Cook supports the creation of the «Parliament of Free Cubans» promoted by José Daniel Ferrer

The Cuban Electoral Defense Commission (Cocude) has announced its support for the initiative of the opposition leader José Daniel Ferrer for the formation of a Parliament of Free Cubans and the construction of unified leadership within the opposition on the island.

«Cook, with extensive experience within the electoral process in Cuba and abroad, assumes as a guarantor institution to carry out these primary elections or elections,» José Manuel Moreno, a spokesman for the organization, told Havana.

«We seek to achieve an institutionality within the opposition, where there is viable and feasible leadership that can sit or be facing the Cuban authorities,» he added.

In a recent speech on Facebook, Ferrer, who was released at the beginning of January after a negotiation between the Vatican and the Cuban regime, called on the unity of the opponents and the establishment of a structure that represents the majority of Cubans who want a democratic transition on the island.

Although Ferrer is released, the regime has kept it under surveillance and has summoned it twice. He has also prevented activists from going to his home in Altamira, Santiago de Cuba.

This Monday, the US Department of State Department on matters of the Western hemisphere denounced that Ferrer remains harassed by the authorities that have threatened him since his release «of an unfair and prolonged detention in horrible prison conditions.»

To form the Parliament of Free Cubans, Ferrer proposed the realization of primary elections that allow establishing a democratic representation of Cubans. In this regard, he stressed that social networks constitute a key tool for the organization and dissemination of this initiative.

“We are aware that this requires very large power and logistical support, especially when voting are made online or digital. Therefore, we request support from everyone who wants to provide to help us in this issue, establish the voting system and guarantee as much transparency as possible according to the established standards, ”said Moreno.

The Cuban Electoral Defense Commission is defined as an NGO dedicated to the defense of the electoral and constitutional rights of Cuban society. With experience in observation and electoral accompaniment in countries such as Colombia, Mexico, Argentina and Panama, Cooking undertakes to guarantee the transparency and legality of possible primary elections for the reorganization of the internal opposition in Cuba.

The representative of that organization, Zelandia Pérez, sent a message from the Cuban capital whom they have expressed skepticism about the initiative.

“We know that we face obstacles and a hard repression, but with a minimum of knowledge and a great desire, I would say to those people who, instead of criticizing, accompany and support us. Even without financial resources, we can achieve it, ”said Pérez.