SPA

Summary of Proposals for the Democratic Transition in Cuba

• Cut-off Date: April 21, 2025

• Number of proposals submitted: 63

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This report synthesizes the proposals presented by eleven independent Cuban civil society organizations. The points of consensus have been organized into key thematic areas, reflecting a shared vision of the necessary steps for the democratization of the island.

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Transitional Justice

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The establishment of a justice system that addresses the past and secures the future is a cross-cutting priority.

• Independent Judiciary: The most repeated proposal is the need to organize a judiciary that is independent, impartial, and professional.

• Release of Prisoners and Repeal of Laws: The immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience is demanded. It is essential to repeal laws that violate human rights, such as "Law 88" (Gag Law) and the "Law of Pre-criminal Social Danger."

• Truth and Justice Mechanisms: The creation of a Truth Commission is proposed to investigate and document human rights violations. Likewise, the establishment of transitional justice courts is contemplated to prosecute crimes against humanity with due process guarantees.

• Legal Guarantees: It is crucial to establish a legal remedy (recurso de amparo) to protect citizens' rights and to declare the non-prescribability of politically motivated murder in the new Penal Code.

Armed Forces and Internal Order

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The reform of state security institutions is a pillar for dismantling the repressive apparatus and ensuring non-repetition.

• Professionalization of the Armed Forces: It is demanded to promote and guarantee the professionalism, dignity, and political neutrality of the Armed Forces.

• Dissolution of Repressive Bodies: The dissolution of the "political police" and other repressive bodies used for persecution is fundamental. It must be ensured that their functions are not transferred to new structures.

• Creation of a Civil Police Force: The creation of a police force that is civilian in nature, professional, depoliticized, and respectful of human rights is proposed.

• Vetting and Training: A vetting commission is necessary to evaluate backgrounds and remove those who have committed serious human rights violations. Additionally, democratic training must be established for the new forces.

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Democratic Construction and Participation

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The design of a new democratic institutional framework is the central axis of the proposals, based on popular sovereignty and pluralism.

• Legalization of Parties and Organizations: A unanimous demand is the immediate legalization of all political parties and civil society organizations, guaranteeing freedom of association, expression, and the press.

• Provisional Government and Constituent Assembly: The formation of an inclusive provisional government is proposed to avoid power vacuums. Most proposals agree on calling for elections for a Constituent Assembly or Congress within a period not exceeding one year.

• New Constitution: The Constituent Assembly will have the mandate to draft a new Constitution that guarantees fundamental freedoms and the separation of powers. Several proposals suggest using the 1940 Constitution as an applicable reference during the transition.

• Free Elections: Once the new Constitution is established, free general elections will be called, supervised by international observers.

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Social Affairs (Education, Health, Housing)

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The proposals aim to ensure the well-being of the population, de-ideologize basic services, and protect the most vulnerable.

• Protection of Housing and Fundamental Rights: The need to protect Cubans from arbitrary eviction from their homes, as well as from arbitrary detentions, searches, and confiscations, is reiterated.

• Restructuring of Public Services: It is proposed to guarantee quality and accessible health and education services for all, eliminating the politicization of these sectors.

• Social Protection: It is key to implement assistance programs to care for the most disadvantaged sectors and to prevent economic liberalization from leaving millions in poverty.

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Economy

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The economic proposals are oriented towards a model that combines economic freedom with social protection.

• Promotion of the Private Sector: It is proposed to legalize and promote the private sector, eliminating bureaucratic obstacles and providing incentives for entrepreneurs.

• Structural Reforms: Measures include the redistribution of state lands to farmers and cooperatives, attracting foreign investment with clear regulations, and unifying the currencies to stabilize the economy with the support of international organizations.

• Preservation of Essential Services: It is considered important to temporarily preserve essential health and education services, financed with international aid or new revenues.

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Environment and Cultural Heritage
 

Several organizations point out the importance of addressing issues that have been postponed for decades.

• Protection and Rescue: It is proposed to take urgent measures to protect environmental security and to rescue the national heritage.

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Other Mentioned Proposals

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Additionally, other relevant ideas were presented that, although not the most repeated, contribute to the vision of the transition:

• Unity of the Opposition: Promote the union of all opposition movements and leaders on a common platform and establish a national civic front. A specific proposal suggests that this front be represented by Cuba Decide and its leader, Rosa María Payá.

• International Pressure and Support: Request the international community to suspend aid to the regime and apply sanctions to repressors.

• Transition Models: Use the experiences of transitions in Eastern European countries, such as Poland, the Czech Republic, and Germany, as a reference.

• Civic Education: Implement civic education programs to prepare the population for a democratic system, given the lack of prior experience.