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NEWS
Posted on Wed, Dec. 10, 2003
VACLEV HAVEL,
To the Cuban people on Human Rights Day
Fifty-five years ago, on Dec.
10, 1948, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It stated in its preamble:
• Recognition of the inherent dignity and of equal and inalienable
rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom,
justice and peace in the world.
• Disregard and contempt for human rights resulted in barbarous acts
which have outraged the conscience of mankind [and] the advent of the
world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief,
and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest
aspiration of the common people.
• It is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a
last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human
rights should be protected by the rule of law.
With these plain and indeed self-evident truths in mind, we, both Cubans
and non-Cubans living in the democratic world, would like to express our
solidarity with all brave men and women of Cuba still struggling for
their inalienable rights and human dignity under the difficult
conditions of an oppressive, totalitarian regime.
Our thoughts and prayers go first to the political prisoners sentenced
to long terms in prison just for their commitment to the universally
recognized rights and freedoms, and to their families. We call on all
democratic governments of the world to express their strongest possible
condemnation of these inexcusable acts of repression, blatantly
violating international obligations of Cuba and urge them to ask the
Cuban government for their immediate release.
We share the conviction that the time of dictatorship in Cuba is coming
to an end. There will be no succession after Fidel Castro, no cosmetic
changes of totalitarian system after he is gone, but the genuine return
of Cuba from the totalitarian captivity to the family of the world's
democracies.
We are committed to do our best to support your noble cause. Let us work
together, inspired by the ideals of José Martí, a genuine revolutionary
and voice of Cuba within the community of nations. Cuba must not and
will not remain a forgotten remnant from the Cold War, a kind of
open-air museum of a system that discredited itself and failed. We
believe that the dreams you inherited from Martí will come true sooner
than your jailers and persecutors would wish, and you and all Cubans
will be free.
former president, Czech Republic
MADELEINE ALBRIGHT, former secretary of state, Washington, D.C., and 37
others
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