Editorial
April 04, 2010
Maybe the Cuban government is trying to compete for some macabre award,
perhaps for worst human rights abuser? That's the only way to explain
the Cuban government's indifference, at best, and complicity, at worst,
in yet another example of its callousness.
No less than a month after the regime shamefully allowed a jailed
dissident, Orlando Zapata Tomayo, to die in a hunger strike, the world
was treated to images of another episode: the attempt to intimidate
women relatives of jailed dissidents who peacefully protested the
incarcerations.
The latest ugly episodes in Cuba's dismal human rights record have drawn
international attention and rebuke. And locally as well. In Miami last
week, South Floridians marched in support of the dissidents and Havana's
Damas en Blanco protests.
The focus of international outcry should be to demand the release of the
remaining imprisoned dissidents. More than 70 were arrested and
summarily imprisoned in the spring of 2003.
And for doing what? Simply standing up for the basic right of
individuals to think and speak for themselves.
Both Fidel and Raul Castro have reacted with dismissive attitudes, as
they always have. State-run media in Cuba has also denounced the foreign
media for what Havana has called an international anti-Cuba campaign.
Yada, yada, yada.
Nonetheless, the United States and international governments need to act
with a policy geared at Cubans, and not the Cuban regime or the exile
community in the United States.
For example, there is pressure now for Washington to release up to $40
million in funds for pro-democracy efforts in Cuba. Problem is, past
reviews showed that such funding too often ended up in the hands of
organizations in the United States, not in Cuba.
The Obama administration and Congress should release the money. But they
should do so only with guarantees that those funds will go to
pro-democracy efforts on the island.
Beyond that, Washington must recognize that the same-old, same-old
approach of sanctions and "isolation" in the past 50 years has been
futile. A more engaged, proactive approach is necessary.
BOTTOM LINE:
Dissidents draw needed attention, but same-old policies remain in place.
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