We, the signatories of this petition, wish to address civil society organizations in democratic countries, their governments, and international organizations in order to request the following:
- That the demand to respect the human rights of Cuban priority in the political, economic, bilateral and multilateral diplomatic negotiations carried out by the government of the Republic of Cuba.
- That all foreign businesses interested in investing in Cuba, or participating in or being present in the Cuban economy, commit to following the international labor regulations, social responsibilities, and code of ethics demanded of them in their countries of origin.
- That demands be made for the liberation of all political prisoners and that the current practice of using arbitrary judicial proceedings against activists from the opposition as a form of revenge for their nonviolent activities be publically rejected.
- That the Cuban government be urged to immediately initiate a profound and comprehensive process of reform, which includes:
- Recognition and guarantee of the human rights of all Cuban citizens regardless of where they reside;
- Respect for democratic values in the political sphere, particularly freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, freedom of association, and that there be free, pluralist, and transparent elections according to international norms and with international observers present.
- Full respect for private property and economic initiatives in the economic sphere, so that each Cuban citizen may undertake his/her own entrepreneurial or professional projects in the context of freedom, free competition, and legal security.
- That action be taken in the social sphere, so that public policies truly benefit the most underprivileged and destitute members of society, which can be accomplished by re-purposing the multiple resources now allocated for repression and international propaganda. And, that the labors of civil society in serving the growing underprivileged sector be recognized, accepted and facilitated.
Cuba is going through a critical moment in its history, one that will have a far reaching impact; all of the current diplomatic and political efforts to insert Cuba fully in the international arena will only be meaningful if all Cuban citizens can benefit.
Geneva, June 7, 2016
Joel Brito Delgado, GIRSCC
Cristina Canales Otero, Fundación Nacional Cubano Americana (FNCA)
Yaxys Cires Dib, PDC-Cuba
José Daniel Ferrer, Unión Patriótica de Cuba (UNPACU)
Guillermo Fariñas Hernández, Frente Antitotalitario Unido (FANTU)
Abelardo García Pérez, Participatory Democracy Cultural Initiative (PDCI)
Alejandro González Raga, Observatorio Cubano de Derechos Humanos (OCDH)
Reinaldo González, Asociación Cultural Cubana de Ginebra
Iván Hernández Carrillo, CTIC
Elena Larrinaga de Luis, Observatorio Cubano de Derechos Humanos (OCDH)
Amir Valle
Wilfredo Vallín Almeida, Asociación Jurídica de Cuba (AJC)