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Anti-democratic actions have boomerang effect
By Jorge Luis Ramón Castillo

Published in The Miami Herald

HAVANA -- While some believe that 2003 was a negative year for Cuba, for the internal opposition and the country's democratic fate, the opposite is more accurate.
The Cuban government intensified its ideological bombardment nationally and internationally and took a number of cruel steps against those who believe in democracy:
• It imprisoned dozens of activists as it had never done before.
• It took measures to block Cubans from Internet access.
• It attacked private-enterprise initiatives.
• It rejected the Varela Project's proposal for a referendum.
• It sharpened its harassment of journalists.
• It executed three desperate young men, making an example of the lengths to which it was willing to go.
• It refused to comply with a U.N. resolution that called for a human-rights monitor to visit Cuba.
• It vilified the heads of state of several democratic countries, deepening its dispute with the United States through attacks and counterattacks.
Such actions, however, have had a boomerang effect. The great majority of countries are democratic and disapprove of the lack of freedoms, and thus, close ranks with those of us who struggle to revert this incoherent behavior.
The European Union, for instance, finally turned its eyes on Cuba and saw a reality that the beaches and palm trees of a supposed tropical paradise had kept hidden. It immediately took a firm stance, condemning the violations that the Cuban government commits daily. It also limited the financial and humanitarian aid that it had been extending to a regime that would not honor its own international accords or implement greatly needed democratic changes.
The United States highlighted its commitment to democracy in the world, and the Cuban nation was no exception. Latin America gained new consciousness of the true nature of the island's government, as several countries supported the resolution that required sending to Cuba a representative of the U.N. Human Rights Commission.
The internal opposition grew, politically and morally, in March and April. The regime itself contributed to this growth by imprisoning dozens of human-rights activists, intellectuals and members of political parties of the opposition. If anyone had harbored doubts, the crackdown and the lengthy sentences meted out for the simple act of attempting to think freely clarified some important points.
A long list of friends of the revolution said ''Enough.'' Through its institutions, the international community recognized the courage, dignity and decency of several Cuban thinkers who were forced into their status as prisoners of conscience. Manuel Vázquez Portal, Oscar Elías Biscet, Raúl Rivero and José Ramón Castillo were among those who received international recognition in 2003. Despite these imprisonments, the movement has continued to grow and, speaking without triumphalism, its health is comforting.
The personal cost has been great for all, but it is a part of any civic effort. Let us thank God for these 365 days, and let us pray for those who suffer in body and spirit for us. About them, José Martí said the following: ``In the world, there should be a certain amount of light, as there also should be a certain amount of dignity. When a nation has many men who lack dignity, there are also men who carry with them the dignity of many men.''
Jorge Luis Ramón Castillo is vice president of the Culture and Democracy Independent Institute in Santiago de Cuba. His brother, José Ramón Castillo, was sentenced to 20 years in prison during the Cuban government's March 2003 crackdown.

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About the author


Jorge Luis Ramón Castillo Jorge Luis Ramón Castillo
Activista cívico en Santiago de Cuba. En estos momentos dirige el Instituto Independiente Cultura y Democracia en esa ciudad, en sustitución de su hermano, José Gabriel Ramón Castillo, encarcelado y condenado a 20 años de prisión durante la ola represiva de marzo, 2003.

 

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