Cuba, Osvaldo Paya & the National Democratic Institute

Overview

On July 31, 2006, Fidel Castro temporarily ceded the Cuban presidency and control of the Cuban Communist Party to his brother Ra�l Castro, and delegated lesser responsibilities to other high-ranking officials in the Cuban politburo. While many hope that this marks the beginning of a slow transition to democracy in Cuba, the Cuban authorities have made clear their determination to prolong communist rule. Recent reports have shown an increased level of acts of repudiation (actos de repudio) and further harassment of Cuban dissidents seeking peaceful change.

Despite severe repression, grassroots democratic activists on the island continue to demand their fundamental rights and work to overcome the culture of fear that has permeated Cuban society for decades. Overcoming the fear of harassment, retaliation and possible imprisonment by the Cuban authorities, courageous activists have created independent libraries, trade unions, human rights organizations and political parties.

For example, in 2002 and 2003, dissident leader Oswaldo Pay� and his network of organizers gathered more than 25,000 signatures in support of a referendum on basic human and civil liberties as part of the Varela Project. Despite the imprisonment of more than 50 of his organizers during the crackdown on Cuban dissidents in March 2003, Pay� has continued his struggle for peaceful changes through the National Dialogue and Program for All Cubans (Programa Todos Cubanos or PTC), which include proposals for a new constitution, electoral law and law of association.

National Dialogue and Program for All Cubans

In December 2003, Pay� invited Cubans of all political views - from political prisoners to members of the government - to take part in a National Dialogue on a peaceful democratic transition. As a starting point, Pay� prepared a lengthy �Working Document� raising key issues, such as the release of political prisoners, return of exiles, privatization, and preservation of free education and health care systems.

From May 2004 to May 2005, more than 12,000 Cuban citizens living on the island and in exile participated in over 3,000 discussion groups to discuss issues addressed in the National Dialogue Working Document. On May 10, 2006, the fourth anniversary of the submission of the first round of signatures in support of the Varela Project, Pay� released the results of these discussion groups in a 170-page document called the Program for All Cubans. The plan outlines the path to:

• free and open elections;
• a constitution that guarantees freedom of expression, assembly and worship;
• an independent judiciary and adherence to the rule of law;
• an open economy allowing private enterprise;
• a national social security system; and
• the reintegration of Cubans living abroad into Cuban life and society.

NDI Activites

NDI�s efforts with the Cuban pro-democracy movement began in 1991, when the Institute assisted the Cuban Democratic Platform - a coalition of exiled political party leaders from across the ideological spectrum - in providing Cubans with comparative lessons about democratic transitions in Eastern Europe and Central America.

Most recently, NDI has been helping to increase international support for Pay�s efforts. Drawing on its global network of world leaders and its unique official standing in the three largest international groupings of political parties - the Socialist, Centrist Democrat and Liberal internationals - NDI is carrying out an international campaign to garner support for the Varela Project, National Dialogue and Program for All Cubans.

In September 2002, Oswaldo Pay� received NDI�s 15th Annual W. Averell Harriman Democracy Award for his courageous efforts in promoting peaceful democratic change in Cuba. NDI also created a documentary about the Project, entitled �Dissident: Oswaldo Pay� and the Varela Project,� which has premiered in several film festivals, including the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City in May 2003.

Dissident

• To view the short film Dissident: Oswaldo Paya and the Varela Project, click here.
• To view commentary from world leaders on Paya and his movement, click here. (To view with Spanish subtitles, click here.)