AREQUIPA, Peru – The National Assembly of People’s Power in Cuba approved this weekend a new Law on the practice of law and the National Organization of Collective Law Firms during the plenary session.
For the first time, the regime includes regulations regarding the ethics of legal professionals on the Island, who practice under the influence and surveillance of the policies dictated by the Communist Party.
In words quoted by the official press Castro, Oscar Manuel Silvera Martínez, Minister of Justice, affirms that the rule is applicable to all jurists who represent, defend and advise people.
Likewise, the owner pointed out that the law complements a cycle of provisions that place citizens “in a better situation to defend and respect their rights.” This, in the midst of a Cuban context marked by more than 1,000 political prisoners, largely convicted of crimes fabricated through the fiscal bodies controlled by Castroism.
The approved regulations replace Decree-Law 81 of 1984 and seek to “regulate aspects of the practice of law as a profession in the country, the fundamental principles that govern it, its function, scope, rights and duties of lawyers, their ethical behavior and the responsibility they assume as a guarantee of the exercise of people’s rights.”
“After 40 years of validity of Decree Law 81 of 1984, its modification is essential,” added the minister.
In this way, according to Silvera Martínez, these demands would be standardized among those professionals who practice law in institutions other than the National Organization of Collective Law Firms (ONBC).
The Cuban president stressed that the law introduces the recognition of social communication, science, technology and innovation, as fundamental elements for the development and improvement of the legal profession and defines ONBC as “an autonomous, self-financed and independent organization.” .
To modify the law, the Cuban regime alleges that it consulted legal professionals and other institutions that issued 203 criteria, of which 116 were accepted.
“As a result, a chapter, a section and a transitional provision are added; 76 articles were modified and nine were deleted, in addition to one. The text that is presented is the sixth version,” said Silvera Martínez.
Although ONBC boasts of being a self-financed and independent non-governmental organization, it is the dictatorship-ruled Ministry of Justice that authorizes the practice of law firms, as well as approves fees and other forms of control within the legal framework. .
