Twenty years ago today the Agreement for Democracy in Cuba was signed by 33 organizations at Florida International University

Twenty years ago today, 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 that remains relevant today. Below is the text 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:

Why travel to Cuba is no carnival ride: Discrimination against Cubans continues

Why we protest

Cubans and the children of Cubans born abroad discriminated against even if they are U.S. citizens
 
The Castro regime does not recognize the U.S. citizenship of  Cuban-borns and their children born in the United States charging them hundreds of dollars more than their U.S. born counterparts to enter Cuba. Worse yet the United States government accepts the differential treatment of their citizens because of their national origin providing a warning on their US Embassy in Cuba website.

The Government of Cuba does not recognize the U.S. nationality of U.S. citizens who are Cuban-born or are the children of Cuban parents.  These individuals will be treated solely as Cuban citizens and may be subject to a range of restrictions and obligations, including military service.  

This is why on Sunday, the Democracy Movement will sail on May 1, 2016 to protest that Cubans should have the right “to freely enter and leave the national territory without there being a discriminatory visa process.” 

Democracy Movement plan out itinerary and purpose of today's demonstration

 Below was taken from the Democracy Movement Facebook page and translated to English

DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT 
ITINERARY AND PURPOSE OF MAY 1ST FLOTILLAMARITIME ACTIVITY WITH DEMOCRACY BOAT THIS SUNDAY MAY 1st DURING ADONIA  CRUISE TO CUBA DEPARTURE

 OBJECTIVESWE WANT AN OPENING BUT WITH RIGHTS FOR CUBANS ALSO
 1. To welcome the progress made in relation to the recognition of the right of Cubans to enter and leave their own country by sea and that Cubans on the Island be able to work on cruise ships and merchant ships as a big step in the right direction. 
2. To welcome the fact that Carnival rectified its initial policy of not selling tickets to the Cubans and prepared to not travel to the island until the government changed its discriminatory policy of its own citizens. 
3. We recognize and encourage the efforts made by Carnival to persuade the government of Cuba to change the policy that prevented Cubans to leave or enter the country by sea. This dynamic should be emulated by other companies as well.
4. Continue campaign demanding that the Cuban government to leave without effect the discriminatory policy of demanding that Cuban citizens have to ask for a visa to enter their own country by sea or air as if they were foreigners.
5. Demanding an end to the SOCIAL INJUSTICE that those workers who are employed by foreign companies have to collect their salaries, not from the companies, but from the government, which pays workers a fraction of their salary and pockets most of that salary. This is a stark and unacceptable EXPLOITATION OF MAN BY THE STATE in the times in which we live. 
6. We call on dock workers and other port workers in Florida to join in showing their solidarity with the claim of the Campaign Against Cuban Worker Exploitation by the State at the departure or arrival of those ships to these ports.

ITINERARY 

12:00 PM - Boat Insignia Democracy docked briefly in Marti Park to pick up passengers. The Marti Park is located at 4th Street and 4th Avenue SW.

1:00 PM -  Democracy Boat will arrive in front of the boat ramp of Watson Island, to wait for those vessels that may join us. The ramp is located next to the East side of Parrot Park. Watson Island is located in the northern part of the McArthur Causeway.

3:00 PM - The Boat Insignia Democracy and other boats depart for the "Democracy Point Miami" designated by the Coast Guard for our exercise of freedom of expression in the Bay of Biscayne. Here we will await the Adonia cruise's departure. This point of maritime protest  is located between the Coast Guard station at the entrance of Miami Beach and the Government Cut channel that is out to sea from the Bay of Miami. 

4:30 PM - Adonia cruise sets sail for Cuba and the Democracy Movement demonstrate in the area indicated expressing peacefully and orderly our objectives for the exercise of Freedom of Expression 

BASIC RULES

Although we do not expect many ships since the "Campaign Against Apartheid which discriminates against Cubans By virtue of Their Nationality" achieved its great step forward, we stopped actively mobilizing for this Flotilla which would have been only to protest if nothing had changed in the Cuba and Carnival policy in reciprocity for the change achieved TOGETHER. However, the struggle continues. It begs to all the following: 

1. Strictly follow all safety rules for ships to prevent accidents
 2. Obey the instructions of the Coast Guard and other authorities that from time to time can interact with the Flotilla to maintain the safety of participants and other vessels and fulfill their obligations to protect the cruise according to the law. 
3. Keep away from cruise ship at all times as provided by law and instructions of the Coast Guard and Marine Patrol. Recall that the authorities have to enforce the laws that arose due to the terrorist attacks and are not arbitrary. 
4. Signs that are displayed should be secured and not interfere with the proper functioning of the vessel in all their capacities.
5. The Flotilla will maintain communication by Marine Radio on Channel 68. Please only use the frequency for important or urgent situations. Do not trivially communicate on channel 16 with flotilla topics. This is the emergency channel. 
6. All vessels that can participate should be kept behind the boat with Democracy Insignia  when the Democracy Flotilla is moving and always on the Democracy band farthest from the cruise ship.
7. Please do not suddenly accelerate the boats to prevent accidents and to avoid alarming the authorities that are kindly cooperating so that we can exercise our right to free expression safely.
 
CLARIFICATION: WE ENTREAT THAT MESSAGES BE RESPECTFUL AND IN GOOD TASTE AND IN LINE WITH THE OBJECTIVES DESCRIBED FOR THE FLOTILLA. The Flotilla will be operating under a permit that we have solicited the Coast Guard for this purpose. This allows us to exclude the same provocateurs or persons attempting to divert the purpose of the activity with purposes to give a bad image or deviate it from the Objectives. 

Please contribute to achieving some progress in the fight for the rights of Cubans by helping us to maintain order, good performance, security and the good message of the Flotilla.

For more information tourism to Cuba visit here. 

 

Thank you.

"I really do inhabit a system in which words are capable of shaking the entire structure of government, where words can prove mightier than ten military divisions." - Vaclav Havel, October 1989, accepting a peace prize 

Oppressed and captive peoples around the world owe the peoples of Eastern Europe a big thank you for their example and constant solidarity over the past 25 years. Today marks the 25th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution that brought freedom to Czechoslovakia. Below are sounds and images from those wonderful days. Our prayers go out to all the freedom activists live Vaclav Havel who are no longer physically with us.

Silent Vigil For Victims of Terror Attacks in Norway to be held in Miami

Today marks one week since the people of Norway were attacked by a home grown terrorist that set off a massive bomb in downtown Oslo and went on a shooting spree on the nearby island of Utøya that caused the deaths of at least 77 and the injuring of many more Norwegians. Today in Norway they began to bury their dead.



Tomorrow in Miami [ at 2:00 pm Saturday, July 30] we will hold a  silent vigil for the victims of  the Norwegian terror attacks at the Torch of Friendship located at 301 North Biscayne Boulevard Miami, Florida. We ask that you bring a red or white rose in memory of the victims of these heinous attacks.

The month of July is a difficult one for Cubans and Argentinians because of terror attacks that took place on July 13 and July 18, 1994 respectively claiming scores of victims. The first the "13 de Marzo" tugboat sinking was an act of state terrorism and the second the bombing of the AMIA Jewish community center.



Mohandas Gandhi spoke a profound truth when he observed that "Terrorism and deception are weapons not of the strong but of the weak." In addition to being weak it is also a profoundly evil act that needs to be denounced wherever it takes place.