2008-09-16. Freedom House, www.freedomhouse.org
Contact: Laura Ingalls in Washington, 202-747-7035 , 202-683-0909
(www.miscelaneasdecuba.net).-Washington – September 15, 2008 – Cubans
see little evidence of meaningful reform in their country and remain
skeptical that Raúl Castro's new presidency will bring positive change,
according to the findings of a field study released by Freedom House
today. The study, Change in Cuba, provides a rare opportunity to hear
the opinions of ordinary Cubans in five provinces.
"The superficial reforms that Raúl Castro enacted earlier this year have
done little to improve the lives of average Cubans," said Daniel
Calingaert, Freedom House deputy director of programs. "We hope that
this study spurs Cuban democracy advocates and the international
community to do more to provide an alternative vision for Cuba's future,
one that stresses freedom, prosperity, and security for all."
Freedom House researchers interviewed 177 Cubans in the provinces of
Ciudad de la Habana, Villa Clara, Holguín, Camagüey and Santiago de
Cuba. Researchers included respondents from diverse age, political,
racial and socio-economic backgrounds. Interviews were conducted from
March 28 to May 5, immediately following a round of small-scale
government reforms that included allowing Cubans to purchase cell phones
and enter tourist hotels.
The qualitative manner in which Freedom House researchers conducted the
study allowed Cubans to express their views in detail, as seen in the
report's numerous candid anecdotes. Some of the study's main findings
include:
Main Challenges: Most respondents said their main concern was the
struggle to survive and meet basic needs such as food and housing.
Others named healthcare, transportation and public services as areas of
concern. A few respondents cited political freedom.
Restrictions on Society: Despite talk of reforms, no respondent felt the
changes would lead to significant increases in the space for private
businesses to operate. They unanimously said that Raúl Castro would
never permit increased tolerance of independent groups such as political
parties and business associations. However, some interviewees in
Camaguey believed that Raúl Castro was more tolerant toward the
country's black market.
Reform Priorities: Respondents named freedom of movement—both outside
and within the country—and freedom of expression as top reform
priorities. They also urged the adoption of a single currency, pointing
out that while they are paid in moneda nacional, they must exchange them
for pesos convertible to buy certain items. Respondents in Habana, Villa
Clara and Holguín said they believed they would start seeing change in
two years, while those in Camagüey said it would take another
generation. If change did not come within the next few years,
respondents said they would "do nothing." Few expressed a desire to
leave Cuba permanently, fearing that they might "lose everything."
Anxiety over Change: Interviewees expressed concern that political
change could bring increased crime and insecurity. In addition, while
many citizens said they would like to travel abroad, they would be
reluctant to go for fear that the government would seize their homes.
Response to Abuse: Most respondents said they had little recourse if
they were a victim of government abuse. They recounted stories of public
attacks because of their political beliefs and evictions from their
homes. None of the respondents mentioned contacting a police officer, a
lawyer or a human rights activist. When asked about the possibility of
protesting, respondents said such action was ineffective and dangerous.
Democracy Movement: Many respondents said they view democracy and human
rights activists on the island as the only hope for a future transition
to a free society. However, most knew little about such groups and often
believe the government's propaganda about them. Only a few interviewees
could name any of the groups or their initiatives and no one viewed them
as an alternative to the current regime.
In addition to the report, Freedom House released Distributing Censored
Information in Cuba, a policy brief that examines how Cubans access
information from independent sources.
Cuba is ranked Not Free in the 2008 edition of Freedom in the World,
Freedom House's survey of political rights and civil liberties, and Not
Free in the 2008 version of Freedom of the Press.
For more information on Cuba, visit:
Freedom in the World 2008: Cuba
http://www.freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=22&year=2008&country=7378
Freedom of the Press 2007: Cuba
http://www.freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=251&year=2007
Freedom House, an independent nongovernmental organization that supports
the expansion of freedom in the world, has been monitoring political
rights and civil liberties in Cuba since 1972.
Freedom matters.
Freedom House makes a difference.
www.freedomhouse.org
http://www.miscelaneasdecuba.net/web/article.asp?artID=17170
No comments:
Post a Comment