Puente Democrático

Objective

The network “Puente Democrático Latino Cubano” follows the objective to involve civil society organizations as well as political and social leaders from Latin America in the accurate claim for freedom of association and opinion in Cuba , considering that these freedoms would enable an important space of democratic opening and respect for the fundamental liberties in this country.

Fundamentals

In the case of the civil society organizations we find a large number within Latin America that promote the strengthening of democracy or selective aspects regarding civil and political liberties or liberties that are related to the rule of law, transparency, economic reforms or social matters; that is, activities that are not allowed in Cuba, hence, these civil society organizations could not exist over there. That's why, those who enjoy human rights within our countries and can freely join together, have a moral obligation with respect to those threatened or repressed within Cuba for practicing this fundamental democratic freedom.

Liberty of association and its restrictions in Cuba

The personal liberty presumes the authority to realize several activities with the objective of achieving of one's own goals. It is part of the inherent rights of every person to join together with others to pursue one's aims. The American Declaration of Rights and Duties of Men, in its 22 nd article, includes the right of every person to join together with others to promote, practice and protect their legitimate interests for political order; in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, article 20.1 refers to the right of every person for free and peaceful reunion and association; the American Convention on Human Rights, in article 16.1, holds that every person has a right to freely join together for ideological, political, economic or any other kind of purpose; the International Pact of Civil and Political Rights, in its article 22.1, acknowledges the right to freely join together with other people.

The freedom of association is strongly restricted in Cuba . The government requests the inscription of all associations into an association registry at the Ministry of Justice, which is not granted for those that emerge spontaneously among the citizens, even less if their purposes are related to the expression of political ideas. The criminal code contains sanctions for those who join associations that are not registered. The 208 th article punishes the person who merely belongs as associate or member to a non-registered association with up to three months in prison or an administrative fine. The promoters or dir ectors of a non-registered association fall under the same category; and the next article imposes the same penalty onto those who participate in meetings or demonstrations which are celebrated infringing the regulations that control the exercise of these rights. Apart from that, as soon as these associations follow the objective to advocate human rights, civil liberties or the political opening of Cuba, their members are accused of crime either against the security of the state or of those described in law 88/99, which hold superior punishments that reach even death penalty.

Structure and members of the network

The network “Puente Democrático Latino Cubano” is an initiative of the Center for Opening and Development of Latin America (CADAL), a private foundation approved by the General Inspection of Justice of the Argentine Republic (IGJ), which itself has the character of a Founding Member and reserves the right to administer the executive board of the network, counting in this case with financial support from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).

Regarding its integration, the network will be formed by civil society organizations (CSOs) and by political and social leaders of Latin America that will join the network by invitation. The CSOs could be Associates or Adherents, the former of which will display major involvement within the Executive Council whereas the latter are going to join the Consultative Council. In the case of the CSOs these must enact their admission to the network through a resolution of the respective internal body, which on his part has to designate a representative beforehand.

There will be only one Associate CSO in every country which will be in charge of the local integration of Adherent Members from other entities as well as of political and social leaders, assembled in the Parliamentary Group and the Group for Freedom of Opinion.