Cuba: Black Spring Seven Year Anniversary Amidst Desperation and Hunger Strikes
For four days in March 2003, in what is known as the Cuban Black Spring, 75 Cuban journalists, librarians, and democracy and human rights activists were arrested and imprisoned by Cuban government officials. Those detained were sentenced to six to 28 years for their peaceful advocacy for political, social and economic reforms.
This March 18 marks the seventh anniversary of that event. Fifty-three of the original 75 still remain in prison, many of them suffering under severe conditions as well as physical and emotional abuse. According to the Cuban Commission on Human Rights, there are approximately 200 political prisoners in Cuba.
Read More »More Work Needed to Develop Public Trust in New Philippine Automated Voting System, NDI Delegation Says
Concerted efforts will be needed to develop public trust in the Philippines’ first automated election to be held May 10, according to the findings of an international pre-election delegation organized by NDI.
“While progress has been made in many areas, concerns remain as to the efficacy of the election preparations and the lack of dialogue between those administering the process and civil society groups committed to effectively monitoring it,” the delegation said in a statement released at a news conference in Manila on Saturday.
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NDI recently established a partnership with the Algerian Muslim Scouts (SMA) to encourage members to participate in public life. The SMA counts some 15,000 young men and women as leaders and 130,000 members across Algeria. By working together and building on a previous joint initiative to encourage civic education among young people, NDI and the SMA hope to inspire members to channel their energy into positive community action.
Gerard Latulippe, NDI’s resident director in Haiti, has been in Washington coordinating NDI’s efforts in response to the Jan. 12 earthquake. NDI has been supporting Initiative Committees that are mobilizing to support national and international relief efforts. Latulippe was in Port-au-Prince when the earthquake hit and describes the harrowing circumstances as well as NDI’s ongoing efforts.
