Published, April 7, 2000, in the WASHINGTON TIMES

IT’S THE LAW

The Cuban Constitution and a 1978 law that forms part of the nation’s “Children and Youth Code” stipulates that children should be raised to embody the “spirit of communism,” and a “communist personality.”

Portions of the constitution, adopted hi 1976:

Article 39: “The education of children and young people in the spirit of communism is the duty of all society.”

Article 61: Actions “contrary to the decision of the Cuban people to build socialism and communism… can be punished by law.”

Cuba’s law No.16 of the “Children and Youth Code,” adopted in 1976:

Article 3: The state’s goal is the creation of “communism’s new generation.”

Article 5: Requires all adults who come in contact with the child to set an example and help mold the child’s “communist personality.”

Article 8: Protects the child from influences contrary to communist development.”

Article 18: Requires teachers to develop children’s “communist personality.”

Article 23: Requires developing the “proper political attributes” in children.

Articles 33 and 68: Stipulate that children be raised according to principles of “Marxist-Leninism.”

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