Photo: Yaimí Ravelo

Responsibly assessing the role that Cuban lawyers must play in the country’s current context, where ethics, combating all manifestations of corruption and strengthening institutionality are priorities, the National Union of Cuban Jurists (UNJC) commenced its eighth congress this June 7, in Havana’s International Conference Center, presided by José Ramón Machado Ventura, second secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and a vice president of the Councils of State and Ministers.

Speaking during the inaugural session, Dr. Eusebio Leal Spengler highlighted the intrinsic link between Martí and Fidel, both of whom studied law, and the vital need to look back at Cuban history in order to move forward toward the future.

He also emphasized both leaders’ effort to achieve unity. Talking about Fidel, Leal Spengler stressed the significance of his Concept of Revolution, a “concept which we must not dogmatize or allow to become dead letter, but must deconstruct, line by line, to find behind each a source of thought and action for today and tomorrow.”

During his presentation of the Congress’ Central Report, President of the UNJC, José Alexis Ginarte Gato, highlighted the important role jurists must play “in the socialist and prosperous society we are building,” through “strengthening ideology, adherence to ethics, perfecting professional training, responding in a timely fashion to problems associated with the country’s legal system, as well as putting an end to bureaucratic practices and outdated mentalities.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Johana Odriozola Guitart spoke about the work of lawyers in the updating of the Cuban economic model and the correct application of the law, noting that it is their responsibility to put an end to “juxtaposing, complicated, vast, and generally unintelligible legal systems.”

During the inaugural session the UNJC presented Dr. Eusebio Leal with the Mallete Martiano Distinction, for his outstanding work as an educator and promoter of patriotic values.

Also participating in the event were Teresa Amarelle Boué, a Party Political Bureau member and secretary general of the Federation of Cuban Women; Homero Acosta Álvarez, secretary of the Council of State; María Esther Reus, minister of Justice; Rubén Remigio Ferro, president of the People’s Supreme Court, and Attorney General of the Republic, Darío Delgado Cura,.



