Cuba is reforming its Constitution. But progressive-seeming changes such as the deletion of the word “communism” conceal a serious policy tightening elsewhere, criticized Amir Valle.
Cuba is facing a profound change. It therefore fits into the picture, that of the Cuban national Assembly announced constitutional reform is trumpeted with changes in the social, economic and political life, with great fanfare in the world. On closer inspection these changes are, however, more apparent than real.
Significant changes relate to without a doubt, the President. Cuba’s President may be in office in the future, older than 60 and not more than twice every five years rule. This is quite remarkable, since it is a country that for almost 60 years by the Castro Clan, to the exclusion of any and all Opposition was ruled. It is also noteworthy that the construction of a socialist society was deleted as a state objective in the Constitution, even if this act has more symbolic than practical value. This departure allows the recognition of private property, what would previously have been completely unthinkable. It must be remembered, however, that this rejection remains contradictory, as long as the Communist party continues to be the only one that ruled the country. In the political field, it is striking, moreover, that the office of the Prime Minister is re-created for the management of the Council of Ministers is responsible. The already complex structure of the Cuban hierarchy is complicated by the fact only more bureaucratic.
All of these changes have only one goal: the institutional optimization of the Power of the Communist party. It is a predictable effort, when you consider that the key military and intelligence Posts, which will enable the island is still governed, are still in the Hand of Castro-loyal forces.
Back in the past
Most of the “changes” will, however, strengthen an old one, from the Castro pursued the idea of forming a bulwark against the “imperialist enemy”. Maybe so many of Cuba because of that niche and gentlemen, first of all, the writer Miguel Barnet, said to have the “presence of the commander Fidel” in these “historic” meetings in the Cuban Parliament felt.
The exiled Cuban writer and DW-author Amir Valle
True to the great paradox of Castro’s ideology, according to which, on the one hand, for a better world will be fought, on the other hand, the Nation was destroyed, many of the planned changes to the Constitution are contradictory. The right to private property is recognized, but not the “concentration of ownership to non-state actors”. One speaks of maintaining the “achievements of socialism”, but at the same time, the cost of freedom of some of the medical services. In addition, the proposal is being made to strengthen the freedom of expression. At the same time, however, were tightened by a new decree, the working conditions of artists and journalists without official permission. As if that weren’t enough, it is traded as the new Minister of culture a Person because of their unconditional Loyalty to the principles of the Castro is hated censorship anywhere on the island.
Impact on Cuban exiles
Some of the planned changes will also affect Cubans in exile who want to remain in contact with the island-state. For the first time in over six decades, the duplicate state is recognized citizenship. But here, too, there is a fly in the ointment: Both for the as well as for departure of the Cuban passport must be used. On Cuban soil, the Cuban exiles are treated with dual nationality, just like any other Cubans, that is, without the privileges of citizens of other countries are normally granted.
The most alarming is the proposal to make the “treason” under penalty. So far, it is not criminally relevant to the political struggle term. In the political vocabulary, it was used pejoratively in reference to Cubans, the requested abroad asylum while you were out on medical, cultural or sporting reasons. Now this could be an offence soon and thus for many foreign Cubans are in a re-entry dangerous.
Finally, this change will be subjected to proposals to the Cuban Constitution between August and November a Referendum. It is but a Farce. The Cuban people will be able to reject a single proposal since the Referendum to the Castro Regime, the usual forced ratification. Democratic, it will not go in the new Cuba.
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