The Reality of the Totalitarian World

at 9:38 AM Friday, June 17, 2011


A chronicle of Cuban independent journalist and former political prisoner Pablo Pacheco's (who was recently released and banished to Spain) trip to London, where he participated in Amnesty International's 50th Anniversary event:

On Monday, Sue invited me to meet with a group of Amnesty International students, with professors of Henley College and a group of French students. These young students, who are in the process of completing their high school careers and in a few years will be the future of their country, do not know the reality of the totalitarian world; the world of suffering unleashed upon some people through hate, intolerance, thirst for power, disrespect for human rights and the lack of freedoms imposed by those who reside in power.

The questions about Cuba quickly began. The most frequent ones were about education and health care.

I explained that in my country, since children are 6-years old they must shout daily slogans such as, "Pioneers for Communism, we will strive to be like Che" in the mornings. I told them that we Cubans want our children to be whatever they strive to be and not like Che because -- despite the fact that the Cuban dictatorship has sold his image as an example for the world to follow -- this man is not an example worth emulating for kids, for he assassinated many Cubans simply because they were against the communist regime which has ruled Cuba for 52 years. In the same vein, I explained to them how Cuban students are separated from their parents when they become 12-years old and are sent to rural schools to study and work, in addition to receiving communist indoctrination, which marks them for their entire lives and impedes them from personal initiatives and from thinking freely. That is not the kind of free education we want, I affirmed.

Then I detailed how upon students completing their high school careers, in order to enter the university, they must be members of the Young Communist Union. As if that were not enough, those who succeed because of their talent and hard work in school find themselves working for a miserable monthly salary of less than 20 euros.

As far as the "free health care" and the "medical potential" which the regime boasts about, I explained to them how in Cuba tourists are provided with hospitals with technology that is much more advanced than what is found in hospitals for nationals. In fact, in hospitals, I explained, there is apartheid practiced against nationals, for we do not receive the same medical quality or attention that is provided to foreigners who pay with convertible currency. I concluded this point by explaining that the regime pays for the public health service with all of the money it steals from its workers, including doctors.

Lastly, I shared with them what I experienced during the 7 years and 4 months I spent in captivity just for writing what my conscience dictates and for denouncing the cruel reality my people face, which the dictatorship tries to hide through its propaganda and distortions of the truth. In Cuba, the life of an average person is very different from the lifestyle of the leaders of the revolution, who live like aristocrats.

The majority of the students showed concern for the changes my young son has experienced in exile. They asked how he felt in Spain and how he has adapted to this new world. I told them that Jimmy is happy because he recuperated what had been stolen from him - the company of his father, a good morning kiss, the hug before going to sleep, and most importantly, the desire to be a normal kid.

One student said, "From now on, I am going to value what I have much more, such as living in a democratic country and knowing that, despite mistakes of our types of government, there is a sharp contrast between what we live and what your people live. We have options, we are free to express ourselves, and of choosing our own paths. Thank you, Pablo, for making me appreciate what I have."

A knot took over my throat and at the moment, more than ever before, I understood the importance of awaking the conscience of others in regards to Cuba. “Thank you all for sharing this unforgettable moment with me”, I responded.