The United States’s incarceration of the “Cuban Five” proves that it has no respect for humanity and justice, the ANC Youth League said on Thursday.
In a statement supporting the release of the Cuban Five, the league criticised the US government for its approach to international politics.
“In the spirit of international and human solidarity, the ANC Youth League is of the conviction that the incarceration of the Cuban Five by the United States government is not only unjust, but a gross violation of human rights and disrespect of the integrity and sovereignty of Cuba.
“There is no international law or treaty in the world of civilised human beings which allows and approves detentions without fair trial, but the United States of America is ignoring such a reality.”
The five Cuban intelligence officers — Antonio Guerrero, Ren Gonzlez, Ramn Labaino, Gerardo Hernndez, and Fernando Gonzlez — were convicted in 2001 for participating in a scheme to infiltrate US military bases and keep tabs on Cuban exiles for Fidel Castro’s government.
Gonzalez (55) was released earlier this month after serving 13 years in a US prison. However, he was reportedly ordered to remain in the US for three years of “supervised release”, drawing much criticism from people who want him returned to Cuba.
On Thursday, the league called on US President Barack Obama to prove that he was not a “puppet” by showing justice to the Cuban Five.
“All progressive forces in the world should heighten the voices against imperialist domination and bullying of other countries, simply because of their military strength.”
The ruling party recently instituted disciplinary action against the youth league leadership for violating the ruling party’s constitution, after utterances made on toppling the Botswana government.
It believed the government there was “in full cooperation with imperialists” and undermining the “African agenda”.
The ANC publicly rebuked the league and hauled the entire leadership to a disciplinary hearing.
This included league president Julius Malema, league spokesperson Floyd Shivambu, youth league deputy president Ronald Lamola, secretary general Sindiso Magaqa, deputy secretary general Kenetswe Mosenogi and treasurer general Pule Mabe.
“At the risk of facing disciplinary action for speaking about affairs of another country, the ANCYL is fully behind the calls for the immediate release of the Cuban Five,” the league said. — Sapa