Pretoria, December 10th, 2020.- On the occasion today of the celebration of Human Rights Day, we share a list of the main rights of the Cuban people, in different spheres, achieved in 62 years of Revolution:
PARTICIPATION IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS
All Cuban citizens have equal opportunities of access to the highest public positions, based on their abilities and merits, and not based on their economic or financial capacity.
Mechanisms such as accountability are effective ways to encourage the active participation of the population in controlling the management of the Government and the elected representatives.
ACCESS TO JUSTICE
Cuban judges assume as fundamental principles humanism, respect for due process, guarantees and human rights, and increasing the quality and agility in the processing of processes to achieve fair decisions, avoid impunity and judicial errors.
RIGHTS OF GIRLS, BOYS AND ADOLESCENTS
The protection of children and adolescents is a priority of the first order in Cuba, which is executed on the basis of the postulates of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
There are no children or adolescents forced to work, or infants abandoned without protection. Corporal punishment is not allowed, nor is it tolerated.
The protection of children and adolescents is materialized in public policies, social programs and high-impact community projects.
PROTECTION OF YOUTH
Youth care is developed through universal and free social programs.
Youth policies are characterized by having a comprehensive approach and by promoting social equity, with a high participation and decision-making capacity of young people in the political, economic, social and cultural spheres.
PROTECTION OF THE ELDERLY ADULT
The new Constitution strengthened the recognition and protection of the rights of the elderly, under the principle of co-responsibility.
There are 293 grandparents' homes, with 10,023 capacities, and 155 nursing homes, with 12,346 beds and 3,400 day places.
There are more than 300 doctors specialized in Geriatrics and Gerontology.
RIGHTS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
The protection and care of this population group in Cuba fully corresponds to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The new Constitution ratified and strengthened the legal protection of the rights of persons with disabilities.
People with disabilities have access to the National Education System, universal and free.
The employment policy gives priority to the person with a disability for access to ordinary work.
LGBTIQ PEOPLE
The Cuban Constitution expressly prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. In turn, it recognizes the existence of different types of families.
The spaces for dialogue, study and reflection on these issues have been expanded, diversifying, with government support, awareness-raising and outreach activities.
LABOR RIGHTS
The Constitution recognizes that every person capable of working has the right to obtain a decent job, according to her choice, qualification, aptitude and the demands of the economy and society.
Those who work have the right to rest, which is guaranteed by the eight-hour shift, weekly rest and paid annual leave.
The State guarantees the right to safety and health at work.
RIGHT TO HEALTH
It is the responsibility of the State to guarantee access, gratuity and quality of care, protection and recovery services.
The National Health System is based on a public and unique model for the provision of services, free of charge, which provides comprehensive care to 100% of the population, without discrimination.
With one doctor for every 122 inhabitants, Cuba is, according to WHO, the best endowed nation in this sector.
Life expectancy is 78.45 years on average.
FREEDOMS OF OPINION, EXPRESSION AND PRESS
The material conditions for the exercise of these rights are facilitated by the fact that the fundamental means of social communication cannot be the object of private property, which ensures their exclusive use at the service of the people and the interests of the nation.
As in other countries, it is not possible to use the exercise of these rights to violate the law.
TRADE UNION FREEDOMS
Workers have the right to voluntarily associate and form trade union organizations.
Cuban trade union organizations defend and represent the interests and rights of workers.
The leaders of the trade union organizations have the necessary guarantees for the exercise of their management.CUBAN POLITICAL SYSTEM
The existence of a single party in the Cuban system is the result of historical and contemporary factors. Unlike what happens in other countries, the PCC is not an electoral party.
The political plurality of a country is not determined by the number of parties, but by the degree of participation and real representation reached by the most diverse sectors of society in the conduct of the most important affairs.
CUBAN ELECTORAL SYSTEM
The vote is free, voluntary and secret.
All citizens have the right to choose and to be elected.
The mandates of the members of the representative bodies of State power are eligible, renewable and revocable.
Regular elections are held, with a high level of popular participation.
RACIAL DISCRIMINATION
Racial and skin color discrimination is outlawed.
There is no racial segregation or racial patterns in law enforcement institutions.
The fight against all forms of racial discrimination and its eradication is a permanent objective.
CULTURAL RIGHTS AND ACCESS TO ART AND CULTURE
Cultural rights receive broad protection in Cuba. Art and culture are fostered and promoted for all people, without discrimination.
To promote access to culture, the exercise of freedom of artistic creation and the right of everyone to enjoy art and culture, the network of grassroots cultural institutions is expanded, with the aim of bringing cultural services closer to the average citizen. .
Cuban cultural policy decisively supports creation.
FREEDOM OF ARTISTIC CREATION
No Cuban artist is persecuted for what he thinks or expresses.
As in other countries, it is not possible to use the exercise of this right to violate the law.
Culture and freedom of artistic creation must not be manipulated to disguise agendas financed and organized from abroad.
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
Religious freedom is recognized, respected and guaranteed.
Everyone has the right to profess and practice or not religious beliefs.
Religious institutions freely appoint and locate their consecrated personnel.
WOMEN'S RIGHTS AND GENDER EQUALITY
The Constitution establishes equal rights and responsibilities between women and men in the economic, political, cultural, labor, social, family and other spheres.
In the National Assembly of People's Power, which is the highest body of state power, 53.2% of the deputies are women.
Women constitute 45.8% of the labor force in the civil state sector.
EDUCATION RIGHTS
Education is a right of everyone in Cuba, and the State guarantees free, affordable and quality education services for comprehensive training, from early childhood to postgraduate university education.
We have a quality educational system, with universal coverage, and free at all levels of education, which is accessed without discrimination.
Around 21.5% of current expenditures of the National Budget and more than 11% of GDP is allocated to Education.
DEMOCRACY
Democracy in Cuba is not limited to the moment of elections. It is a permanent exercise of participation, support and active control of the population to the Government.
The most recent example of democracy in Cuba is the new Constitution of the Republic, ratified in a popular referendum by the favorable vote of 86.85% of the voters.
ARBITRARY DETENTIONS AND POLITICAL PRISONERS
In Cuba there are no arbitrary detentions nor are there political prisoners.
The arrests are made in accordance with criminal procedure, for committing crimes provided for in our laws, and complying with the broad guarantees of due process.
FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION
The active participation of civil society organizations is promoted.
Associations constituted in accordance with the law freely exercise their functions, elect their representatives and directors, and carry out their activities without state interference.
With information from Granma.