Human rights in Cuba: A reality for all and every Cuban

Press release
Embassy of the Republic of Cuba
9 December 2011

Human rights in Cuba: A reality for all and every Cuban

With the triumph of the Revolution on 1st January 1959, the Cuban people achieved true independence and were able to create the conditions for full and universal enjoyment of all human rights. The profound economic, political and social changes undertaken made it possible to do away with the structural injustices inherited from colonial and neocolonial rule in Cuba. The foundations of a democratic, fair, inclusive, equitable and solidarity society were laid and continuous progress has been made.

The Revolution put an end to the total and absolute dependence on the United States, as well as to underdevelopment, corruption, political and administrative fraud, chronic malnutrition, arbitrary detentions, torture, disappearances and extrajudicial executions, illiteracy, neglected and inadequate health services, widespread poverty, discrimination and racism.

The Cuban Revolution made the full enjoyment of all human rights, civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights, a reality for all Cubans.

The Cuban political system is the expression of the will of its people. It is a truly Cuban undertaking, based on its rich history of struggle for equality and solidarity, for independence, sovereignty, non-discrimination, unity, participation, people’s power and social justice.

All citizens are considered equal, regardless of race, skin colour, sex, convictions or national origin. The very composition of the National People’s Assembly (Parliament) reflects that. More than 28% of members are labourers, farmers, service workers, teachers and health workers; 43.32% are women and 35.67% are black or mestizo.

Cuba guarantees freedom of thought, conscience and religion without discrimination. The country has about four hundred religions and religious institutions, all have temples and house churches to carry out their activities freely.

The freedoms of opinion, expression, information and news are recognized for all citizens. The high level of education and people's cultural, social and public character of the media, and the exercise of popular power, provided the material conditions for its enjoyment.

In Cuba there is much debate about different topics of political, economic, social and cultural life, both the nation and the world. It has always been the policy of the Cuban State to submit to popular consultation and debate the most significant measures for the country.

Information Technologies and Communications are at the service of all people. The training and use are free and easy access to them through centers and institutions of social and community purposes, ensuring its use by all sectors without discrimination.

The rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association are fully guaranteed. Civil society in Cuba comprises more than two thousand organizations.

Cuba eradicated illiteracy in 1961, only two years after the triumph of the Revolution. Education is universal and free at all levels. Cuba has far exceeded the 6 goals of the Education for All UNESCO program. UNESCO has ranked Cuba 4th in the world for performance in the field of education. Cuba has fully complied with the Millennium Development Goals.

Schooling of the population aged 0 to 5 years represents 99.5%, from 6 to 11 years (primary education) reached almost 100% of children, while from 6 to 14 years, which is the range of basic education of 9 grades, is more than 99%. Nearly 70% of young Cubans study at university. 100% of children with special educational needs receive such care in centers for this purpose.

Culture is a mass phenomenon, which promotes equal opportunities for developing the potential of every citizen, freely and without distinction.

The right to work has constitutional status in Cuba and is not subjected to blind market rules.

Every Cuban has guaranteed access to free health services and of known quality. The National Health System is fully funded by the state. Cuba has health indicators compared to developed countries: the infant mortality rate in 2010 was 4.4 per thousand live births, highlighting 23 municipalities with zero mortality. Child mortality for children under 5 years is 5,7 per thousand live births.

In Cuba, 100% of the population enjoys social protection, guaranteed through the Social Security and Welfare Systems.

All these achievements have been reached with political will and considerable efforts.

The Cuban people embarked on its project of freedom, solidarity and social justice in the face of a policy of intense hostility, aggression and blockade on the part of successive United States administrations. Cuba has suffered the adverse effects of economic warfare, mercenary invasion and terrorist attacks sponsored by the United States.

A key objective in the war and the hostility towards the Cuban nation has been to recruit and control hirelings of the United States anti-Cuba policy on Cuba’s own territory and provide them with logistical and financial support.

The mercenaries working for imperialist policy against the Cuban people have adapted their methods according to the needs and phases of the strategy of aggression. They have gone from being invaders to being terrorists and from being terrorists to being bogus human rights defenders. Anti-Cuban political and media campaigns use the most sophisticated techniques and means of disinformation.

These mercenaries, who work in open contempt of Cuban law and against human rights of the people of Cuba, to shore up the blockade and develop subversive and violent actions with the money received from Washington, are those that the powerful propaganda machine in the hands of U.S. imperialism has been commissioned to present as "peaceful dissidents and opponents" and "human rights defenders."