Welcoming Cuba Internet Freedom Conference, and Denouncing Google Complicity with Castro

Free Cuba Foundation Welcomes Cuba Internet Freedom Conference in Miami, Warns of Limitations, and Google Complicity with the Castro Regime 

 

MIAMI, Sept. 13, 2016 /Free Cuba Foundation/ --The Free Cuba Foundation welcomes the Cuba Internet Freedom Conference and its reminder that the United Nations has declared Internet access a basic Human right. Nevertheless, it is important to recall that the Internet is not a panacea:

 "We must not mistake the Internet which is a tool, for a strategy to achieve democratic change in Cuba; even so, we must demand that it the Internet be uncensored and Independent of state control. Although Google has demonstrated the technical capability of its Loon project which claims to offer balloon powered Internet for everyone, it refuses to do so where it counts most. Instead of a disrupter Google seeks to act in complicity with the Castro regime."

"Google is choosing to stand with the oppressor rather then with the oppressed, in clear violation of their "Don't Be Evil" code of conduct, partnering with an octogenarian Socialist Dictatorship instead of in favor of millions of Cuban youth; is not only wrong but a terrible business decision."  - said Augusto Monge of the Free Cuba Foundation and elected member of the Coordinating Council of the Congress of the Cuban National Conference.

The emphasis on Internet technology by pro-democracy activists should not overlook the role that companies such as Yahoo and Google have played in China to censor information and target dissidents for the dictatorship there in order to conduct business. These practices are now being carried out in Cuba by Google. 

This is why it was so important that participants at the Second Cuban National Gathering in Puerto Rico representing activists from inside and outside of Cuba on August 16, 2016, unanimously voted and agreed on the following point:

"DENOUNCED THE INDIFFERENCE OF THE COMPANY GOOGLE IN VIOLATION OF ITS OWN 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."

The Obama administration's Cuba policy that focuses on credits, micro-enterprises, travel, and internet will not lead to a democratic opening in Cuba, not in the short, medium, or long term. Instead, it will serve as a distraction that will prolong the life of the dictatorship in Cuba and the Castro regime's power and influence abroad.

Free Cuba Foundation on twitter: @freecubafndtn Free Cuba Foundation Blog: http://freecubafoundation.blogspot.com/

 

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/free-cuba-foundation-welcomes-cuba-internet-freedom-conference-in-miami-warns-of-limitations-and-google-complicity-with-the-castro-regime-300326816.html

SOURCE Free Cuba Foundation

Human rights defender returns to Cuba her home occupied, and her attacker threatening to murder her

 Sirley Ávila León is back in Cuba and her life is in danger

 Sirley Ávila León makes the sign of Liberation at Miami International Airport

On Wednesday, September 7, 2016 we reported on Sirley Ávila León's return to Cuba where she was incommunicado and unable to be reached until the following day due to blocked phones, and a delayed text message.

Marti News on September 9, 2016 reported on a phone interview with Sirley, who is currently in Las Tunas at her mother's home, news that is troubling. First, that her property had been illegally taken by the Cuban government and given to others to occupy her home.


Secondly, and more disturbing was the report that Osmany Carrión, the man who brutally attacked her on May 24, 2015 and was supposedly sentenced to six years in prison, is free and threatening to finish the job.

Sirley Ávila León pictured above while in Miami receiving care

The "job" Mr Carrión refers to is the attempted murder by machete attack of Sirley Ávila León. She lost her left hand while raising it to block a machete blow to the head that would have surely killed her wielded by Carrión. He continued the attack striking again at her head and she blocked the blow with her right arm which the machete cut deep and through the bone, breaking it. At the same time Osmany's wife grabbed the severed hand and threw it into a filthy pig pen contaminating it so that it could not be re-attached. The attack went on with further machete blows to both knees leaving her crippled. 

Osmany Carrión should have been charged with aggravated attempted murder not with the lesser charge of "bodily injury" that only sentenced him to six years in prison. This trial and sentence have been revealed to be a farce because Carrión is already free and making death threats against Sirley's life to her family. This was done in an effort to terrorize her and her family so that Sirley would not return to Cuba.

Osmany Carrión, the man who did this to Sirley in Cuba says he'll finish the job

 Sirley Ávila León was a delegate of the Municipal Assembly of People’s Power that although dissenting from government policies that harmed her constituency retained popular support despite the attempts to intimidate the electorate. This is why they have tried to get rid of her and why her life remains in danger.

Sirley Ávila returned to Cuba today, whereabouts unknown

#SaveSirley

Sirley Ávila León: whereabouts unknown

SOS for Sirley Ávila returned to Cuba today, no news of her whereabouts 

Link of video taken before boarding an American Airlines plane bound for Holguín, Cuba: https://youtu.be/d-lIpE9VjzE 

Miami, September 7, 2016. The Cuban human rights activist Sirley Ávila León boarded the American Airlines flight 1359 bound for the city of Holguin that landed on the island at 4:13 PM on Wednesday September 7; nevertheless Ávila León’s whereabouts remain unknown.

"She spent six months in Miami receiving medical attention after suffering on May 24, 2015 an attack orchestrated by State Security agents when an individual attacked her with a machete to kill her and chopped off her left hand and left lame her right shoulder and both knees," said human rights activist John Suarez.

Five days ago, on September 2, Sirley Ávila León denounced from her twitter account that for several days she had been unable to communicate with her son, and holds responsible the regime of the Castros for what could have happened to him.

"I know the capacity of the Castros to lie and invent crimes, so I hold them responsible for what may happen to me and my son," she wrote in a message over twitter where she also added that she would return to the island.

"Most likely she has been detained, as she has not communicated as planned in the hours following her return to Cuba. During her stay in the United States, Sirley testified before international organizations and the United States Congress on the repression and violence of the Castro regime," added Suarez.

On September 2, 2015, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights of the Organization of American States (OAS) issued precautionary measures in favor of Avila Leon (precautionary measure).

The video attached to this release was made at the airport in Miami to be released if there was no news of her three hours after her arrival in Cuba.

Hereby issue a call to the international community, and democratic governments of the world, as well as human rights activists to ask officials at the Cuban embassies in their respective countries where is Sirley Avila León.

Please help Sirley!! 

Sirley Ávila León regreso a Cuba hoy, su paradero desconocido

#SalvarSirley

Sirley Ávila León: whereabouts unknown

SOS por Sirley Ávila de regreso en Cuba hoy, sin noticias de su paradero

Enlace de video tomado antes de abordar el avión de American Airlines con destino a Holguín, Cuba: https://youtu.be/d-lIpE9VjzE

Miami, 7 de septiembre de 2016. La activista de derechos humanos cubana Sirley Ávila León abordó el vuelo 1359 de American Airlines con destino a la ciudad de Holguín que aterrizó en la Isla a las 4:13PM de este miércoles 7 de septiembre, sin embargo se desconoce el paradero de Ávila León hasta el momento.

“Se encontraba desde hace 6 meses en Miami recibiendo atención médica después que en mayo 24 de 2015 sufriera un atentado orquestado por agentes de la Seguridad del Estado, cuando un individuo la atacó con un machete para asesinarla y le cercenó el brazo izquierdo y le dejó lisiados hombro y rodillas”, explicó John Suárez, activista de derechos humanos.

Hace cinco días, el 2 de septiembre, Sirley Ávila León denunció desde su cuenta de twitter que por varios días no había podido comunicarse con su hijo, y que hacía responsable al régimen de los Castro de lo que hubiese ocurrido a su hijo.

“Conozco la capacidad de los Castro de mentir e inventar crímenes, por lo que los hago responsables por lo que me pueda pasar a mí y a mi hijo”, escribió en el mensaje de twitter donde además agregó que regresaría a la Isla.

“Lo más probable es que haya sido detenida, pues no se ha comunicado como tenía previsto en las siguientes horas posteriores a su regreso a Cuba. Durante su estancia en Estados Unidos, Sirley denunció ante entidades internacionales y el Congreso de los Estados Unidos la represión y agresiones del régimen castrista”, agregó Suárez.

El 2 de septiembre de 2015, la Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos de la OEA emitió medidas cautelares en favor de Ávila León (precautionary measure).

El video que se adjunta a este comunicado fue realizado en el Aeropuerto de Miami para ser publicado en caso de que no se tuviera noticia de ella tres horas después de su llegada a Cuba.

Por este medio se hace un llamado a la comunidad internacional y a los gobiernos democráticos del mundo, así como a activistas de derechos humanos que pregunten a las autoridades de Cuba en las respectivas embajadas cubanas de sus países dónde se encuentra Sirley Avila León.

¡¡Por favor ayuden a Sirley!!

With Caracas #ConCaracas at the Freedom Tower in Miami

Sights and sounds from the demonstration

This past Saturday at 3:00 pm we showed our solidarity with free Venezuelans here at the Freedom Tower in Miami, Florida.

In solidarity with Caracas and free Venezuelans

Our prayers & thoughts are with Venezuelans in their desire to be free. All eyes on Venezuela! #WithCaracas

Nuestras oraciones y pensamientos están con los venezolanos en su deseo de ser libres. Muy atento con Venezuela! #ConCaracas #RevocatorioYA

Anti-regime protests in Caracas on September 1, 2016

 This Saturday at 3pm show your solidarity with free Venezuelans here at the Freedom Tower in Miami, FL

 Remember why they protest.

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