DOMINICAN YOUTH JOINS THE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH COMMITTEE FOR DEMOCRACY IN CUBA

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DOMINICAN YOUTH JOINS THE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH COMMITTEE FOR DEMOCRACY IN CUBA
By Cuban Democratic Directorate

Members of the International Youth Committee for Democracy in Cuba (IYCDC) gathered in Santo Domingo demanding that Fidel Castro’s regime be unmasked, and that Cubans be the authors of their own futures.

This weekend in Santo Domingo, more than 500 Dominican youths came together in solidarity and support for the youth in Cuba under the banner of "Juventud Despierta." The rally brought together the youth presidents and secretariats of the three leading Dominican political parties and 20 international youth leaders including the President of Jovenes de la Organizacion Democrata Cristiano de America (JODCA) and the heads of the youth wing's of various political parties and NGO's in Latin America and Europe. Speakers included the former Czech Minister of Interior, Vice-President of the Czech Senate and dissident leader during the Czech Velvet Revolution - Jan Ruml, various Dominican political and civic leaders and international and Dominican student and youth leaders. The event was hosted by Juventud Patriotica Dominicana.

At this unprecedented event each speaker addressed the need to stand in solidarity with Cuban youth that yearn to have liberty. They stressed the importance of international support and ended their rallying cry with "Cuba Libre, Juventud Despierta!"

Jan Ruml affirmed that democracy and human rights “have been corrupted” in Cuba and it is necessary to “unmask” Fidel Castro’s regime. “Cuba deserves to live in democracy,” emphasized Ruml in a press conference. He stressed that in order to achieve democracy, it is vital that political prisioners be liberated and that Cubans be able to freely decide their futures.

In this same tone the young Cuban, Diane Cabrera, explained how the Committee hopes to raise awareness about the lack of human rights and liberty in Cuba through the “Juventud Despierta” (Youth Awakened) campaign. In addition, Jose Luis Bayo, member of the IYCDC in Spain, affirmed that we cannot turn our backs on democracy, plus the European Union will have to make an effort to accurately portray what occurs on the island.

The IYCDC is composed of youth leaders from 15 countries and celebrated it’s Caribbean Summit in Santo Domingo with the participation of representatives from the Dominican republic, Cuba, Spain, Mexico, Chile, and Argentina, among other nations. The IYCDC was created in June in Havana, Cuba with the aim of supporting the civic non-violent struggle in Cuba, and specifically the Cuban youth within the Island.

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