CUBA VIOLATES THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

The United Nations General Assembly resolution 217 A (III) of December 10, 1948 adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The preamble of this document states the U.N. “...shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.” Unmistakably, the work of the United Nations goes beyond promoting human rights and freedoms. To enforce compliance, the U.N. must take whatever progressive measures are necessary against Member States that fail to abide by this resolution.

Christine Chanet, Personal Representative of the High Commissioner on Human Rights for Cuba, issued a report condemning the abuse of human rights in Cuba. She made various recommendations. Among them, she called for a stop to judicial proceedings against citizens trying to exercise the rights granted by articles 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Article 18 states: “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.”

Article 19 states: “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”

Article 20 states:

(1) “Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.”

(2) “No one may be compelled to belong to an association.”

Article 21 states:

(1) “Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.”

(2) “Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in this country.”

(3) “The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.”

Article 22 states: “Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.”

Anyone who is familiar with the situation in Cuba can attest to the violation of all the aforementioned rights. There is no freedom of thought. If you speak out against the government, you go to jail for as many years they feel you deserve punishment. Due to international pressure, every now and then some political prisoners go home. However, Castro’s “rapid response brigades” make their lives miserable, if they continue to exercise their rights to freedom of thought and speech. These mobs trespass dissidents’ dwellings at will, cause damage to personal property, and yell insults from doors and windows. Some dissidents receive beatings on the streets.

The Cuban government’s violation of Article 20 comes at least in three forms I can think of. There is no freedom of peaceful assembly and association. First, there are government-sponsored vigilance committees in every neighborhood. These stoolies are quick to inform the police when they spot any unusual movement or gathering in their area. Second, Castro’s enforcement agencies do everything in their power to block or disrupt scheduled meetings of dissident organizations. At times, when the government has intelligence of an upcoming meeting, they intercept and detain know participants long enough to spoil the reunion. I am sure the Cuban government would resort to a rougher treatment of dissidents, were it not for some of the international recognition and support these groups have received. Third, regarding the second part of Article 20 that says a person may not be compelled to belong to an association, if you do not follow the communist party line, you are an outcast in Cuba. The government is the only employer. If you do not attend meetings or rallies, and parrot the latest slogans of the dictatorship, you may find yourself out of a job. You and your family will not eat the little there is to eat down there.

In addition to the above, there is no freedom of the press, no access to the Internet or foreign sources of information, no political parties to challenge the communist imperialist monopoly on power, and no free elections. Ordinary Cubans suffer shameful discrimination, since there are hotels, stores and hospitals reserved exclusively for tourists. On the subject of the judicial system, there is no justice. Forget about a fair and impartial hearing. The communist constitution Cuba enacted ensures the penalization of those who disagree with the government’s policies. No doubt, Castro’s regime deserves condemnation in other areas, but the complaints cited here are sufficient to call for the elimination of the communist rule in Cuba. Thousands of Cubans have died and suffered in these past 47 years of totalitarianism. It is time the United Nations takes those progressive measures necessary to enforce compliance with resolution 217 A (III), the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Christine Chanet’s report also called for an end to the U.S. embargo against Cuba, but that would only help that dictatorship remain in power. What would make sense is for the United Nations to join the United States in the embargo against Cuba. Even better, go for a blockade. For Cuba, nothing less than a full-fledged democracy is acceptable. A transition government that includes the system or the people in charge today is out of the question. The chronological sequence of events should go like this: first, we eliminate the source of all the problems in Cuba, namely, the Castro regime and, second, the United States lifts the embargo. That is the way it should be. Under no circumstances, should the U.S. weaken or abolish the embargo unless Cuba is free. Almost half a century is too much for any one entity to be in control of a country, especially when it thwarts human development and progress. Act now United Nations, if you believe in your own proclamations. If China, Russia, North Korea, Iran, Syria, Venezuela and others oppose necessary measures against Cuba, that should not prevent the free nations of the world from taking action. Do not allow the advocates and practitioners of despotism to deny the people of Cuba the freedom and rights to which they are entitled.

Recommended Reading: Ercian Testament - Part Three, chapter 27 “Proligion Revisited.”