Ctpctp Cuba Transition Project

ctpctp Cuba Transition Project CIVIL SOCIETY IN CUBA: ADVANCING THROUGH MORAL CONVICTIONS AND PUBLIC CONNECTEDNESS By Maria del Pilar Aristigueta INSTITUTE FOR CUBAN AND CUBAN-AMERICAN STUDIES U NIVERSITYOF M IAMI ISBN: 1-932385-27-4. Published in 2008. CIVIL SOCIETY IN CUBA: ADVANCING THROUGH MORAL CONVICTIONS AND PUBLIC CONNECTEDNESS In memory of my parents Narciso and Gloria Aristigueta Cuba Transition Project – CTP The Cuba Transition Project (CTP) at the Institute for Cuban and Cuban-American Studies at the University of Miami is an important and timely project to study and make recommendations for the reconstruction of Cuba once the post-Castro transition begins in earnest. This is being accomplished through individual original research, work-study groups, and seminars. The project, which began in January 2002, is funded by a grant from the U.S. Agency for International Development. Research Studies The CTP produces a variety of original studies with practical alternative recommendations on various aspects of the transition process. The studies are available in both English and Spanish. The Spanish translations are sent to Cuba through various means. Databases The CTP is developing several key databases: 1. - The full-text, of published and unpublished, articles “Transition Studies” written on topics of transition in Cuba, as well as articles on transition in Central and Eastern Europe, Nicaragua, and Spain. It also includes an extensive bibliography of published and unpublished books, theses, and dissertations on the topic. 2. - In full-text, Cuba’s principal laws (in Spanish), the current “Legal Issues” Cuban Constitution (in English and Spanish), and other legislation relating to the structure of the existing government. This database also includes a law index and the full-text of numerous law review articles on a variety of transition topics. 3. - A listing of foreign investments in Cuba, “Foreign Investments” specifically joint ventures, risk contracts, cooperated production, and management contracts. 4. - The most recent statistics on the economy, health, “Cuba On-Line” tourism, and education; information on infrastructure, demographics, and business; a chronology from 1492 to the present; and biographies of current and historical leaders of Cuba. 5. - A collection of existing international treaties and “Treaties and Accords” accords entered into by the Castro government. 6. - A listing of current Cuban political prisoners, “Political Prisoners” including accusations, sentences, and pictures (when available). Cuba Focus The CTP publishes an electronic information service, , reporting on current Cuba Focus issues of importance on Cuba. Web Site All the products of the CTP, including the research studies, the databases, and , are available at no cost on line at the CTP website accessible at Cuba Focus http://ctp.iccas.miami.edu. The CTP can also be contacted at P.O. Box 248174, Coral Gables, Florida 33124-3010, Tel: 305-284-CUBA (2822), Fax: 305-284-4875, and e-mail: [email protected]. CIVIL SOCIETY IN CUBA: ADVANCING THROUGH MORAL CONVICTIONS AND PUBLIC CONNECTEDNESS Prepared for the Cuba Transition Project (CTP) Institute for Cuban and Cuban-American Studies University of Miami By Maria del Pilar Aristigueta This publication was made possible through support provided by the Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean, U.S. Agency for International Development, under the terms of Award No. EDG-A-00-02-00007-00. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Agency for International Development. Table of Contents Introduction . 1 Figure 1: Logic Model Depicting Expected Outcomes of Civil Society. 2 Civil Society Defined . 3 Communism and Civil Society . 5 Democracy and Civil Society . 8 Development of Nongovernmental Associations and Civil Society in Cuba . 10 Methodology . 18 Religious Associations in Cuba. 20 Table 1: The Pope’s Message and Its Likelihood to Prevail in Cuba under the Current Political System . 22 Mass Media . 27 Independent Libraries . 36 Independent Clinics/Physicians. 42 Environment . 48 Summary and Findings of this Project . 52 Figure 2: Logic Model Depicting Outcomes of Civil Society in Cuba . 53 Policy Options to Support and Encourage Civil Society under the Current System . 56 Arenas Necessary for the Democratization of Cuba: Toward a Relationship for Governance, Civil, and Economic Societies . 59 Figure 3: The Arenas Necessary for Democratization of Cuba’s Public Sphere . 61 Conclusions . 62 Areas for Future Research. 63 References . 64 Appendix 1: List of Interviewees: Interviews Conducted during December 2003, March and April 2004 . 70 Appendix 2: Organizations Contacted for Study . 71 i EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This research project explores the work of nongovernmental associations in Cuba and their contribution toward civil society. The argument is made that the public connectedness among groups in this study is both organized and formal, constituting the definition of a “civil society” as opposed to “social movements,” which are less organized and informal. The civil society designation is accurate for Cuba, even though some of the same individuals who advance civil society also engage in social movements, as described in Steps to Freedom, published annually by the Cuban Democratic Directorate. The continuing success of the Cuban government’s repressive tactics, involving overt physical methods and/or psychological warfare, has hindered the growth of civil society and a transition to democracy. The findings of this study are that civil society groups, in spite of significant human costs, continue to exist in Cuba due to their members’ moral convictions and public connectedness. To be effective, public connectedness does not require formal institutions. In addition to public connectedness, dissidents are taking on multiple roles and have gained increased international support. For example, librarians’ and journalists’ nongovernmental associations are receiving international support and increased visibility; an independent economist is working with the nongovernmental librarians’ group; and the independent physicians’ group is contributing funds, expertise, and resources to the independent journalists. Most of these nongovernmental associations operate outside the realm of what the government considers legal; when business is conducted within legal constraints, there are questions of how much of the resources gets to the Cuban public and how much is kept by the government. Intermediate outcomes gained from civil society associations in Cuba include transparency, accountability, expansion of services, creation of new institutions, community strengthening, and volunteer leveraging. The associations that are currently influencing civil society inside and outside of Cuba will be critical for a successful transition to democracy. The key human capital elements necessary for free association and civil society are trust, transparency, and reciprocity, and they should be ii encouraged by all means possible. Trust will take a long time to rebuild in this society, according to those interviewed. Transparency is viewed as very closely related to trust and possibly putting individuals in harm’s way. Reciprocity is better understood on the island and may be reinforced by meaningful examples. There are lessons to be learned from transitions in post-unification Eastern Germany and in post-communist Europe, where new institutions have been imposed with little consultation, agreement, or alliance with voluntary organizations. Recommendations include starting a working group of dissidents that are recent émigrés from Cuba and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that are working or supporting work in Cuba. Areas to be explored by this working group would include assisting the dissidents now and after the transition, through external support from foreign NGOs and internal assistance to the associations currently on the island. Finally, a strong civil society in itself is no substitute for solid political and legal institutions in a democratic system. However, civil society is necessary for a deeply rooted, legitimate, and effective democracy (see Diamond 1999 and Howard 2003). A strong civil society requires the legal protections afforded by democracy, as defined and protected by the rule of law. iii INTRODUCTION “We look forward to a world founded on four essential human freedoms. The first is freedom of speech and expression – everywhere in the world. The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way – everywhere in the world. The third is freedom from want – everywhere in the world. The fourth is freedom from fear – anywhere in the world.” President Franklin D. Roosevelt, January 6, 1941 Roosevelt’s 1941 quotation remains an anomaly in totalitarian coun- tries throughout the world. In Cuba, the focus of this paper, we continue to witness prison sentences, harassment, and other forms of cruelty for those who dare speak their minds, read what they desire, or simply follow their personal convictions. Although with the exception of the Catholic Church, there is little evidence of legal, formal, nongovernmental organizations in this study, there is substantiation of moral convictions that override the fear of the dissidents and of public connectedness, both necessary to advance civil society in Cuba. This research project explores the work of nongovernmental association in Cuba and their contributions toward the development

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