Outside the Revolution, Nothing

Outside the Revolution, Nothing
August 19, 2012
Luis Miguel del Bahia

HAVANA TIMES — The Cuban state prioritizes the family. No one born in
Cuba can be deprived of their nationality. So says the constitution.

Nationality implies the right of residence, except in Cuba – so it seems
from what happened to a friend of mine.

She went abroad to do a PhD, but decided to stay. She was then not only
automatically disqualified for ever working in Cuba as a teacher, but
her request to re-enter the country was denied.

The consulate told her that she was not allowed to come back, giving no
further explanation. They didn't tell her how long she would have to
remain outside the country or what conditions she would have to meet.
She only got a "no" and silence – and her own tears.

Why won't they let her voluntarily come back to go on trial under the
corresponding charges they might bring against her. Who decides
arbitrarily which people to exile?

They ask for the extradition of Posada Carriles, but in this woman's
case they didn't even let her respond voluntarily to justice. All Cubans
are equal before the law; the constitution also says that.

It sounds weird to label a university professor a "deserter," like some
soldier in a war. The battle must be one of ideas, with crimes paid for
with more than thought.

She has a little girl back in Cuba, so the separation is killing her.
Possibly she has one last resort: repatriation.

If the underlying logic is that Cuba paid for her education, sufficient
economic sanctions would be enough. But the authorities think
differently: defectors must remain behind the enemy's lines.

Without a country, but without a master, she might reply.


http://www.havanatimes.org/?p=76773