AFT's letter to Fidel Castro - Cuba News / Noticias Sindicales

AFT's letter to Fidel Castro

April 2, 2003

H.E. Fidel Castro Ruiz
President
Republic of Cuba
Plaza de la Revolución
Havana, CUBA

Dear President Castro:

On behalf of the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO, I am writing to strongly protest the deliberate violation of fundamental labor rights perpetrated by your government.

We recently learned that over twenty labor activists and independent journalists were arrested on March 18, 2003. In addition, state security agents raided the home of Pedro Pablo Alvarez, General Secretary of the Consejo Unitario de Trabajadores Cubanos (CUTC), and confiscated his personal documents, as well as office equipment belonging to the CUTC. These actions blatantly violate ILO Conventions 87, Freedom of Association, and 89, Right to Organize, which Cuba ratified in 1952.

On behalf of the 1.3 million members of the American Federation of Teachers, I demand that your government immediately release these labor leaders and journalists. AFT members pledge to stand in solidarity with all Cuban workers who choose to organize independent unions and we will urge the international labor community to do the same.

Sincerely,

Sandra Feldman
President
cc: Education International
Public Services International
International Confederation of Free Trade Unions

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