By-Liner

Day of Solidarity with the Cuban People

May 20, 2008

By: Mark Green

On May 21, Americans will honor the courage and determination of the Cuban people as they work to establish a democratic future for their country. On this day, in the United States and elsewhere, the American people will celebrate a Day of Solidarity with the Cuban People. We will call for the release of all Cuban political prisoners and repeal of all measures that allow the Cuban government to arrest citizens for carrying out acts of peaceful dissent. We do this because Cubans need to know that they have international support in their struggle for freedom and human rights, as the people in Central Europe had international support in their struggle against communist oppression.

There has been much talk in the media about the recent changes that have been announced in Cuba. Yes, Cubans can now buy cell phones and microwave ovens and stay in five star hotels. But while Cubans may welcome such changes, they are no doubt hoping for much more...more democracy and more freedom...the kind of freedom people in Tanzania and the U.S. have.

Right now, Cubans simply don't have those freedoms. For example, last December, Cuban authorities stormed a Catholic church, tear-gassed parishioners, and dragged 18 worshipers out. A Catholic official called the episode, "the worst attack against a church in 45 years." And just a few weeks ago, the “Ladies in White,” who march peacefully each Sunday on behalf of freedom for their unjustly imprisoned loved ones, were beaten and dragged away from the “Plaza of the Revolution” when they sought to deliver a petition to their government asking for the release of political prisoners. Clearly, there is much work to do in building freedom in Cuba.

So what will be the signs that tell us that democratic change is really on the way? We will know there is a new Cuba when Cubans have the freedom to organize, assemble, and speak their minds. We will know there is a new Cuba when a free and independent press has the power to operate without censors. We will know there is a new Cuba when the Cuban government allows Cubans to open their own businesses and improve the economic well-being of their families. Above all, we will know that a new Cuba is coming when the regime releases its political prisoners and engages the Cuban people in an open and comprehensive dialogue about the future of their country. Solidarity with the Cuban people means supporting their struggle to obtain all the freedoms outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as those in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Small measures like allowing Cuban citizens to have cell phones may sound good, but what will really show the world that a new day is at hand is when Cuba joins the community of free nations in fulfilling the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. What good is the right to buy microwave ovens when the Cuban government is arresting its citizens and expelling foreigners merely for handing out copies of that very document!

On May 21st, the American people will join in solidarity with the Cuban people, particularly the prisoners of conscience on the island who remain behind bars. We hope you, too, the people of Tanzania will mark May 21st with a special observance in honor of the people of Cuba who continue to fight for the right to be free.

Mark Green is the Ambassador of the United States of America to the United Republic of Tanzania.