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Cuba's Pro-Freedom Resistance Gains Recognition and Solidarity from Global Political Alliance and International Youth
By Assembly of the Resistance

Young leaders from the International Young Democrat Union (IYDU), Union of Latin American Parties (UPLA), and the Youth of the Christian Democrat Organization of America (JODCA) salute the Cuban freedom movement by unfurling the banner of the Orlando Zapata Tamayo National Front for Civic Resistance and Civil Disobedience at Colombia's National Congress building.

Young leaders from the International Young Democrat Union (IYDU), Union of Latin American Parties (UPLA), and the Youth of the Christian Democrat Organization of America (JODCA) salute the Cuban freedom movement by unfurling the banner of the Orlando Zapata Tamayo National Front for Civic Resistance and Civil Disobedience at Colombia's National Congress building.

Washington, DC. July 6, 2011. Assembly of the Cuban Resistance. A new statement published today by the International Democrat Union (IDU), a global alliance of center-right political parties has recognized the struggle of the Cuban Resistance and called on the Cuban regime to end the Communist Party monopoly and hold free and fair elections. This latest demonstration of support for the freedom movement in Cuba, comes shortly after a multinational youth gathering organized by the International Young Democrat Union (IYDU) extended an important gesture of solidarity for the Resistance at Colombia's National Congress building.

The International Democrat Union's statement on Cuba was unanimously adopted by the IDU Executive Committee, presided by former Australian Prime Minister John Howard, on 29 June, 2011 and published online in the organization's “IDU Update” newsletter on July 6.

The statement recognizes that: “Scores of Cuban political prisoners are free today thanks to both international solidarity and internal pressure by a growing democratic opposition. However, at least a hundred remain in Cuban prisons and their numbers are growing. Despite this the Cuban opposition has organized itself at the national level. The Orlando Zapata Tamayo National Civic Resistance and Civil Disobedience Front is a national coalition of pro-democracy organizations that defend human rights and work for a democratic transition in Cuba.”

The IDU goes on to note “increased violent repression against Cuban democrats” in recent months before calling on the regime to “1. Free all political prisoners; 2. Grant access to the International Red Cross to Cuba's prisons; 3. End the violence against nonviolent activists; 4. End the Communist Party monopoly, recognize opposition political parties and hold free elections.”

John Suarez, International Secretary for the Cuban Democratic Directorate, attended the meeting and welcomed the statement.

It's important that the IDU has recognized the increase in repression on the Island, and also recognizes that the opposition in Cuba now has a national reach. I am grateful that IDU members have for some time demonstrated their solidarity with the Cuban people and in particular Cuba’s prisoners of conscience with concrete actions. This resolution underlines that solidarity,” stated Suarez.

Young political leaders from 43 countries gathered in Colombia for the International Young Democrat Union (IYDU) Freedom Forum in Bogota from June 23 to June 26, and extended an extraordinary gesture of solidarity to the youth of Cuba's pro-freedom Resistance by unfurling the banner of the Orlando Zapata Tamayo National Front for Civic Resistance and Civil Disobedience at Colombia's National Capitol building.

The leaders of tomorrow's free Cuba are in the ranks of today's nonviolent Resistance. This gesture is a salute to them,” stated Aramis L. Perez, Executive Secretary of Young Cubans in Action, member of the Secretariat of the Assembly of the Cuban Resistance, and IYDU Vice-Chairman.

Perez delivered greetings to the Forum from Eriberto Liranza Romero, president of the Cuban Youth for Democracy Movement, who is prevented from attending such gatherings by the Communist regime. Perez also addressed the Forum and spoke about the struggle for freedom on the Island.

Delegates participating in and observing the IYDU Freedom Forum, which was hosted by the Colombian Conservative Party, also hailed from IDU regional organization, the Union of Latin American Parties (Union de Partidos Latino Americanos, UPLA) and the centrist Youth of the Christian Democrat Organization of America (Juventud de la Organizacion Democrata Cristiana de America, JODCA).

 

IDU Statement on Cuba

Scores of Cuban political prisoners are free today thanks to both international solidarity and internal pressure by a growing democratic opposition. However, at least a hundred remain in Cuban prisons and their numbers are growing. Despite this the Cuban opposition has organized itself at the national level.

The Orlando Zapata Tamayo National Civic Resistance and Civil Disobedience Front is a national coalition of pro-democracy organizations that defend human rights and work for a democratic transition in Cuba.

Raul Castro in April 2011 called for control of "the plazas and the streets." The concrete result of his speech is increased violent repression against Cuban democrats:

· Seven Cubans were imprisoned in May of 2011, with prison terms ranging up to 5 years because of their activism.

· A member of the Cuban resistance died on May 8, three days after a savage beating by the political police.

· A State Security agent beat a female activist into unconsciousness on May 25.

· A Cuban youth leader was stabbed with a pick on June 16, 2011 and days later struck three times with a pipe to the head.

The International Democrat Union calls on the Cuban regime to demonstrate their commitment to democratic change by doing the following:

1) Free all political prisoners;

2) Grant access to the International Red Cross to Cuba's prisons;

3) End the violence against nonviolent activists;

4) End the Communist Party monopoly, recognize opposition political parties and hold free elections.


(Unanimously adopted by the International Democrat Union Executive Committee on 29 June, 2011)


 

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