Date: Tue, 09 Sep 1997 09:44:49 +0200 From: Jordi Petit Subject: Cuba: protest by ILGA Barcelona / Sydney, 27 August 1997 PROTEST BY ILGA AND PETITION TO END PARALYSATION OF GAY OPENING-UP PROCESS IN CUBA After a police round-up on the 23rd of August at a gay meeting place called "El Periquitón" in Havana, ILGA Co-General Secretaries Jordi Petit (Barcelona) and Jennifer Wilson (Sydney) have written a letter of protest to the Cuban Ambassador in Spain (attached). It has come to ILGA's attention that on Sunday the 24th, the police carried out identity checks at "Mi Cayito" beach, an area frequented largely by gay people. At lunch time today, Jordi Petit, ILGA Co-General Secretary had a conversation with the Cuban Embassy Press-Officer who insisted that there is no persecution of homosexuals in Cuba, rather concern about drugs or other crime in all places where people meet. He was unaware of the events of the 23rd and 24th and alluded to smear campaigns against his country. Homosexuality is mentioned in article 203 of the Cuban Penal Code, being punishable with up to one year in prison for its manifestation in public. The true situation however is quite arbitrary. There are no real gay meeting establishments, but private parties called "10 Pesos" (cost of admission). A system of "warnings" exists for Cuban gays who are identified at these places (a third written warning can mean a prison term). Nevertheless, despite such arbitrary police practice, in the last few years there has been a shift towards greater tolerance of gay parties and gatherings. Far from promoting any type of opportunistic anti-Cuba campaign, it is ILGA's desire that the process of emancipation of lesbians and gays in Cuba prosper, that the events pointed out do not signify retrocession of the present situation and that all intimidation cease. Barcelona / Sydney, 27th August 1997 Sra. Doña Rosario Navas Morata Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba in Spain Your Excellency Greetings on behalf of ILGA, International Lesbian and Gay Association, federation of 300 organisations in 75 countries, founded in 1978. We are deeply disturbed to learn of the police round-up carried out on Saturday 23rd August at a gay meeting-place, the establishment "El Periquitón", information which has been confirmed by our own investigations. We have also received the news that on Sunday the 24th, police carried out identity checks at "Mi Cayito" beach, frequented largely by gay people. We urge you to take note of our strongest protest against these attacks on gay rights in your country and to pass this on to your Government. Please advise us whether any foreigners were detained in this round up and of the treatment received by foreigners and Cuban citizens alike. Furthermore, we demand that this type of arbitrary aggression against homosexuals in Cuba cease immediately. We also wish to express our frustration over these regrettable events, given that we had been observing an opening-up process in Cuba in recent years with respect to tolerance of gay parties and gatherings. We strongly urge that this process not become paralysed. Yours, Jordi Petit / Jennifer Wilson Co-General Secretaries, ILGA ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ILGA - International Lesbian and Gay Association 81 Kolenmarkt, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium Phone/Fax +32-2-502-2471, E-mail: ilga@ilga.org http://www.ilga.org A federation of over 300 groups from 80 countries fighting for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. We also have over 100 supportive associate and individual members. Will you join us? Contact us for more info!