The party, which is not recognized by the island’s regime, described that imputation as “a serious political manipulation.”
Miami, United States. – The Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU) rejected on Monday a letter open to the Government of the Republic of Cuba its designation as “organization linked to terrorism”, which dates from the end of December 2023, when the regime made public the Resolution 19/2023 of the Interior Ministry (Minint)on “people and entities linked to acts of terrorism”*.
The party, which is not recognized by the island’s regime, described that imputation as “a serious political manipulation, lacking legal and historical foundation, whose sole purpose is to discredit and criminalize a civic and peaceful movement” that since 2011 has been working “in favor of human rights developing humanitarian work, citizen formation and the dignity of all Cubans”, according to the document.
In the same text, the UNPACU prioritizes the immediate liberation demand of its leader, José Daniel Ferrer García, and “all political and conscientious prisoners in Cuba.” The organization argues: “There is clear evidence that the Government tries to end the life of our leader through prolonged isolation, physical and psychological torture, denial of medical care and other practices that put their integrity and life at risk.”
The letter states that, “at present, and as well documented, José Daniel suffers all kinds of torture, vexations and basic prison deficiencies.” UNPACU demands “the immediate cessation of direct torture and abuse by the prison authorities of the prison and the central headquarters of the MININT” and publicly hold “to the senior direction of the Presidency of the Republic of Cuba for the life of José Daniel Ferrer and all the political prisoners of the country.”
The organization also denounces “serious violation of procedural rights in the case of José Daniel Ferrer” and emphasizes that, “to date, the criminal situation of José Daniel Ferrer is not known.” According to the text, the authorities have denied a formal response to the “application for clarification of their criminal situation, presented by their lawyers and delivered by mediation of his wife Nelva Ismarays Ortega to the Superior Courts of Santiago de Cuba.” The refusal, he adds, “constitutes a noticeable violation of due process.”
To refute the accusation of alleged link with terrorism, the UNPACU lists Vaias activities that it has developed “over more than a decade” under “the premise of the non -violent struggle”, including:
- “Creation of social dining rooms to feed children, elders and people in extreme poverty.”
- “Provide basic medical care and solidarity assistance to families without resources.”
- “Promote civic education campaigns and citizen training around fundamental rights.”
- “Publicly support democratic initiatives such as the Cuba project decides, led by Rosa María Payá, which promotes a binding plebiscite under international supervision.”
The organization considers “inadmissible that the Government tries to catalog as a terrorist a peaceful organization such as UNPACU, while glorifying armed actions such as the assault on the Moncada barracks of July 26, 1953, which were made of armed violence, with dead, injured and material damage of terrorist activities”. Faced with that antecedent, the organization argues that “it has always defended the peaceful, civic and democratic route to achieve a change in Cuba.”
The document recalls that “since 1959, in Cuba an amnesty has not been granted”, an instrument that – according to the letter – would serve to “relieve the pain of thousands of families and initiate national reconciliation processes.” On the other hand, he denounces “the repressive increase”, which “perpetuates power through intimidation, violence and political and conscientious prison.” These practices, he affirms, “constitute a systematic violation of human rights and international obligations assumed by the Cuban State as a signatory of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention against torture.”
At the end of the text, the UNPACU reiterates its rejection of the label of the Official Gazette And summarizes its demands: “For all the above, the UNPACU denounces this arbitrary qualification and demands the immediate freedom of José Daniel Ferrer García and of all political prisoners, the cessation of torture, the repeal of repressive measures and the opening of a true path towards democracy, reconciliation and freedom in Cuba.”
*In this first list the UNPACU appears as “Patriotic Board of Cuba”, its founding name.
