Finally, a press release release on Cuba that doesn’t include a politically motivated mention of the U.S. Naval base at Guantanamo, or the embargo.
Amnesty International today welcomed Cuba’s signing of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and called on the country to ratify both treaties without reservation.
“The new Cuban authorities must honour their human rights commitments by introducing measures to guarantee freedom of expression and independence of the judiciary, starting with the unconditional release of the current 58 prisoners of conscience,” said Fernanda Doz Costa, Cuba researcher at Amnesty International’s Americas Programme.
“Amnesty International urges Cuba to accept the full range of obligations under these covenants, because human rights norms are the legal expression of the essential rights that every person is entitled to as a human being “said Fernanda Doz Costa.
The problem with Amnesty International is their revolving door focus on dollar friendly human rights crisis, such as the current one in Kenya that bring in the most donations. Human Rights is big business, with media campaigns designed to engage people’s natural sympathy for human suffering. Obviously, Amnesty is well aware of the continuing human rights violations in Cuba, there are 71 Amnesty declared “Prisoners of Conscience.” With Amnesty’s clout, they could end the myth of castro’s Cuba, they could end the 50 years long free ride given the castro regime by the media, and put an end to the delusionary utopian view of castro’s Cuba held by so many in the world body of public opinion.
Why doesn’t Amnesty keep a current paragraph or two on their website’s front page urging people to demand an end to Human Rights violations in Cuba, with links to more detailed information? Why doesn’t Amnesty issue frequent press releases about Cuba? Why are Cuban political prisoners such as Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet not household names as Nelson Mandela once was?
Reading Amnesty International’s mission statement you’d think they would be clamoring for an end to the half century of human rights violations in Cuba. You’d think they would demand human rights for the people of Cuba, you’d think that the horrors of castro’s gulag would be front-page news.
AI’s mission is to undertake research and action focused on preventing and ending grave abuses of the rights to physical and mental integrity, freedom of conscience and expression, and freedom from discrimination, within the context of its work to promote all human rights.
AI is independent of any government, political ideology, economic interest or religion. It does not support or oppose any government or political system, nor does it support or oppose the views of the victims whose rights it seeks to protect. It is concerned solely with the impartial protection of human rights.
You’d think.
*Update: With the fifth anniversary of the crackdown approaching, now would be a good time to remind Amnesty International of their “Prisoners of Conscience.” Ask them what action they are taking to free Dr. Biscet and the others.
A recommended contact is the Director of Artist for Amnesty, Lucia Noyce. You can email her at: lnoyce@aiusa.org
H/T: Fernando
Cuba to Amnesty Intl: “…. [yawn]…. see my middle finger here?”