Cuba: No Improvement In Human Rights
Raul Castro is “Even More of a Communist” 

By Wolfgang Polzer
Special to ASSIST News ServiceHAVANNA (ANS) – The provisional hand over of power in Cuba from the Communist leader Fidel Castro to his younger brother Raul does not signal any change in the human rights situation, according to the International Society for Human Rights (ISHR).

The provisional hand over of power in Cuba from the Communist leader Fidel Castro to his younger brother Raul does not signal any change in the human rights situation, according to the International Society for Human Rights (ISHR).The 79-year-old dictator, who has ruled Cuba since 1959, announced July 31 that he has to undergo intestinal surgery. He is expected to spend several weeks – including his 80th birthday, August 13 - in hospital. He has delegated his responsibilities to his younger brother and designated successor Raul (75).

Raul Castro is “even more of a Communist” than Fidel, commented an ISHR-spokesperson in Frankfurt to the evangelical news service “idea”. The immediate future looks “very uncertain”, according to ISHR.

The organization monitors the human rights situation in Cuba closely. According to ISHR the Communist regime is one of the worst violators of basic liberties in the world. Freedom of speech and religion are seriously impaired. Christian leaders are often arrested for alleged political opposition.

Cuba has 11.2 million inhabitants. Approximately 47 percent are church members, mainly Catholics. 36 percent are without religious affiliation, and 17 percent are spiritists.