UPDATED 3.22.26
Katharine Lake Berz is a journalist at the top of her game.
Katharine Lake Berz is a journalist, commentator and frequent contributor to the Toronto Star. She wrote a column in the Saturday, Mar 21st Toronto Star presenting a discussion between Christie Neufeldt, officer in the United Church of Canada and member of the Americas Policy Group and Michael Lima, Cuban-Canadian human rights researcher and director of the non-governmental organization Democratic Spaces.
[ The entire article -> ARTICLE ]
[ Summarized version -> SUMMARY ]
[UPDATED 3.22.26 “CUBA CAN’T LIVE LIKE THIS“]
Neufeldt
Neufeldt’s position seems to be one where human beings are the first concern. Cuba is being victimized by decades of American foreign anti-Cuba policies, embargoes and trade restrictions which punish the people of Cuba with limitations on necessary supplies for living normal or regular lives. Fuel, oil, even medical supplies are trade restricted by American policies and demands placed on countries who trade with Cuba. T**** has just exacerbated the restrictions with his tariffs declarations.
Neufeldt deals with Cubans as people, without political judgement or political goals. Humanitarian assistance is needed, Embargoes should be lifted. Trade restrictions eased. She references the defense of the United Nations’ Charter calling for respect of territorial integrity, swovereignty and political independence. She underlines that the current embargos against Cuba are illegal under international law and that Canada, along with 164 other UN members voted for an end of the American embargoes, widely seen as a form of economic warfare. U.S. sanctions should be lifted according to Neufeldt.
According to Neufeldt, this is a humanitarian crisis and Canada should take a more open position in support of Cuba and giving the country humanitarian aid.
Lima
Lima’s position is a political one as he opposes the Cuba government for its human rights violations, its lack of citizen freedom and its authoritarian government. Hundreds of dissenting Cubans are imprisoned in filthy, diseased ridden conditions, beaten, denied medical care and held in prolonged isolation.
He calls on the Canadian government to demand the release of these political prisoners and press the Cuban government to permit the International Red Cross to visit the prisons, something which has not been allowed since 1989.
Lima is critical of the goverment of Cuba as an authoritarian regime that forbids political freedoms, free elections and a restoration of the 1940 constitution. He feels the sanctions should be more focused, meaning Magnitsky sanctions aimed at the specific officials responsible for the abuses or corruptions. The sanctions should target the Cuban Interior Ministry, the main instrument of repression according to Lima.
Lima further poses that the Cuba government has stripped citizens of autonomy, removed any freedoms they may have had, and taken away their economic freedom. “Sanctions on the regime may affect the population, but the root cause of the crisis is the system itself.” Sanctions are the problem. The authoritarian government is the problem.Lima calls on the Canadian embassy in Cuba to meet with the defenders of human rights in Cuba and for the Canadian government to remove Cubavision Internacional, a state-run satellite channel from Canada.
“The humanitarian crisis will not be solved by humanitarian aid alone.” His call is for political action and political freedom for Cubans to choose its kind of goverment and that would give Cubans the freedom to express what they think and want as their government. The message Cubans send is seen in the graffiti people write: “Down with dictatorship,” “Freedom,” and “Democracy.” Lima feels the Canadian government needs to show open support of the Cuban people.
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Szpin commentary
The Neufeldt-Lima discussion is a basic needs vs philosophical freedom one. The majority of Cubans need food, fuel and humanitarian assistance first and foremost. Government change is secondary. Both commentators are correct in their positions and what they promote but survival trumps political philosophy. The Cubans need to eat before they can debate government restrictions. Humanitarian aid should be the utmost priority. The physical survival of 11 million people should be international priority. The Cuba people should be allowed to live.
Katharine Lake Berzy is an outstanding journalist who interviews her interviewees objectively, thoroughly and fully. She presents them openly and captures their core points neutrally and objectively and publishes interviews that are fair and balanced. The Cuba discussion is an excellent example of professional and outstanding journalism.
