Join the Path Toward Change in Cuba: Sign the Agreement for Democracy

A hundred opposition organizations inside and outside of the island ratified a road map for a transition in Cuba, at the Freedom Tower in Miami, Florida on Friday, October 25, 2019. 




This Agreement for Democracy was first signed and ratified by 57 organizations from inside and outside of Cuba on February 20, 1998. This event today was called "Path Toward Change" and had as its symbol the sunflower. You can sign the Agreement for Democracy here.

Twenty one years ago, 57 groups from inside and outside the island signed The Agreement for Democracy in Cuba. The Free Cuba Foundation signed The Agreement on February 20, 1998 at Florida International University at an event attended by 33 Cuban exile organizations. 

A total of 57 organizations (33 in the diaspora and 24 inside Cuba) signed this document in 1998 that was ratified today by a hundred opposition organizations. Below is the original text and list of signers translated to English.

Agreement for Democracy in Cuba

We, Cubans conscious of the need for transcendental change in the political, social and economic structures of our country, gather, beyond our diverse strategies for liberation, to affirm before our people and the international community the essential postulates that substantiate the democratic alternative to the despotism which currently prevails in our homeland.

We affirm that the Cuban nation is one, within the national territory and in diaspora. We believe that all Cubans have the right to be equal before the law and the nation, with full dignity that cannot be subject to any discrimination. We likewise understand that the present regime has shown itself incapable of assuring liberty and justice and of promoting well-being and human solidarity in our homeland. Due to this, from this point forward, we establish, through a great national consensus and as a clear alternative to the current oppression, this: Agreement for Democracy in Cuba.

We recognize as the fundamental principle of the new Republic that Cuba is one and independent, whose sovereignty resides in the people and functions through the effective exercise of representative multi-party democracy, which is the government of the majority with absolute respect for the minority.

All governments must respect the sovereignty of the people, therefore, at the end of the current tyrannical regime, the provisional or transition government shall be obligated to return sovereignty to the people by way of the following measures:

1. Guarantee the people’s participation in the decisions of the nation through the exercise of universal, direct, and secret voting to elect its representatives, and the right to seek public office.
2. Immediately issue a general amnesty for the liberation of all political prisoners, including those who have been sentenced for fictitious common crimes, and cancel the pending political cases against Cubans in exile, so as to facilitate their return to the homeland and their reintegration into the national society.
3. Organize an independent, impartial, and professional judiciary.
4. Recognize and protect the freedom of expression, of the press, of association, of assembly, of peaceful demonstration, profession, and religion.
5. Protect the Cuban people from arbitrary expulsion from their homes as well as against all forms of detention, search, confiscation or arbitrary aggression, and from violation of their correspondence, documents and other communications, and defend all Cubans’ rights to privacy and honor.
6. Immediately legalize all political parties and other organizations and activities of civil society.
7. Refer to the Constitution of 1940, when applicable, during the transition period and convoke free elections with the supervision of international organizations within a time period not greater than one year, for a Constituent Congress which will establish a Constitution and which, during its existence, shall have authority to legislate as well as to oversee the executive. Having thus achieved democratic legitimacy, it shall call general elections in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.
8. Recognize and protect the freedom of economic activity; the right to private property; the right to unionize, to bargain collectively and to strike; the Cuban people’s right to genuine participation in their economic development; access to public health and education, and initiate the reestablishment of civic values in education.
9. Take immediate steps to protect Cuba’s environmental security and protect and rescue the national patrimony.
10. Propitiate and guarantee the professionalism and political neutrality of the Armed Forces and create forces of public order whose rules of conduct shall adjust to the principles of this Agreement.

Cuba shall resurrect from its own ashes, but it is the sacred obligation of all Cubans – both within the oppressed island and in diaspora – to place our hands on the plough without looking backwards but rather into the deepest part of our hearts, to convert those ashes into fertile seeds of love and creation. Now, as 100 years ago, our national aspiration remains the construction of a Republic based on the formula of triumphant love:

WITH ALL AND FOR THE GOOD FOR ALL

Signed February 20, 1998 at Florida International University.

ACCIÓN CIVICA CUBANA 

José Luis Pujol

ACCIÓN DEMOCRÁTICA CUBANA 

Juan Carlos Acosta

AGENDA:CUBA 

Pedro L. Solares

ALIANZA CUBANA 

José Pérez Linares

ALIANZA DE JÓVENES CUBANOS 

Ana M. Carbonell

ASOCIACIóN INTEGRAL MAMBISA 

Pedro Luis Ferro

COORDINADORA INTERNACIONAL DE EX-PRISIONEROS POLÍTICOS CUBANOS Guillermo Rivas-Porta

COORDINADORA SOCIAL DEMÓCRATA 

Dr. Lino B. Fernández

COMITÉ CUBANO PRO DERECHOS HUMANOS 

Dr. Ricardo Bofill

CUBAN AMERICAN VETERANS ASSOCIATION 

Andrés García

CUBA DEMOCRATIQUE 

Lázaro Jordana

CUBA INDEPENDIENTE Y DEMOCRÁTICA (CID) 

Húber Matos

DIRECTORIO REVOLUCIONARIO DEMOCRÁTICO CUBANO 

Juan Fernandez de Castro y Orlando Gutiérrez

EX-CLUB (ASOC.DE EX-PRISIONEROS Y COMBATIENTES POLÍTICOS CUBANOS) 

Rolando Borges

EX-CONFINADOS POLITICOS DE LA UMAP 

Francisco García

FREE CUBA FOUNDATION 

John Suárez

FRENTE NACIONAL DEL PRESIDIO POLITICO CUBANO 

Rufino Alvarez

GRUPO DE TRABAJO DE LA DISIDENCIA INTERNA 

Ruth C. Montaner

HERMANOS AL RESCATE 

José Basulto

LA ROSA BLANCA 

Dr. Rafael Díaz-Balart

M.A.R. POR CUBA 

Sylvia G. Iriondo

MOVIMIENTO DEMOCRACIA 

Ramón Saúl Sánchez

MUNICIPIOS DE CUBA EN EL EXILIO 

Roberto Pereda

MOVIMIENTO 30 DE NOVIEMBRE FRANK PAÍS 

Israel Abreu Villareal

MUJER CUBANA 

Estela Rose

MUJERES LUCHADORAS POR LA DEMOCRACIA 

María Márquez

ORGANIZACIONES CUBANAS UNIDAS DE LA ZONA NORTE (OCU)

PARTIDO INDEPENDENTISTA CUBANO 

Alberto Martínez Echenique

PARTIDO ACCIÓN NACIONALISTA 

Sergio Ramos

(Representación en el exterior) PARTIDO SOCIAL DEMÓCRATA CUBANO 

Tony Santiago

PRESIDIO POLITICO HISTORICO CUBANO - CASA DEL PRESO 

Luis González Infante

PUENTE DE JOVENES PROFESIONALES CUBANOS 

Dr. Nicolás Gutiérrez

UNIÓN LIBERAL CUBANA 

Carlos Alberto Montaner

Original Spanish text follows:

Acuerdo por la Democracia en Cuba

Nosotros, cubanos conscientes de la necesidad de un cambio trascendente en las estructuras políticas, sociales y económicas de nuestro país, nos juntamos más allá de nuestras estrategias en favor de la liberación para afirmar ante nuestro pueblo y la comunidad internacional los postulados esenciales que substancien la alternativa democrática al despotismo que impera actualmente en nuestra patria.

Afirmamos que la nación cubana es una sola, en el territorio nacional y en la diáspora. Creemos que todos los cubanos tenemos el derecho a ser iguales ante la ley y la nación, con dignidad plena que no puede ser sometida a ninguna discriminación. Entendemos, asimismo, que el presente régimen se ha mostrado incapaz de asegurar la libertad y la justicia y de promover el bienestar general y la solidaridad humana en nuestra patria. Por eso desde ahora establecemos, mediante un gran consenso nacional y como una clara alternativa a la opresión actual, este

Acuerdo por la Democracia en Cuba

Reconocemos como principio fundamental de la Nueva República que Cuba es una e independiente, cuya soberanía reside en el pueblo y funciona mediante el ejercicio efectivo de la democracia representativa pluripartidista, que es el gobierno de la mayoría con respeto absoluto a la minoría.

Todo gobierno tiene que respetar la soberanía del pueblo, por tanto, al fin del régimen tiránico actual, el gobierno provisional o de transición tendrá la obligación de devolverle la soberanía al pueblo mediante las siguientes medidas:

1. Garantizar la participación del pueblo en las decisiones de la nación, a través del ejercicio del sufragio universal directo y secreto para elegir a sus representantes y el derecho a postularse para cargos públicos.
2. Promulgar de inmediato una amnistía general para la liberación de todos los presos políticos, incluyendo a aquellos condenados por falsos delitos comunes, y cancelar las causas políticas pendientes contra los cubanos exiliados, para facilitar su regreso a la patria y su reincorporación a la vida nacional.
3. Organizar un poder judicial independiente, imparcial y profesional.
4. Reconocer y proteger la libertad de expresión, de prensa, de asociación, de reunión, de manifestación pacífica, de profesión y religión.
5. Amparar a los cubanos contra todo tipo de desalojo arbitrario de sus viviendas así como contra toda detención, registro, allanamiento, confiscación o agresión arbitraria, y contra la violación de su correspondencia, documentos, y otras comunicaciones y defender el derecho de todos a la intimidad y el honor.
6. Legalizar de inmediato a todos los partidos políticos y demás organizaciones y actividades de la sociedad civil.
7. Referirse a la Constitución de 1940, en lo aplicable, durante el período de transición y convocar a elecciones libres con la supervisión de organismos internacionales, en un plazo no mayor de un aqo, para un Congreso Constituyente que establezca una Constitución y que durante su existencia pueda legislar y fiscalizar al Ejecutivo. Lograda así la legitimidad democrática, convocará a elecciones generales según establezca la Constitución.
8. Reconocer y proteger la libertad de gestión económica; el derecho a la propiedad privada; la libertad sindical; el derecho al convenio colectivo y a la huelga; el derecho a la participación real del pueblo cubano en el desarrollo económico; y el acceso a la salud y la educación públicas e iniciar el reestablecimiento de los valores cívicos en la misma.
9. Tomar con urgencia medidas para proteger la seguridad medioambiental y proteger y rescatar el patrimonio nacional.
10. Propiciar y garantizar la profesionalidad, dignidad y neutralidad política de las Fuerzas Armadas y crear cuerpos de orden público cuyas normas de conducta se ajusten a los principios de este Acuerdo.

Cuba resurgirá de sus propias cenizas, pero es obligación sagrada de todos los cubanos - tanto de los que viven en la isla oprimida como en la diáspora - poner las manos en el arado sin mirar atrás sino a lo más profundo de nuestros corazones, para convertir las cenizas en semilla fecunda de amor y creación. Ahora, como hace 100 aqos, nuestra aspiración nacional continúa siendo construir una República basada en la fórmula del amor triunfante:

CON TODOS Y PARA EL BIEN DE TODOS

Second Cuban National Gathering concludes in Puerto Rico

Augusto Monge, representing the Free Cuba Foundation, participated in the Second Cuban National Gathering in Puerto Rico and he sent us the agreements reached at this historic meeting.

SECOND CUBAN NATIONAL GATHERING AGREEMENTSIn the Second Meeting we ratified the "Agreement for Democracy" which was incorporated as an essential part of the Declaration of San Juan approved on August 15, 2015 at the First National Cuban Gathering considering that it contains the elements necessary to build "The New Republic of Cuba" that we all want and for which we struggle. Said agreement arose in 1998, was signed by most of the Cuban opposition in Cuba and in exile, and received international support.

During the Second National Cuban Gathering fundamental principles were agreed upon for the New Republic of Cuba and complementary points from a summary of the papers presented were reaffirmed. Prior to a new republic the following steps should include: 1) the establishment of a Commission against Impunity, 2) audit - with a retroactive nature - of the management of companies present in Cuba in order that the conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO) are respected, and 3) measures to ensure transparency and integrity and combat corruption in public administration and electoral processes.

Likewise, the creation of a Cuban National Congress was approved to form a common political-civic action front against the Castro dictatorship with the goal of re-establishing in the country the trampled rights, freedom and democracy in the face of action. The Congress will have a Coordinating Board composed of a section in Cuba and in exile that is empowered to create working committees.

 
Participants of the Second Cuban National Gathering also:

    1.) Registered their deep concern for the health of our brother in the struggle, Guillermo Fariñas, 2010 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought of the European Parliament. August 14th was proclaimed the Day of Nonviolence in Cuba in honor of his sacrifice and that of other activists who have risked their lives using the hunger strike as a tool for nonviolent struggle.

    2.) They agreed to pay special attention to the ruthless systematic repression exercised by the Cuban regime against members of the democratic peaceful opposition and also address concerns of the political prisoners and those who suffer religious persecution. For the treatment of our women, condemned in a special way, the repression against the Ladies in White and other women's organizations.

    3.) Denounced the repressive exercise of power as a root cause of all forms of violence and other abuses that affect Cuban society, and requested the support of governments, international institutions and all people of good will who defend human rights.

    4.) Denounced the indifference of the company Google in violation of its code of corporate conduct and demanded that it establish a correct policy to provide wireless internet service with no censorship and without dependence on the regime in benefit of the Cuban people.

    5.) Solicited the government of the United States to seek an agreement to connect an internet cable to Cuba (from the US or any other country) and, if necessary, to finance it with the frozen funds of the Republic of Cuba by the United States.

    6.) Expressed support for the Venezuelan people and the Table of Democratic Unity (MUD in Spanish), whose representatives accompanied us, in their struggle for human rights. They demanded the immediate release of Leopoldo Lopez and all political prisoners, and supported the demand that the recall referendum to be held this year as the current constitution stipulates.

    7.) Stressing that observers who supported us in this activity, expressed their solidarity with the Chinese and Tibetan people in their struggle against communist oppression and with the people of Ukraine, condemning the Russian invasion, demanding the return of the illegally annexed territories of Crimea  and the early release of prisoners of war.

    8.) Deeply thanked the tremendous efforts and negotiations made by United Cubans of Puerto Rico and the generosity of donors and the practical leadership of Guillermo Toledo and the support lent by his family.

In San Juan, Puerto Rico, on August 14, 2016.

 Full list of signers

Want a Free Cuba? Sign the Agreement

Add your name here to The Agreement for Democracy if you want to see a free, sovereign and democratic Cuba. The Free Cuba Foundation is a 1998 signatory of The Agreement.


The Agreement for Democracy, known as “El Acuerdo” emerged from within Cuba and exile in 1998.  It was signed that year by a broad ideological spectrum of the Cuban opposition to the dictatorship and reaffirmed in Lubin, Poland in 2007, with international support during a ceremony commemorating the massacre of polish workers in that city by the pro-soviet regime 25 years earlier.

The Agreement for Democracy is a unitary document that expresses and explains what units Cuba’s pro-democracy movement and details the steps that should be taken for the re-establishment of a multiparty representative democracy within a genuine Rule of Law. Some of the original signatories of El Acuerdo have passed away.  Many more have since signed it, and continue doing so.  As recently as January, 2015, hundreds of pro-democracy activists within Cuba added their names to El Acuerdo.

We, Cubans conscious of the need for transcendental change in the political, social and economic structures of our country, gather, beyond our diverse strategies for liberation, to affirm before our people and the international community the essential postulates that substantiate the democratic alternative to the despotism which currently prevails in our homeland.

We affirm that the Cuban nation is one, within the national territory and in diaspora. We believe that all Cubans have the right to be equal before the law and the nation, with full dignity that cannot be subject to any discrimination. We likewise understand that the present regime has shown itself incapable of assuring liberty and justice and of promoting well-being and human solidarity in our homeland. Due to this, from this point forward, we establish, through a great national consensus and as a clear alternative to the current oppression, this:

Agreement for Democracy in Cuba

We recognize as the fundamental principle of the new Republic that Cuba is one and independent, whose sovereignty resides in the people and functions through the effective exercise of representative multi-party democracy, which is the government of the majority with absolute respect for the minority.

All governments must respect the sovereignty of the people, therefore, at the end of the current tyrannical regime, the provisional or transition government shall be obligated to return sovereignty to the people by way of the following measures:

1. Guarantee the people’s participation in the decisions of the nation through the exercise of universal, direct, and secret voting to elect its representatives, and the right to seek public office.
2. Immediately issue a general amnesty for the liberation of all political prisoners, including those who have been sentenced for fictitious common crimes, and cancel the pending political cases against Cubans in exile, so as to facilitate their return to the homeland and their reintegration into the national society.
3. Organize an independent, impartial, and professional judiciary.
4. Recognize and protect the freedom of expression, of the press, of association, of assembly, of peaceful demonstration, profession, and religion.
5. Protect the Cuban people from arbitrary expulsion from their homes as well as against all forms of detention, search, confiscation or arbitrary aggression, and from violation of their correspondence, documents and other communications, and defend all Cubans’ rights to privacy and honor.
6. Immediately legalize all political parties and other organizations and activities of civil society.
7. Refer to the Constitution of 1940, when applicable, during the transition period and convoke free elections with the supervision of international organizations within a time period not greater than one year, for a Constituent Congress which will establish a Constitution and which, during its existence, shall have authority to legislate as well as to oversee the executive. Having thus achieved democratic legitimacy, it shall call general elections in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.
8. Recognize and protect the freedom of economic activity; the right to private property; the right to unionize, to bargain collectively and to strike; the Cuban people’s right to genuine participation in their economic development; access to public health and education, and initiate the reestablishment of civic values in education.
9. Take immediate steps to protect Cuba’s environmental security and protect and rescue the national patrimony.
10. Propitiate and guarantee the professionalism and political neutrality of the Armed Forces and create forces of public order whose rules of conduct shall adjust to the principles of this Agreement.

Cuba shall resurrect from its own ashes, but it is the sacred obligation of all Cubans – both within the oppressed island and in diaspora – to place our hands on the plough without looking backwards but rather into the deepest part of our hearts, to convert those ashes into fertile seeds of love and creation. Now, as 100 years ago, our national aspiration remains the construction of a Republic based on the formula of triumphant love:

WITH ALL AND FOR THE GOOD FOR ALL

Signed February 20, 1998. Reaffirmed: August, 31, 2007.
La Habana, Cuba.
Lubin, Poland.
Miami, Florida.