"Three boys were stabbed in the Piragua* the other night," "don't go by Zapata and G where you might be assaulted," "a former policeman killed a child for stealing mamoncillo fruit," "don't even think of going to Central Havana after ten." These are some of the phrases that make up our own alternative red chronicle, part of the flow of information about violence not reflected in the official media. There is a latent tension that doesn't explode in a protest at the Plaza of the Revolution, nor in an encampment in front of the Council of State, but is channeled into the punch that smashes into the skin during Carnival, or an iron bar sinking into a shoulder in a riotous brawl. This constant irritation -- attributable not only to the heat -- brings out the blades in the most unpredictable places, and even makes the little kids who should be playing peacefully raise their fists.
A few days ago two women were pulling each other's hair as they fought to get a seat in a shared taxi, a bus inspector took a stick to a rider who complained of his management, a mother slapped her son because he smeared ice cream on his shirt, and a Committee for the Defense of the Revolution member from Santiago beat a regime opponent until he broke his jaw. What's happening to us? Why this fury that turns one against another? Why this institutional silence about the facts now inherent in our everyday lives? I remember having spent a couple of hours in a police station and being amazed at the number of foreigners who came to report a robbery. One after another they came and the official in charge put his hands on his head. "This is too much," I heard him say.
The authorities in our country think that not mentioning these risks will make them disappear. They think perhaps the absence of a report about the violence plaguing the city will cause it to decrease. I'm sick and tired of turning on the TV and seeing only incidents that happen on the streets of New York or Berlin. I have a son, 16 years old, and I know the dangers he faces crossing the threshold of our doorway. Enough already of falsifying statistics, manipulating certificates of injuries, hiding the results of the rage. We are a society where a blow and a scream have replaced words, let's admit it and begin to look for solutions for it.
*Translator's note:
Piragua: A large plaza-type open space along Havana's Malecon overlooked by the Hotel Nacional.
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Yoani Sanchez: Cuba's Dual Currency System Provides a Way to Cheat Shoppers
The United Nations "Universal Declaration of Human Rights" which the Castro regime signed and agreed to uphold just violates that document daily with absolute impunity as the world simply looks on.
This is the injustice of our day and it must be dealt with by the heads of State of every civilized nation. Cuba must be pressure to abide by the UN's rule of international law.
Castro brothers’ tyranny has turned the majority of Cubans into criminals. The reason of course is that Cubans are survivors, and in order to survive, you have to do what you have to do to survive. Cubans break Castros’ laws each and every day, they find ways around the tyranny. Therefore, the island is an island of criminals. Many are caught, imprisoned or shot. Nothing stops them as they attempt to remain in power upon a foundation of lies and infamies.
In 1958, with a population of 6.6 millions, there were 4,000 prisoners; by 2010, with a population 11.3 millions, there are at least 100,000 prisoners. In the last 50 years have been a 21-fold increase in the number of prisons, and 25-fold increase in the number of prisoners. Based on the increase of the population, the actual number of prisoners shall be 6,850, and the number of prisons 24. Another great accomplishment of the Castros' tyranny.
At this site you can find a list of the high and low security prison, correctional centers, their name and location in Cuba.
Link: http://www.cuba-junky.com/cuba/prisons.htm
It goes beyond the sweaty irritability of a sultry August afternoon, the impatience with someone who has treated you with curt rudeness, the aggravation of lines and traffic jams. It seems as if there is a smoldering rage just beneath the surface, waiting, looking for a trigger.
I usually credit my age and disability for my lack of patience and quick temper but I see signs of it all around. Are we just getting sick of each other, tiring of the constant squabble of unruly humanity?
I'd recommend that we all go sit in the shade but there probably isn't enough to go around anymore.
The Cubans in the island doesn’t need any external help it has been proven through the scattered opportunities the dictatorship relaxed the hard regulation over the private initiative. Each time it happen the people self solved all their problems without the government involving. The farmers produced all food the people needed; the markets were full with vegetables, meat, eggs, milk, etc. Small industries proliferated everywhere and the vendors found theirs stands full of shoes, cloths, deodorants and all kind articles long time ago vanished from the market.
But in the same way dictatorship is afraid of information is also afraid of richness, even if this richness is account in thousands and not in millions. Because richness means independence and insubordination and leftist dictatorships needs for surviving the people’s dependence and subordination.
To lift the "embargo" will no help Cubans because regime's system is grounded on people's misery. In the soviet subside era when regime received $5000.000.000 yearly Cubans felt no reliefe but regime hardened its represive policy, if USA lift the embargo today we will suffer same fate than before.
Political prisoners
The Cuban government retains tight control over information about its prisons and the International Committee of the Red Cross and Amnesty International are not allowed access to Cuban prisons. Amnesty International recognised 58 prisoners of conscience in Cuba in 2008 while Cuban Commission for Human Rights and National Reconciliation reported in August 2008 at least 219 political prisoners detained in Cuba. They have been charged with crimes including 'acts against the independence of the state', receiving funds from the USA, and received lengthy custodial sentences in summary trials. We have concerns about the overall denial of basic prisoners' rights, including prison conditions and access to healthcare in prison.
Intimidation of opposition
Dissidents' and political opponents can be subject to government-sponsored acts of violence and intimidation known as 'acts of repudiation'. In violation of the basic right of free expression, criticism of the regime is not tolerated and outspoken dissidents and human rights defenders face considerable harassment such as threats of violence, intimidation of family members, arbitrary arrest and personal attacks in the state-run media. We received a higher than usual number of reports of short term detentions in 2008. We remain concerned about the continued use of charges of 'social dangerousness'. This is a pre-emptive charge based on an individual's propensity to commit a crime, and has been almost exclusively applied to critics of the government.
http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,,,ANNUALREPORT,CUB,,49ce3618c,0.html