Several Cubans in Norway do not dare to participate in the celebrations for the Cuban dissident Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara this weekend. The background is said to be fear of sanctions from the Cuban authorities after Otero Alcántara won the Rafto prize for his “fearless opposition to an authoritarian regime”. The award will be marked with various events in Bergen this weekend. – Nothing moves without the authorities knowing, says an exiled Cuban to news. He does not dare to come forward with his name or picture. And don’t dare to participate in the markings in Bergen either. Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara was arrested in July 2021 when he was on his way to a demonstration. Four previous winners of the Nobel Peace Prize have later won the Nobel Peace Prize: Aung San Suu Kyi, José Ramos-Horta, Kim Dae Jung and Shirin Ebadi. Photo: Raftostiftelsen Adri Mena Gonzales says that she has tried in vain to get several compatriots to mark this year’s Raftor prize. She is from Cuba, but lives in Bergen. – The response is lower than expected. We have advertised widely and called directly, but people are anxious, she says. She clarifies that she has “great understanding” for those who choose to stay at home. – I understand that well, and I don’t put any pressure on them. – Are you anxious? – I have decided not to be intimidated, and instead to accept whatever the consequences are for me and my family. Exile Cubans in Italy are protesting that the Pope will meet the Cuban president. Photo: AP Expert: – I understand the concern The Raftop Prize winner has been imprisoned since 2021 for a performance piece, and is currently serving time in the high-security Guanajay prison outside Havana. It is her friend Yanelys Núñez Leyva, who accepts the award on behalf of the artist. She has been an active participant in the San Isidro movement in Cuba, and today lives in exile in Spain. Read more about human rights in Cuba below. Human rights in Cuba Freedom of expression and freedom of the press Cuba has strict limits on freedom of expression and freedom of the press. Critics of the government often risk harassment, arrests and imprisonment. Independent media organizations are not permitted, and the state controls most media. Political rights Cuba is a one-party state governed by the Cuban Communist Party. Political opposition is not allowed, and people who try to organize political opposition often face reprisals, including arbitrary arrests and imprisonment. Judicial security The judicial system in Cuba has been criticized for lacking independence and justice. Political prisoners often do not receive a fair trial, and there are reports of torture and ill-treatment of jailed dissidents. Freedom of assembly and association Public protests and independent organizations that are not approved by the state are strictly regulated. Demonstrations against the government are often met with a heavy police presence, arrests and violence. Economic and social rights In some areas, such as health and education, Cuba has made great progress and offers universal services to the population. Many human rights defenders and organizations recognize this as a positive aspect of the communist regime. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAI. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. – I understand the concern. Not so much for those in Norway, but probably more for their families in Cuba, says Vegard Bye, who is a political scientist and expert on Latin America. He adds: – So far, Cuban authorities have not been in the habit of going after family members in the same way as we have seen in Nicaragua and Venezuela. – So I don’t want to think this is any immediate danger today. Miguel Díaz-Canel is president of Cuba. Here flanked by Vladimir Putin. Photo: Alexander Nemenov / AP Expert: – Do not believe in reprisals for this Professor Benedicte Bull has researched social development in Latin America. She believes that most exiled Cubans can attend the award ceremony on Sunday evening – without risk of reprisals. – If an already owned property is postponed, it can certainly be an additional burden. But I don’t think people will be subjected to reprisals just for this, she says. She nevertheless specifies that it is a widespread phenomenon that exiled Cubans abroad are monitored by Cuban authorities. – What types of reprisals can Cubans face if they express themselves freely in Cuba? – It can be anything from being deprived of privileges, jobs and study places to being imprisoned. See more reactions below. Jan-Erik Wilthil Kjetil Klette Bøhler, professor at the University of Southeast NorwayI understand that exiled Cubans are afraid to participate in the celebration. Many fear that their participation may affect the situation of the family in Cuba. Cuban authorities conduct extensive surveillance of its citizens, both those living in the country and the Cuban diaspora. Several have experienced that their loved ones have been punished if they speak out critically of the regime. Kai Rune Kvitstein Vegard Bye, political scientist and aid worker So far, Cuban authorities have not been in the habit of going after family members. On the other hand, there may be reason to fear that the election of Trump, and the reactions I see from the more extreme Cuban milieu in Miami, may lead to a further tightening of the situation in Cuba. These are groups that advocate military action, perhaps direct intervention. news Benedicte Bull, political scientist and professor If one has already been delayed, it can certainly be an additional burden, but I don’t think people will be exposed to reprisals just for this. – How realistic is it that exiled Cubans abroad are monitored by Cuban authorities? It happens all the time clear. news Yanelys Núñez LeyvaYanelys Núñez Leyva lives in exile in Madrid, Spain. She accepts the award on behalf of the award winner. Four previous winners of the Nobel Peace Prize have later won the Nobel Peace Prize: Aung San Suu Kyi, José Ramos-Horta, Kim Dae Jung and Shirin Ebadi. – The truth weighs more than a lie – In Cuba, there are political prisoners who are serving harsh sentences just for wanting to express themselves freely through art, says another exiled Cuban to news. He wishes to remain anonymous. – We are talking about sentences of up to twenty years, just for expressing oneself freely. I call it terror, and it has been carried out against the Cuban population for 65 years. He is nevertheless hopeful: – The truth weighs more than a lie, and win in the end. Published 10.11.2024, at 13.06
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Cuban dissidents in Norway fear reprisals for participating in the Raftopris marking – news Vestland
