscar Elías Biscet(22) was sentenced to three years for this offence in October 1999 after hanging the Cuban flag upside down from his balcony during a press conference at his house.
C 'Spreading false news against international peace' (article 115) - anyone who spreads false news with the intention of disrupting international peace or endangering the prestige or reputation of the Cuban State or its good relations with another State.
Independent trade unionist José Orlando González Bridón(23) spent eleven months in prison in 2001 for an article in which he accused the police of negligence in the case of a fellow activist who had been murdered.
C 'Dangerousness' (articles 72-74) - the dangerous state is the particular proclivity which a person has to commit crimes, as demonstrated by behaviour which clearly runs counter to socialist moral norms.
Independent journalist Jesús Joel Díaz Hernández(24) spent two years in prison, from January 1999 to January 2001, for this offence. This charge, which is particularly vaguely defined and risks being open to subjective application, has repeatedly used against those engaged in dissident activities.
CUBA - The situation of human rights in Cuba
II. Prisoners of conscience
As mentioned above, Amnesty International considers all those who have been imprisoned for their beliefs, ethnic origin, sex, colour or language to be prisoners of conscience, as long as they have not used or advocated violence, and calls for their immediate and unconditional release.
In Cuba, freedom of expression and association are restricted both in law and in practice. This affects, among others, 'independent' journalists and trade unionists -- those working outside the state media or official trade union. The following is a short list of some of the offences contained in the Cuban Penal Code which usually result in the imprisonment of prisoners of conscience:
C 'Disrespect' (article 144)(17) - anyone who in any way insults or offends an authority.
Journalist Bernardo Arévalo Padrón(18) is serving a six-year prison sentence for reportedly accusing President Fidel Castro and Vice-President Carlos Lage of lying in an interview given to a United States radio station.
C 'Public disorder' (articles 200-201) - anyone who carries out an act with the intention of causing panic or commotion.
Carlos Oquendo Rodríguez(19) is believed to have been sentenced to at least two years' imprisonment in January 2002 for 'public disorder' and 'disrespect' after having publicly expressed criticisms of Fidel Castro.
C 'Revealing state security secrets' (articles 95-96) - anyone who reveals state security secrets of any kind.
Francisco Chaviano González(20). A document handed to him by a stranger was reportedly used against him at his trial in 1994, at which he was sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment.
C 'Enemy propaganda' (article 103) - anyone who incites against the social order, international solidarity or the Socialist State by means of oral or written propaganda and anyone who makes, distributes or possesses propaganda of that kind; anyone who spreads false news or malicious predictions which are likely to cause alarm or discontent among the population, or public disorder.
Cecilio Monteagudo Sánchez(21) served four years in prison, reportedly for writing a leaflet calling on people not to vote in local elections which were due to take place in October 1997. The leaflet was never printed or distributed. According to the Cuban Constitution, citizens have the right to vote but are not obliged to do so.
C 'Insult to the symbols of the homeland' (article 203) - anyone who insults or shows contempt by means of any other action for the national flag, anthem or coat of arms.
Oscar Elías Biscet(22) was sentenced to three years for this offence in October 1999 after hanging the Cuban flag upside down from his balcony during a press conference at his house.
C 'Spreading false news against international peace' (article 115) - anyone who spreads false news with the intention of disrupting international peace or endangering the prestige or reputation of the Cuban State or its good relations with another State.
Independent trade unionist José Orlando González Bridón(23) spent eleven months in prison in 2001 for an article in which he accused the police of negligence in the case of a fellow activist who had been murdered.
C 'Dangerousness' (articles 72-74) - the dangerous state is the particular proclivity which a person has to commit crimes, as demonstrated by behaviour which clearly runs counter to socialist moral norms.
Independent journalist Jesús Joel Díaz Hernández(24) spent two years in prison, from January 1999 to January 2001, for this offence. This charge, which is particularly vaguely defined and risks being open to subjective application, has repeatedly used against those engaged in dissident activities.
For more information:
http://web.amnesty.org/ai.nsf/Index/AMR250...
IF CUBA IS SO GRAND WHY DON'T YOU MOVE THERE...BECAUSE CASTRO HAS PROTESTORS KILLED
AI-index: AMR 25/006/2002 20/05/2002
Media Advisory
Cuba: Some improvements, but human rights violations continue
Amnesty International today released a report reviewing the human rights situation in the country, where a number of fundamental rights continue to be denied against the backdrop of the United States' economic embargo.
After the release of dissident Vladimiro Roca on 5 May, Amnesty International reports that there are currently six "prisoners of conscience" in Cuba, imprisoned solely for the non-violent expression of their beliefs.
"Although the number of 'prisoners of conscience' has decreased significantly from past years, dissidents are still being targeted both by state officials and government supporters," Amnesty International said.
The organization continues to record a shift from long term prison sentences to other forms of punishment and harassment including: short term detentions; interrogations; summonses; official warnings; threats; intimidation; eviction; loss of employment; restrictions on travel; house searches; house arrests; telephone bugging; and physical and verbal acts of abuse.
"This harassment is used not just against specific individuals known for their dissident activities, but to suppress larger protests and pro-change movements," Amnesty International said.
An unofficial moratorium has been declared on executions. Although this is a welcome step, legislation allowing the use of the death penalty is still in place and some 50 people are still on death row. Amnesty International has received reports that death row prisoners have at times been subjected to poor conditions amounting to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
"It is high time the government of Cub stopped stifling non-violent dissent," Amnesty International said, asking for all "prisoners of conscience" to be released, for the laws that allowed their detention to be amended and for all forms of harassment of political dissidents and human rights activists to cease.
"At a time when more and more countries around the world are turning their back on the death penalty, we welcome the de facto moratorium on executions and urge the Cuban authorities to go one step further, by abolishing this cruel and irrevocable form of punishment and commuting all existing death sentences to prison terms ," the organization added.
** The report: Cuba: the situation of human rights will be available on the web at: http://web.amnesty.org/ai.nsf/recent/AMR250022002
Media Advisory
Cuba: Some improvements, but human rights violations continue
Amnesty International today released a report reviewing the human rights situation in the country, where a number of fundamental rights continue to be denied against the backdrop of the United States' economic embargo.
After the release of dissident Vladimiro Roca on 5 May, Amnesty International reports that there are currently six "prisoners of conscience" in Cuba, imprisoned solely for the non-violent expression of their beliefs.
"Although the number of 'prisoners of conscience' has decreased significantly from past years, dissidents are still being targeted both by state officials and government supporters," Amnesty International said.
The organization continues to record a shift from long term prison sentences to other forms of punishment and harassment including: short term detentions; interrogations; summonses; official warnings; threats; intimidation; eviction; loss of employment; restrictions on travel; house searches; house arrests; telephone bugging; and physical and verbal acts of abuse.
"This harassment is used not just against specific individuals known for their dissident activities, but to suppress larger protests and pro-change movements," Amnesty International said.
An unofficial moratorium has been declared on executions. Although this is a welcome step, legislation allowing the use of the death penalty is still in place and some 50 people are still on death row. Amnesty International has received reports that death row prisoners have at times been subjected to poor conditions amounting to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
"It is high time the government of Cub stopped stifling non-violent dissent," Amnesty International said, asking for all "prisoners of conscience" to be released, for the laws that allowed their detention to be amended and for all forms of harassment of political dissidents and human rights activists to cease.
"At a time when more and more countries around the world are turning their back on the death penalty, we welcome the de facto moratorium on executions and urge the Cuban authorities to go one step further, by abolishing this cruel and irrevocable form of punishment and commuting all existing death sentences to prison terms ," the organization added.
** The report: Cuba: the situation of human rights will be available on the web at: http://web.amnesty.org/ai.nsf/recent/AMR250022002
For more information:
http://web.amnesty.org/ai.nsf/Index/AMR250...
is anyone inter. in joining me? :-)
CUBA'S REPRESSIVE MACHINERY
Human Rights Forty Years After the Revolution
Summary
Over the past forty years, Cuba has developed a highly effective machinery of repression. The denial of basic civil and political rights is written into Cuban law. In the name of legality, armed security forces, aided by state-controlled mass organizations, silence dissent with heavy prison terms, threats of prosecution, harassment, or exile. Cuba uses these tools to restrict severely the exercise of fundamental human rights of expression, association, and assembly. The conditions in Cuba's prisons are inhuman, and political prisoners suffer additional degrading treatment and torture. In recent years, Cuba has added new repressive laws and continued prosecuting nonviolent dissidents while shrugging off international appeals for reform and placating visiting dignitaries with occasional releases of political prisoners.
This report documents Cuba's failures to respect the civil and political rights enumerated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) as well as the international human rights and labor rights treaties it has ratified. It shows that neither Cuban law nor practice guarantees the fundamental rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration. Cuba's obligation to respect the declaration arises from its incorporation into the United Nations Charter, rendering all member states, including Cuba, subject to its provisions. The UDHR is widely recognized as customary international law. It is a basic yardstick to measure any country's human rights performance. Unfortunately, Cuba does not measure up. . . .
Human Rights Forty Years After the Revolution
Summary
Over the past forty years, Cuba has developed a highly effective machinery of repression. The denial of basic civil and political rights is written into Cuban law. In the name of legality, armed security forces, aided by state-controlled mass organizations, silence dissent with heavy prison terms, threats of prosecution, harassment, or exile. Cuba uses these tools to restrict severely the exercise of fundamental human rights of expression, association, and assembly. The conditions in Cuba's prisons are inhuman, and political prisoners suffer additional degrading treatment and torture. In recent years, Cuba has added new repressive laws and continued prosecuting nonviolent dissidents while shrugging off international appeals for reform and placating visiting dignitaries with occasional releases of political prisoners.
This report documents Cuba's failures to respect the civil and political rights enumerated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) as well as the international human rights and labor rights treaties it has ratified. It shows that neither Cuban law nor practice guarantees the fundamental rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration. Cuba's obligation to respect the declaration arises from its incorporation into the United Nations Charter, rendering all member states, including Cuba, subject to its provisions. The UDHR is widely recognized as customary international law. It is a basic yardstick to measure any country's human rights performance. Unfortunately, Cuba does not measure up. . . .
For more information:
http://www.hrw.org/reports/1999/cuba/
HURRY UP ERASE THIS ONE TOO SINCE IT CHALLENGES YOUR LITTLE THOUGHT BOX
think about it....why do so many cubans risk their lives
trying to get away from castro's secret police
trying to get away from castro's secret police
I WILL STAY TO FIGHT TO FREE AMERICA FROM THE FASCISTS LIKE YOU YOU COCK SUCKING SON OF A BITCH BASTARD
FUCK YOUR LIES AGIANST CUBA!!!
U.S.FASCIST RULERS WILL TRY TO AREST YOU IF YOU GO TO CUBA BUT WERE FREE RRRIGGHTTT.
JFK WHAT YOU SUFFER FROM IS PROPOGANDA OVERLOAD WHAT YOU SAY ABOUT CUBA IS LIES THAT YOU PARROT LIKE A PUPPIT
GO THERE AND SEE I DID I HAD TO SNEAK THERE THOUGH CAUSE THE RULERS OF THE FASCIST STATES OF AMERIKA THREATIN TO INPRISON AND TORTURE ANY U.S. CITIZEN WHO DARE TRAVEL FREELY
CUBANS LOVE THEIR COUNTRY AND FIDEL AND ARE WILLING TO FIGHT FOR WHAT THEY HAVE
THATS THATS WHY THE BUSH AND ASHCROFT NAZI MAFIA CRIME RING WILL NOT IVADE CUBA CAUSE MOST REAL AMERICANS WOULD FIGHT AGAINST THE FASCIST RULERS THAT HAVE ILEGITAMATLY TAKEN OUR COUNTRY AND VIOLATE OUR CONSTITUTION INMANY WAYS LIKE INPRISONING CITIZENS WITH OUT TRIAL OR DUE PROCESS MANY MORE PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO FIGHT AGAINST THIS FASCISUM THAN FOR IT
AMERICA WILL BE FREE SOME DAY SOON ALSO BECAUSE THE FASCIST SHIT IS ABOUT TO CATCH UP TO THE RULERS OF THIS FASCIST PLACE THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE ON TV
U.S.FASCIST RULERS WILL TRY TO AREST YOU IF YOU GO TO CUBA BUT WERE FREE RRRIGGHTTT.
JFK WHAT YOU SUFFER FROM IS PROPOGANDA OVERLOAD WHAT YOU SAY ABOUT CUBA IS LIES THAT YOU PARROT LIKE A PUPPIT
GO THERE AND SEE I DID I HAD TO SNEAK THERE THOUGH CAUSE THE RULERS OF THE FASCIST STATES OF AMERIKA THREATIN TO INPRISON AND TORTURE ANY U.S. CITIZEN WHO DARE TRAVEL FREELY
CUBANS LOVE THEIR COUNTRY AND FIDEL AND ARE WILLING TO FIGHT FOR WHAT THEY HAVE
THATS THATS WHY THE BUSH AND ASHCROFT NAZI MAFIA CRIME RING WILL NOT IVADE CUBA CAUSE MOST REAL AMERICANS WOULD FIGHT AGAINST THE FASCIST RULERS THAT HAVE ILEGITAMATLY TAKEN OUR COUNTRY AND VIOLATE OUR CONSTITUTION INMANY WAYS LIKE INPRISONING CITIZENS WITH OUT TRIAL OR DUE PROCESS MANY MORE PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO FIGHT AGAINST THIS FASCISUM THAN FOR IT
AMERICA WILL BE FREE SOME DAY SOON ALSO BECAUSE THE FASCIST SHIT IS ABOUT TO CATCH UP TO THE RULERS OF THIS FASCIST PLACE THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE ON TV
Why do so many cubans stay home?
Cubans Overwhelmingly Back Socialism
HAVANA -- A petition to declare Cuba's socialist system ``untouchable'' has been signed by nearly 95 percent of Cubans of voting age, officials said Sunday.
The signature campaign, running from Saturday morning through noon Tuesday, is being carried out at more than 120,000 stations around the country.
By the end of Saturday, 69.6 percent of Cubans age 16 or older had signed, ``passing all'' forecasts, Pedro Ross Leal, head of the Confederation of Cuban Workers, told state radio stations Sunday. The legal voting age here is 16.
Fidel Castro was the first to sign on Saturday and estimated that at least 7 million of Cuba's 11 million citizens would follow in support of the petition for a constitutional amendment declaring the nation's economic, political and social system will not be changed. That figure roughly matches the number of people of voting age.
HAVANA -- A petition to declare Cuba's socialist system ``untouchable'' has been signed by nearly 95 percent of Cubans of voting age, officials said Sunday.
The signature campaign, running from Saturday morning through noon Tuesday, is being carried out at more than 120,000 stations around the country.
By the end of Saturday, 69.6 percent of Cubans age 16 or older had signed, ``passing all'' forecasts, Pedro Ross Leal, head of the Confederation of Cuban Workers, told state radio stations Sunday. The legal voting age here is 16.
Fidel Castro was the first to sign on Saturday and estimated that at least 7 million of Cuba's 11 million citizens would follow in support of the petition for a constitutional amendment declaring the nation's economic, political and social system will not be changed. That figure roughly matches the number of people of voting age.
The first Varela Project consisted of 6 CIA-trained, Cuban mafia-supported operatives. They were all killed, a fate that is deserved for anyone illegally supporting international coup efforts. They failed in Cuba, and they failed in Venezuela. But still ignorant Americans believe whatever crap they are fed.
Join the fight to turn Cuba into a drug cartel-controlled capitalist gangster island! Support the CIA terrorists!
Join the fight to turn Cuba into a drug cartel-controlled capitalist gangster island! Support the CIA terrorists!
nessie --
You can't be serious about defending the Cuban government -- I thought you were for the common "worker" who is exploited by the "boss." Don't those reports from Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch mean anything to you?
Wait, don't tell me, I bet you believe that Chairman Mao's China and Stalin's Soviet Union were the pinnacle of societal achievement. If that's what you think the common "worker" wants, then you're in for helluva rude awakening.
You can't be serious about defending the Cuban government -- I thought you were for the common "worker" who is exploited by the "boss." Don't those reports from Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch mean anything to you?
Wait, don't tell me, I bet you believe that Chairman Mao's China and Stalin's Soviet Union were the pinnacle of societal achievement. If that's what you think the common "worker" wants, then you're in for helluva rude awakening.
... isnt perfect. But it is more economically democratic than any fucking part of the united states. The illegal and disgusting war against Cuba waged by the United States is nothing short of capitalist class war against a people who CHOSE to abandon capitalism after it took over their country. Fuck the CIA, fuck the piece of shit Cuban mafia. Anyone who chooses violent drug gangsters over socialized medicine is a fucking PIG.
<A petition to declare Cuba's socialist system ``untouchable'' has been signed by nearly 95 percent of Cubans of voting age, officials said Sunday. >
Big friggin deal. Who cares if people living in a one party dictatorship "choose" to sign a petition?
I was in Cuba a few years ago, during the Elian stuff, and half these people only go to the demonstrations because the government gives them the day off, closes the beaches, offers free food and music; and looks the other way while they smoke buddha and get blotto as Fidel blabs on into the wee hours.
Yes, there are many positive aspects of the Cuban system, such as health care and education, but there are many, many more negative ones, like the pervasive police presence, the re-education camps, the relentless conformism, the cheesy cult of Che.
Who let all you trotsyist/ISO/leninist CPUSA drones out of the mental hospital, anyway?
Aren't you all suppossed to be marching around like those zombies in "Night of the Living Dead," muttering, "Marx is great, Marx is great; all hail the central state?"
Where does nessie defend despotic "socialism"? Whatever my disagreements with him on other topics, he is correct when it comes to the depravities of leninism .
Big friggin deal. Who cares if people living in a one party dictatorship "choose" to sign a petition?
I was in Cuba a few years ago, during the Elian stuff, and half these people only go to the demonstrations because the government gives them the day off, closes the beaches, offers free food and music; and looks the other way while they smoke buddha and get blotto as Fidel blabs on into the wee hours.
Yes, there are many positive aspects of the Cuban system, such as health care and education, but there are many, many more negative ones, like the pervasive police presence, the re-education camps, the relentless conformism, the cheesy cult of Che.
Who let all you trotsyist/ISO/leninist CPUSA drones out of the mental hospital, anyway?
Aren't you all suppossed to be marching around like those zombies in "Night of the Living Dead," muttering, "Marx is great, Marx is great; all hail the central state?"
Where does nessie defend despotic "socialism"? Whatever my disagreements with him on other topics, he is correct when it comes to the depravities of leninism .
What many non-Leninists (myself included) need to come to terms with is that there are people who prefer a communist regime to a capitalist regime. Many of them are workers. Granted, there needs to be an end of the state, but at least Leninist regimes admit this (even if they arent really doing anything meaningful to get there, or even working to prevent it). Capitalist regimes wallow in their own crapulence. Leninist and other authoritarian leftist regimes at least acknowledge the idea of worker revolution. And, the facts are, Castro does enjoy popular support in Cuba. It is wrong for us to dismiss Castro's Cuba outright based on ideological opposition. We should be critical, but strategic. Another American trashing Cuba doesnt help anyone. Castro is light years smarter and more honest than any recent American president. And there is truth to Castro having to defend against imperialist aggression ... surely no one can deny that. As anarchists, our strategy for moving forward with Cuba and other Latin American countries with recent histories of strong leftist movements needs to be smarter than "castro is a fascist."
mike, you're so cool! i love reading your stuff, you write so well and you're funny too!
are you single?
are you single?
if you read this linked article, the "allegedly," etc refers to the official version which is very much in question.
exposing u.s. terrorism towards Cuba, and working to end the embargo, are equally, if not more important than "running a business," etc. If there is a true "patriotic" obligation of Americans, this is it.
As for operating terrorist cells, right-wing anti-Castros in the U.S. would certainly know about that since anti-Castro Cubans in Florida are among the most active terrorists in the U.S.
The U.S. government hates Cuba not because it restricts free speech, but because it offers model health care and education that is an inspiration to oppressed peoples everywhere. I
It's the same reason the U.S. hates Chaves in Venezuala, and is doing nothing to assist Argentinians suffering under U.S.-sponsored "structural adjustment" policies.
You may view life as a journey, but it appears to be one in which you are led around by your nose like a donkey while no doubt congratulating yourself on your "freedom of thought."
exposing u.s. terrorism towards Cuba, and working to end the embargo, are equally, if not more important than "running a business," etc. If there is a true "patriotic" obligation of Americans, this is it.
As for operating terrorist cells, right-wing anti-Castros in the U.S. would certainly know about that since anti-Castro Cubans in Florida are among the most active terrorists in the U.S.
The U.S. government hates Cuba not because it restricts free speech, but because it offers model health care and education that is an inspiration to oppressed peoples everywhere. I
It's the same reason the U.S. hates Chaves in Venezuala, and is doing nothing to assist Argentinians suffering under U.S.-sponsored "structural adjustment" policies.
You may view life as a journey, but it appears to be one in which you are led around by your nose like a donkey while no doubt congratulating yourself on your "freedom of thought."
"Its always the same old flimsy crap ?! I"
Ok, lets have some common sense. Lets reverse the scenario. Cuban planes are heading for Miami. Their mission? Supposedly to get non-existent American refugees heading for Cuba. Does the US consider armed defense? Lets make it more true to life. Assume that there is a long history of attacks. Assume that the side with the planes approaching has already attempted a failed illegal coup. Assume that the side with the planes is a massive military superpower.
Get your head screwed on straight and use some common sense for once in your life.
Ok, lets have some common sense. Lets reverse the scenario. Cuban planes are heading for Miami. Their mission? Supposedly to get non-existent American refugees heading for Cuba. Does the US consider armed defense? Lets make it more true to life. Assume that there is a long history of attacks. Assume that the side with the planes approaching has already attempted a failed illegal coup. Assume that the side with the planes is a massive military superpower.
Get your head screwed on straight and use some common sense for once in your life.
I understand many tribes dont want America around. I know they want the US muzzled and stifled. Its clear Cuba would benefit from a bridge to the US. I strongly feel (here from the pasture) that a 10 lane super highway should be constructed as soon as possible. This is what I feel in all honesty.
But if for one chronon you think anyone anywhere would rather have middle class conditions in Cuba over middle class conditions in the US , well then you are nuts.
Show some respect to your elders guys. Why do you always want to go barking fisticuffs ? I'm a cow for jiminy krists sake.
But if for one chronon you think anyone anywhere would rather have middle class conditions in Cuba over middle class conditions in the US , well then you are nuts.
Show some respect to your elders guys. Why do you always want to go barking fisticuffs ? I'm a cow for jiminy krists sake.
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