You read that in a study done by an NGO, and it's entirely possible. However, this happens everywhere in the world, even in Canada.
On the UN's website, under Human Rights Committee, you can find reports presented by the States in compliance with the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Convention Against Torture and the International Convention on the Rights of the Child. I invite you to look at Canada's reports, which sometimes spark heated debates and often exasperate members of the UN committee. You will see that even the States and governments of industrialized nations have a hard time effectively protecting human rights.
As you know, the United States has not recognized the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Culture Rights, nor does it recognize the International Convention on the Rights of the Child. In addition, the U.S. has not signed on to the Kyoto Protocol, and I could give you more examples. This is also true of other countries.
For this reason, the situation is very delicate. When we turn our attention to human rights in Cuba, we tend too often to politicize the issue. We resort to using words that are often too similar to U.S. propaganda and unfortunately, we lack objectivity. Indeed, there are probably prisoners in Cuba who have been released and are being monitored, but the exact same thing occurs in Montreal, and in all provinces of Canada.
What must be examined is the gap that exists in Cuba between economic and social rights, and civil and political rights, and put these in context. The situation as a whole must be examined. Let me remind you that in 2004, the United States created the Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba, an unprecedented act in human history. The Helms-Burton Act and the Torricelli Act were also unprecedented initiatives. In addition to exerting diplomatic and political pressure on other countries within the UN and within the Organization of American States, the US has also adopted national legislation.
Section 3 of this Act spells out in minute detail how the Government of Cuba should structure itself and how the transition should take place. This Act was condemned by the Government of Canada, which in turn passed legislation to counter extraterritorial measures. In addition, when the Royal Bank refused to allow some Canadian citizens to open an account, the Government of Canada was forced to intervene and to state that the provisions of the Helms-Burton Act did not apply here in Canada and that some caution was in order.
Unfortunately, the exercise of civil and political rights in Cuba must be analyzed in this context. Democratic freedoms are permitted and authorized to the extent that citizens to do not violate Cuban sovereignty and do not destabilize the political regime.
However, when that happens, unfortunately, they are eliminated. Is that a good thing? No, it is not.