Corbacho Daudinot v. Puig Valdes et al

Filing 1

COMPLAINT UNDER THE TORTURE VICTIM PROTECTION ACT against All Defendants. Filing fees $ 400.00 receipt number 113C-5898756, filed by MIGUEL ANGEL CORBACHO DAUDINOT. (Attachments: #1 Civil Cover Sheet, #2 Summon(s), #3 Exhibit A, #4 Exhibit B, #5 Exhibit C, #6 Exhibit D, #7 Exhibit E, #8 Exhibit F, #9 Exhibit G, #10 Exhibit H, #11 Exhibit I, #12 Exhibit J, #13 Exhibit K, #14 Exhibit L, #15 Exhibit M, #16 Exhibit N, #17 Exhibit O, #18 Exhibit P, #19 Exhibit Q, #20 Exhibit R, #21 Exhibit S, #22 Exhibit T, #23 Exhibit U)(Gonzalez, Avelino)

Exhibit P

ESTABLISHING THE RULE
OF LAW IN CUBA

By

Laura Patallo Sánchez

INSTITUTE FOR CUBAN AND CUBAN-AMERICAN STUDIES
UNIVERSITY

OF

MIAMI

ISBN: 1-932385-03-7. Published in 2003.

ESTABLISHING THE RULE
OF LAW IN CUBA

Cuba Transition Project – CTP
The Cuba Transition Project, at the Institute for Cuban and Cuban-American
Studies (ICCAS), University of Miami, is an important and timely project to
study and make recommendations for the reconstruction of Cuba once the
post-Castro transition begins in earnest. The transitions in Central and
Eastern Europe, Nicaragua, and Spain are being analyzed and lessons drawn
for the future of Cuba. The project began in January 2002 and is funded by
a grant from the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Programs and Activities
•

The CTP is publishing original research, with practical alternative
recommendations on various specific aspects of the transition
process, commissioned and written for the CTP by ICCAS Staff and
U.S. and foreign scholars with expertise on Cuba.

• The CTP is developing four key databases:
1. A full-text database of published and unpublished articles written
on topics of transition in Cuba, as well as articles on transition in
Central and Eastern Europe, Nicaragua, and Spain. It also
includes an extensive bibliography of published and unpublished
books, theses, and dissertations on the topic.
2. A full-text database of Cuba’s principal laws, in Spanish, its legal
system, including the current Cuban Constitution (in English and
Spanish), and other legislation relating to the structure of the
existing government. Also included are the full-text of law
review articles on a variety of topics
3. A database on joint ventures and foreign investments in Cuba.
4. Cuba On-Line, a database of historical and current information
on Cuba. It includes a chronology from 1492 to the present and
a comprehensive bibliography on most Cuba related topics.
•

The CTP publishes electronically an information service, Cuba
Focus, reporting on current issues of importance on Cuba.

All the products of the CTP, including the databases and subscription to
Cuba Focus, are free and available to the public on the web at

http://ctp.iccas.miami.edu.
The CTP can also be contacted at P.O. Box 248174, Coral Gables,
Florida 33124-3010, Tel: 305-284-CUBA (2822), Fax: [phone], and e-mail: [e-mail].

ESTABLISHING THE RULE
OF LAW IN CUBA

Prepared for the Cuba Transition Project (CTP)
Institute for Cuban and Cuban-American Studies
University of Miami

By

Laura Patallo Sánchez

This publication was made possible through support provided
by the Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean, U.S.
Agency for International Development, under the terms of
Award No. EDG-A-00-02-00007-00. The opinions expressed
herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the
views of the U.S. Agency for International Development.
The author thanks Professor Alan Swan of the University of
Miami School of Law for his valuable insights regarding the
rule of law and his comments on this paper.

Executive Summary
A principal goal of many developing countries and countries in transition is the creation of a law-based state. This emphasis arises from the
widely held belief that the existence of the rule of law, accompanied by
democracy and political freedom, is necessary for growth and economic
prosperity.
The rule of law replaces arbitrary will with the requirement that the
state articulate reasons to support the use of power, and it promises that
citizens may be bound only by commands that are the result of a fair,
rational process. In order to achieve its goals, the rule of law requires fairly generalized rule through law, a substantial amount of legal predictability, a legislative function to promulgate the commands and a separate
adjudicative process to establish their legitimacy and particular applications, and widespread adherence to the principle that no one is above the
law.
The democratic ideal further requires that a genuine law-based state
must be legitimized by the consent of the governed. The democratic lawbased state is therefore closest to the ideal of the rule of law in that it
presupposes accountability to its citizens and an active civil society that
respects the basic rights and freedoms of its citizens.
Within this conceptual framework, establishing a law-based state
requires the creation of a legal framework both to support and define the
operations of the state and to create the parameters within which individuals, businesses, and other legal entities may function. For this framework to assume vitality, democratic institutions must be created, institutions not only capable of producing rules but also capable of providing
standards for determining which rules are to be recognized. Finally, a rule
of law culture must be developed, and individuals must come to believe
that law, in its proper sphere, is supreme.
Today, Cuba does not operate under what can be described, even
under the broadest description, as a rule of law. Cuba, of course, is ruled
by law in that there is a plethora of laws in Cuba. However, Cuba is not
a government constrained by law. The lack of any democratic institutions
i

and the lack of respect for law and state authority in general will make the
transition to democracy and the creation of a law-based state in Cuba a
long and arduous process. It will entail not only the creation of new democratic institutions and a completely new legal framework, but also, and
perhaps most difficult, the creation of a civil society with respect for law
and public institutions — a rule of law culture.
After a transition begins, Cuba will be required to build the rule of
law from the ground up. The process should begin with an attempt at
building a rule of law culture. Creating a rule of law culture will require
that citizens begin to participate in the political life of the nation and create, through and by their consent, a new government, accountable to its
citizens. The clearest way to manifest the consent to a new government is
through popular adoption of a constitution. The process of promulgating
post-communist constitutions has differed in transition countries but all
of the countries of East and Central Europe and Russia have taken this
important step in their efforts to create democratic law-based states.
Cubans should establish a process for the adoption of a constitution
that reflects the values of the society, sets the parameters for the state, and
sets forth the basic rights of citizens. Procedures should be established for
the creation of some kind of constituent assembly in which representatives would debate and draft a proposed constitution. The constitutional
assembly should include either an equal or proportionate number of
representatives from all sectors of Cuban society, including opposition
groups or dissident groups, whether in Cuba or in exile, members of the
Cuban Communist Party (Partido Comunista Cubano – PCC), and members of any other political party or non-governmental organization
that exists in Cuba at the time a transition begins. Each representative
group would select its delegates. The draft constitution should be
adopted by popular vote or by a majority of delegates or representatives
to the constituent assembly. Depending on the procedures established,
competitive elections could follow or precede the promulgation of a new
constitution.
The process of creating the rule of law does not end, however, with
the promulgation of a new constitution. The creation of democratic institutions that further support the rule of law must follow. Building democratic institutions, particularly where none have existed, will take years.
While the importance and difficulty of creating democratic institutions
ii

cannot be underestimated, efforts must be made to establish such institutions because without them no structure will be available for governance
and reforms will stall or fail.
The institutions created to legitimize the use of state power should
include institutions that will permit accountability and protect the expectations created by the rule of law. Accordingly, numerous institutions
should be created and developed, including a democratic electoral
process and a free press. Free elections and a free press will enhance
accountability and permit the strengthening of democratic ideals and
institutions. Other existing institutions, including the judiciary, the legal
profession, the educational system, and law enforcement, must also be
reformed or recreated to function in an open society. An independent judiciary, independent lawyers trained to advocate cases on behalf of clients
and uphold individual and property rights, an educational system that fosters civic values and seeks to teach citizens about their rights and obligations in a free society, and a police force free of corruption that is no
longer used for repressive purposes are all necessary to create a strong,
free society.
Another major component of reform is the incorporation of the concepts of separation of powers and judicial review into the constitution.
The introduction of these two concepts into a new Cuban Constitution
will create institutional constraints on power and operate to control the
abuse or misuse of power.
Once transition begins and a legislative body is constituted, the
process of creating a legal framework for Cuba can begin in earnest. The
newly constituted legislature should have the authority to repeal existing
laws and pass the many new laws necessary to foster economic growth
and protect the rights of citizens. As part of this process, the legislature
should consider creating procedures to review existing laws to determine
which require immediate repeal or reform and to determine what areas of
legislation require immediate attention. Among the laws requiring immediate repeal are numerous criminal laws that violate individual or human
rights, such as the law against “dangerousness,” laws labeling those who
speak against Fidel Castro or the government as “counterrevolutionaries”
and making them subject to criminal prosecution, and laws limiting free
speech or the freedom to assemble. Among the areas of immediate concern for reform or the passage of new laws are laws governing entry into
iii

or exit from the market including laws permitting ownership of private
property, establishing contract rights and governing the creation of business entities, such as corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies, etc. and banking and finance laws. Each area of reform will require
extensive study and debate, as well as numerous attempts at drafting.
Because all reforms cannot be undertaken at once, the process is often
incremental. Nonetheless, a big push should be made in the initial stages
in an effort to create a basis for immediate economic and political reform
and the creation of new institutions to support the reforms.
Finally, new laws must be tailored to Cuba’s present circumstances
and to create standards of behavior that are consistent with the political,
economic, and moral values of the society, as well as its traditions and
cultural norms. Laws that fail to accommodate these factors can be rejected, widely disregarded, or fail to operate as intended.
Establishing the rule of law is arguably one of the most important
and difficult elements of transition. The task of transforming Cuba
from a lawless society to a law-based one will require changes not only
in the legal order but also the political, social, and cultural order. Success
is not ensured. Reforms likely will be pursued against the opposition of
an entrenched bureaucracy and extensive cronyism. Ultimately, the
success of democratic reforms will require broad support by all segments
of society.
A culture capable of supporting the rule of law will begin to develop
if that broad support materializes and the majority of citizens consent to
a given form of government, accept a democratic rule of law, and conform their behavior to the norms set forth in the laws. Further strengthening of the rule of law culture will occur over time as citizens begin to
see that the government is in fact accountable to them, that their political
leaders respect the law and do not hold themselves above it, that the
institutions they create operate to protect their individual rights and the
rights of others in society, that there are processes and mechanisms
for checking state power, and that they are generally benefited by
conforming to laws.

iv

Establishing the Rule of Law in Cuba
Introduction
The existence of the rule of law is commonly associated with democracy, freedom, and economic prosperity. It is not surprising, then, that
establishing a rule of law is the stated goal of many developing countries
and countries undergoing transition. But what is the rule of law? What
institutions support it? What does establishing the rule of law entail?
What can we expect the process to be like? Can it be hastened?
These questions must be addressed in any discussion regarding the
future of Cuba. The process of transition is by its nature somewhat fluid,
and the processes or programs implemented at the time a transition begins
may have to be adapted to changing or unexpected conditions.
Nonetheless, this discussion can serve as a guide in any future efforts to
create a law-based state in Cuba by clarifying the nature of the rule of law
and identifying and addressing the elements necessary to establish it.
The purposes of this paper are 1) to provide an overview of the concept of the rule of law; 2) to provide an overview of Cuba’s current legal
and political structure as they relate to the rule of law; and 3) to discuss
ways the rule of law can be promoted in Cuba after a transition.

The Rule of Law Defined1
In framing a government which is to be administered by
men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: You must
first enable the government to … [control] the governed;
and in the next place, oblige it to … [control] itself.2
The rule of law is an ideal that, at its most basic level, seeks to control the use of power. It requires that power be used only if the exercise
of that power is authorized or permitted by law or by a legal grant of
power from a legitimate, legally constituted authority. The rule of law
1

incorporates two principal ideas: 1) laws must replace the arbitrary use of
power; and 2) all persons are equal before the law and are subject to the
law.3 Arbitrary will is replaced by the requirement that the state articulate
reasons supporting the use of power.4
The rule of law does not promise results so much as it
promises an approach, a process, a practice of reason
giving, a set of argumentative conventions. The rule of
law sets bounds to its discourse. Insofar as the rule of law
is itself a rule, it is a rule of inclusion and exclusion of
reasons, a rule of pedigree.5
Thus, the rule of law promises that citizens may be bound only by
lawful commands and that a fair, rational process permits citizens to challenge the state’s power. The rule of law also promises individual freedom to pursue prosperity or happiness without undue interference from
the state.6 In order to fulfill these promises, “the rule of law requires
fairly generalized rule through law; a substantial amount of legal predictability…; a significant separation between the legislative and the
adjudicative function; and widespread adherence to the principle that no
one is above the law.”7
The rise of constitutionalism has added an additional element to the
conception of the rule of law. In order to establish a true rule of law, a
government that purports to create a law-based state must be legitimized
by the consent of the governed. If there is no consent on the part of the
governed, the requirements of the rule of law are not met, as even tyrants
and dictators can claim that theirs is a rule by or through law. The democratic law-based state is therefore the closest to the ideal of the rule of law
in that it presupposes accountability to its citizens and an active civil
society that respects the basic rights and freedoms of its citizens.8
James W. Torke, professor of law at the University of Indiana, has
described the rule of law as a three-level pyramid.9 The uppermost level
of the pyramid consists of laws themselves, such as the constitution,
statutes, rules, and regulations. These are law’s “formal constraints.”10
The middle section of the pyramid consists of institutions such as constitutional government, separation of powers, judicial review by independent courts, a free press, free elections, and open governmental processes.
2

These are “institutional constraints.”11 The base of the pyramid, the part
that supports the whole structure, is the belief in the rule of law — the
belief that law, in its proper sphere, is supreme.12 Without widespread
acceptance of this belief, a rule of law cannot be supported.
Within this conceptual framework, establishing a law-based state
requires the creation of a legal framework supporting the operation of the
state and creating the parameters within which individuals, businesses,
and other legal entities may function. In order to create, implement, interpret, and apply those laws, democratic institutions must be created to
establish parameters for producing rules and to provide standards for
determining which rules will be recognized.13 Finally, a rule of law
culture must be developed and individuals must come to believe in the
promises and accept the obligations of the rule of law.

The Status of the Rule of Law in Cuba
Cuba’s history as an independent nation reflects a less than exemplary regard for the rule of law. Throughout the short life of the Republic,
from 1902 to 1959, Cubans pursued the ideal of creating a democracy;
indeed, the dream of an independent, democratic, and socially just Cuba
had fueled the drive for independence. Though a variety of political parties flourished and attempted to participate in the political life of the
nation during the years of the Republic, neither the observance of laws
nor respect for institutions was ever very strong. The years between independence and Castro’s rise to power were marked by periods of relative
stability followed by political and civil unrest. Corruption and venality
were serious obstacles to the political and economic development of the
country and the creation of a democratic state. On numerous occasions,
elections were marked by fraud or were suspended due to civil unrest,
and, as a result, Cuba suffered several military occupations by the United
States pursuant to the infamous Platt Amendment.14
A high point in Cuban political history was the promulgation of the
1940 Cuban Constitution by a Constitutional Assembly made up of
representatives of all of Cuba’s political parties. The 1940 constitution
was viewed as a breakthrough in Cuba’s political life and was intended to
establish the parameters of a democratic state with an emphasis on the
promotion of social equality. Many hoped that the new constitution,
3

adopted with such broad support, would herald a new era in Cuban politics. The high hopes were soon dashed. Many of the provisions of the
1940 constitution were never fully implemented, and political instability
was not ameliorated. The last free presidential elections in Cuba took
place in 1948, as Batista’s military coup thwarted the scheduled 1952
election. Soon after Batista’s coup, the 1940 constitution was suspended,
setting the stage for the emergence of Castro.
Today, Cuba does not operate under even the most liberal definition
of the rule of law. Some may describe it as a rule by law in that there is a
plethora of laws in Cuba;15 however, Cuba is not a government constrained by law. Rather it uses “law as an obliging instrument of power.”16
In order to understand what this means, it is necessary to review the structure of government and the legal system in Cuba.
The government is structured under the “unity of power” principle.17
Under this theory all legislative and executive powers of a state are
assigned or delegated to one representative democratic body. “This representative political organ is the supreme organ of state power and the
only one able to create law and control the activities of all other state
organs.”18 Under the concept of unity of power, a pyramidal structure is
created whereby “actual decision-making is concentrated in a few hands
while, in theory, all power, …is ultimately traced back to the election of
the municipal assemblies.”19 The Cuban Constitution achieves this result
and ultimately places all legislative and executive power in the hands of
Castro.
For the last 43 years, Cuba has been ruled by one man, Castro,
through one party, the Cuban Communist Party (Partido Comunista
Cubano — PCC). The PCC, with Castro at its head, is the driving force
of the Cuban state.20 It “organizes and guides all common efforts towards
the creation of socialism and the advancement of communist society.”21
Citizens may not exercise their rights in opposition to the constitution or
laws of Cuba nor against the so-called decision of the Cuban people to
establish socialism.22
In every election since 1976, when the Castro regime began institutionalizing the Revolution and promulgated the communist Cuban
Constitution, Fidel Castro and his brother Raul have been unanimously
elected by the National Assembly as President and First Vice President,
respectively, of the Council of State. The National Assembly, itself the
4

purported repository of the people’s power, is elected from preapproved
slates of candidates compiled by the PCC. It meets for only a few days
each year and only to rubber-stamp the decisions emanating from the
Politburo of the PCC. While the National Assembly is out of session, the
Council of State and the Council of Ministers have virtually unfettered
authority to legislate any matter in any form they choose, usually under
the guidance and control of the Politburo and the PCC.
The entire legal system is based on the concept of socialist legality,
which defines the legal system as a political instrument to be used to promote socialist values and goals. Laws are interpreted and applied in whatever manner is required to achieve the socialist goals as defined by the
PCC. All other interests are subordinated to these goals, and when interpreting and applying laws under the concept of socialist legality, the ends
justify the means. The concept of socialist legality provides great flexibility to prosecutors, judges, and other state actors in applying and
interpreting the law.23 This flexibility, based as it is on changing expressions of socialist sensibility, conflicts with the rule of law in that
predictability in the application or interpretation of laws is consistently
sacrificed in favor of reaching the “right result.”
The judiciary is subservient to the political branches of government.24
Independent courts do not exist to adjudicate issues of law and fact or to
challenge government acts or the use of government power in any way.25
Judges in Cuba do not have the power of judicial review. Instead, it is the
National Assembly that has the right to determine the constitutionality of
all laws.26 Courts do not enforce existing laws uniformly. In fact, laws
often are not enforced at all, particularly as they relate to what few individual rights are available to Cubans,27 and when laws are enforced, they
are often enforced retroactively. Laws, regulations, or administrative
rules are not well publicized, and many are unaware of their application
until they run afoul of them, as often occurs with foreign companies
attempting to do business in Cuba. In addition, laws are changed frequently and without much notice.
Prosecutors are required to have “an extreme revolutionary sensibility” and apply and enforce laws to achieve revolutionary goals.28 The
criminal justice system is non-adversarial, with both prosecutors and
defense attorneys seeking “the truth.” Though a legal system need not
necessarily be adversarial, the combination of a non-adversarial system
5

with the political structure of Cuba and its professed goal of advancing
socialism is not conducive to the protection of individual liberties and the
control of state power.
The state-controlled economy in Cuba, heavily reliant on the Soviet
Union and never independently strong, disintegrated along with the
Soviet Union. Since 1990, Cuba has been in a government designated
“Special Period” during which Cubans have been asked to make numerous personal sacrifices and accept great financial hardship for the sake of
preserving the communist nation. The Special Period is entering its thirteenth year with no apparent end in sight.29 Despite Castro’s efforts to
open up the island to foreign investment in 1992, Cuba’s 1998 gross
domestic product (GDP) was still 21 percent below the 1989 GDP.30
Against this political, legal, social, and economic backdrop, it is no
wonder that many Cubans are coming to regard laws as mere nuisances
at best or, at worst, as obstacles in their efforts to live day to day.
Antisocial and criminal behavior is increasing as more and more Cubans
steal or pilfer from state enterprises, deal in the black market, or turn to
prostitution or other means to survive. The circumstances in Cuba today
conspire to erode whatever respect might exist for the legitimacy of laws
in general as a means of ordering society.
The lack of any democratic institutions or respect for law and state
authority in general will make the transition to democracy and the creation of a law-based state in Cuba a long and arduous process. It will
entail not only the creation of new democratic institutions and a completely new legal framework, but also, and perhaps most difficult, the
creation of a civil society with respect for laws and institutions — a rule
of law culture.31

Establishing the Rule of Law in Cuba
The entire machinery of the Cuban state today is structured to allow
the arbitrary will of Castro and the PCC to be effected without obstacles.32
No procedures exist to check government power or guarantee accountability to citizens, as evidenced in the process through which the Castro
government recently quashed the Varela Project.33 To paraphrase James
Madison, Cuba’s government has had considerable success in controlling
the governed; it has failed abjectly to control itself. In short, there is no
6

rule of law.
After a transition begins, Cuba will be required to build the rule of
law from the ground up. The process should begin with an attempt to
build the base of Torke’s pyramid — the creation of a rule of law culture.
This will require that citizens begin to participate in the political life of
the nation and create, through and by their consent, a new government.
Creating a government founded on the consent of the people is the only
way to begin to establish a rule of law culture. The first step, therefore,
should be the creation of a legitimate government accountable to its citizens in the form of a constitutional democracy. That government must, in
turn, begin building new institutions that will support democracy and a
rule of law in Cuba. Building democratic institutions, particularly where
none have existed, will take years, but the importance of creating those
institutions cannot be underestimated. Without them, no structure will be
given to government, and reforms will stall or fail.34 At the same time, the
process of creating a new framework of laws that will protect human
rights, individual rights, and property rights must begin.

The Belief in the Rule of Law: “The Rule of Law Culture”
In order for a law-based society to flourish, citizens must believe in
the rule of law. They must develop a legal culture wherein individuals
comply with the law, even when it is not in their short-term interests to do
so, in exchange for establishing a predictable legal order to govern the
relationship of the state and its citizens as well as individual rights and
property rights. This component of the rule of law is the most difficult to
achieve, yet, in the end, it is the most important one. If such a culture fails
to develop, laws will more often than not be observed in the breach, and
the ability of the state to establish a functioning legal order will fail, to the
detriment of all.
Communism in the post-totalitarian era does not promote or lend
itself to a respect for law or a voluntary desire to adhere to law.35 Instead,
the torpid system calls for regular ritualistic public acknowledgment or
approval of the government by citizens who privately disdain it or are
apathetic to it.36 How, then, does the post-totalitarian society begin to create a rule of law culture? It would appear that an important first step is to
change attitudes regarding law and the state and to involve citizens, as
7

much as possible, in the political life of the state. One way to do this is
by starting from the premise that a new government in Cuba must be
established with the consent of citizens and that this new government
must be accountable to its citizens.
If a rule of law culture presupposes democratic accountability and
requires the consent of the governed to any government created, then how
may that consent be manifested? The clearest way to manifest consent to
a new government is through popular adoption of a constitution. The
process of promulgating post-communist constitutions has differed in
transition countries, but all of the countries of Eastern and Central Europe
and Russia have taken this important step in their efforts to create democratic law-based states.

The Czech Republic
In the Czech Republic, popular elections preceded the promulgation
of a new constitution. Popular elections were held in June 1992, after
which the parliament created a commission for the preparation of a new
constitution. This commission included representatives of all political
parties, in proportion to the number of persons registered in their respective parties, and it was presided over by the President of the Parliament.37
A draft constitution, based on the 1920 Czech Constitution, was presented to the commission and was debated and approved by the commission
within six months.38 The Parliament voted to adopt the constitution by an
overwhelming majority.39

Bulgaria
After the Bulgarian Communist Party Secretary and Head of State
was ousted in an intra-party coup in 1989, roundtable discussions began
between the Bulgarian Communist Party (later renamed the Bulgarian
Socialist Party) and the Union of Democratic Forces (UDF), a coalition
of trade unions, informal political organizations, religious organizations,
and environmentalists. Competitive elections were held in June 1990, and
a Grand National Assembly was elected. This Assembly promulgated a
new democratic Constitution in July 1991.40

8

Hungary
Hungary followed a different route. The promulgation of a constitution preceded free, competitive popular elections. The Hungarian constitution resulted from a series of meetings between representatives of
Parliament, all members of the Hungarian communist party (Hungarian
Socialist Worker’s Party) and the Opposition Roundtable, composed of
representatives of opposition parties, with the purpose of amending the
1949 communist constitution.41 Approximately 80 percent of the constitution was amended, and the amended version was approved in
September 1989. Competitive elections were first held in March 1990.42
The constitutional reform process has been subject to some criticism
based on its non-republican nature. The members of Parliament who participated in the drafting of the constitution had been elected while
Hungary was still a one-party system and, therefore, had not been elected democratically in competitive elections. The Opposition Roundtable
consisted of anti-communist organizations that had arisen over the years
and, due to the system in place in Hungary prior to the 1990 elections, had
never been formally selected to represent the opposition.43 Nonetheless, a
workable constitution emerged, and Hungary has held competitive elections since 1990, enjoying considerable success in its transition.

Poland
Poland represents a somewhat hybrid situation with regard to the
promulgation of a new constitution. In the 1980s, as a result of the emergence of the Solidarity Party, economic and political reforms were introduced. Solidarity was recognized as a legitimate political party, and twoparty elections began to be held. In 1989, a constitutional commission
was created to draft a new constitution. At that time, the Polish Parliament
(Seym) officially set aside two-thirds of its seats for the communist party,
and, as a result, the process stalled.44 In 1992, the first fully democratic
election was held, and soon afterward an interim constitution, known as
the “Small Constitution” was passed. It was not until 1997 that a final,
permanent constitution was promulgated.45
Although the path taken by the various transition countries to a new
constitution has differed, in the end, acceptable results have been reached.
More democratic forms of government have been created that continue to
9

function today with the apparent consent of a majority of citizens in each
country, despite the problems faced by transition countries in the process.

The Case of Cuba
Cubans should establish a process for the adoption of a constitution
that reflects the values of their society and sets the parameters for the
state. Procedures should be established for the creation of some kind of
constitutional assembly in which representatives would debate and draft
a proposed constitution. The constitutional assembly should include
either an equal or proportionate number of representatives from all sectors of Cuban society, including dissident groups, exiles,46 and members
of the PCC47 or any other non-governmental organizations that exist in
Cuba at the time. The draft constitution would then be adopted by popular vote or by a majority of delegates or representatives to the constitutional assembly. Depending on the procedures established, competitive
elections could follow or precede the promulgation of a new constitution.
At the request of delegates, international organizations such as the
United Nations (UN), the Organization of American States (OAS), and
others may play a role in providing technical drafting assistance, research
or other support, and the supervision of elections or the referendum.
However, it is vital that the process be directed by Cubans and for
Cubans. It is unlikely that anything that is imposed by “outsiders” will
succeed in the long run because it will fail to address adequately issues
that are unique to Cubans and their culture.48
The process of creating the rule of law does not end, however, with
the promulgation of a new constitution. A new constitution will create the
new framework for government and lay the groundwork for the creation
of democratic institutions that further support the rule of law.

Institutions Supporting the Rule of Law: Law’s Institutional
Constraints
A true rule of law must be legitimized by a system of democratic
accountability and procedural fairness (due process).49 Without accountability, there is no rule of law. The system created to legitimize the use of
state power should include institutions that will permit accountability and
10

protect the expectations created by the rule of law. These institutions,
which Torke calls “institutional constraints” on the rule of law, must be
developed.
Some scholars do not view these institutions as components of the
rule of law but rather as devices that serve to implement the rule of law.50
Irrespective of whether they form part of the rule of law or simply serve
to support it, they are necessary components in the creation of a lawbased state. Accordingly, the following institutions should be created as
part of the process of establishing a rule of law in Cuba.51

An Electoral Process
The rule of law requires a democratic electoral process through which
free, fair, and competitive elections are regularly scheduled and held.
Cuba has not held free elections since 1948. Cuba must create an electoral
process and make provisions for the orderly transfer of power. The
process should take into account at least a two-party, if not a multi-party,
system, and a model tailored to accommodate competitive elections under
the chosen system must be developed. Electoral models include the plurality system, the cumulative voting system, the double ballot majority
system, and the alternative vote system.52
The plurality system is used in the United States, the United
Kingdom, Canada, and other countries of the former British
Commonwealth. It can be used in two-party and multi-party systems.
Legislative seats go to the candidate with the highest number of votes. In
a multi-party system, the candidate can win a seat with a mere plurality
of the votes.53 The cumulative voting system, used in Luxembourg, is a
modification of the plurality system that allows the voter as many votes
as there are seats but permits the voter to distribute his votes as he or she
deems fit.54
The double-ballot majority system is used in France and provides for
a run-off election (a second ballot) if no one candidate obtains a majority. The second ballot is limited to candidates who ran on the first ballot
and obtained 12.5 percent of the vote. The alternative vote system is a
variation on the second-ballot system. Voters cast their votes on the first
ballot and indicate their first and second choices on the ballot. If no candidate wins a majority of the vote, the candidate with the least number of
11

votes has his votes redistributed to the voters’ second choices.55
In addition, the models should be appropriate for whatever system of
representation is created. For example, if a unicameral legislature is created in the context of a multi-party system, some type of proportional representation could be used to ensure as much as possible the representation
of all political parties, including minority parties. If a bicameral legislature is created, the type of representation in each chamber may differ.
Once a satisfactory electoral system has been established, an elected
legislature must be given the power to guide the country and legislate in
accordance with the specific norms. Those legislators will be subject to
removal when voters perceive that they are not responding to the will of
the citizenry or faithfully performing their duties. In this way, elected
officials are motivated to act in the interests of their constituents or risk
losing their positions of power.

Separation of Powers and Judicial Review
While democratic accountability is essential to the rule of law, adopting the concepts of separation of powers and judicial review will help
control the abuse of power.56 By separating the branches of government
and providing them with distinct powers vis-à-vis each other, “ambition
… [can be] made to counteract ambition,”57 and government can check
and control itself.
Almost all the countries of Central and Eastern Europe adopted some
form of separation of powers and judicial review when promulgating
their new constitutions. Those concepts have proven to be effective in
preventing abuses of power.58
Cuba currently rejects both separation of powers and judicial review
and concentrates virtually all power in the Council of State and the
Council of Ministers. The concepts of judicial review and separation of
powers should be introduced into a new Cuban constitution. Separate
branches of government should be formed consistent with the dictates of
the new constitution, and a constitutional court should be given the power
of judicial review. The introduction of these two concepts into a new
Cuban Constitution will create institutional constraints on power and will
operate to control the abuse or misuse of power.
Even if these concepts are adopted, it may be difficult to implement
12

them for several reasons. Cuban society, both before and after Castro, is
accustomed to power being exercised by a strong president or head of
state. This historical preference for a strong head of state may create
resistance to the concept of diffusion of powers. Moreover, due to the
manner in which courts have been used by the Castro regime to further its
socialist political goals, there may be resistance to the adoption of judicial review, which provides courts with broader institutional power.
Nonetheless, these concepts must be introduced and fostered because
they are important elements of democratic government. If appropriate and
effective institutions are created, public confidence in government will
grow, as will the tendency to trust legislative and judicial exercises of
power.

Independent Courts
The rule of law requires that laws be uniformly and fairly applied and
interpreted and, when inconsistent with the constitution, struck down.
This is the province of the judiciary. The judiciary plays a vital role in
establishing the rule of law because in this venue laws will be applied to
specific persons, and the consequences of failure to comply with a given
law will be determined. The courts will determine whether government
acts are valid and will resolve private disputes between parties. The
courts may also hear appeals from administrative tribunals established to
address grievances or complaints brought by those affected by decisions
of government agencies or regulatory bodies. In order to fulfill this role,
an independent judiciary staffed with competent, impartial judges must
be established and permitted to operate within a broad institutional
sphere.
Citizens should have broad access to the judicial system and be given
the ability to resort to the courts to resolve legitimate disputes. Court
costs should not be excessive, and litigants should be provided with some
resources to prosecute their cases, including access to free legal representation if necessary.
The Cuban judiciary has a long way to go before it can begin to operate effectively as an independent judiciary and support a law-based state
in Cuba. The institutional powers of the courts must be expanded, and
many changes in structure and administration must be effected.59 The
13

creation of an independent judiciary must be a goal of the Cuban state if
a true rule of law is to be established.

Law Enforcement
Law enforcement institutions also support the rule of law in that their
role is to fulfill the duties imposed on them by law and protect persons
against illegal acts while protecting human dignity and upholding human
rights.60 The visible role of law enforcement in any society requires that
officers take the strictest care to avoid misuse or abuse of power.
Reform of law enforcement agencies and the retraining of law
enforcement officers is necessary as part of a transition. Law enforcement
in Cuba, like all other aspects of the legal system, seeks to enforce socialist goals. Law enforcement is often used as a means of repression of the
people, and members of the police or other state enforcement agencies are
mistrusted. To the extent that law enforcement can be seen as pursuing
legitimate goals and that members of state law enforcement agencies are
themselves subject to the laws, the rule of law is supported.

An Independent Legal Profession
An independent legal profession should be created and legal education provided with the view to producing lawyers trained not just in the
law, but also in the method of determining whether power is being exercised lawfully. Lawyers should be trained to advocate causes before the
courts or other tribunals established by law and should be permitted to
press those cases without interference from the government.
The legal profession in Cuba today consists mainly of lawyers who
practice in state controlled law firms (bufetes), prosecutors (fiscales), and
appointed judges who operate strictly within the parameters established
by the government. Lawyers are not trained to contest the use of power
by the state and do not operate independently as advocates. Their roles are
to advance the goals of socialism as expressed in the socialist laws enacted by the government. Laws are applied and interpreted in whatever manner is required to ensure that socialist goals are achieved. Because the
goals of socialism by definition conflict with the rights of individuals,
legal professionals are not able to challenge the use of government power
14

and advocate on behalf of individuals.
The role of lawyers must change along with the role of the legal system. Lawyers should no longer be considered mere tools in the creation
of a socialist state. They must be educated and trained in the values of the
new system and understand their role in defending individual, human,
and property rights. Lawyers will also assist in the resolution of disputes
under the many new laws likely to be promulgated, particularly in the
commercial area. This will require restructuring of law schools and their
curricula in order to train new lawyers and retrain existing lawyers. It will
also require the creation of professional lawyer or legal associations to
support those training efforts or the restructuring of the two existing legal
professional associations in Cuba, the National Union of Cuban Jurists
(Unión Nacional de Juristas Cubanos) and the National Organization of
Lawyers’ Collectives (Organización Nacional de Bufetes Colectivos).

A Free Press
The existence of a free press is also important to the creation of the
rule of law for several reasons. First, the press — comprising all journalistic media, including television, print, radio, and wire services — can
assist in the education of citizens by disseminating information regarding
the values promoted by the rule of law, the promises made by the rule of
law, and its obligations. The press is also in a position to publish and disseminate information regarding the laws themselves to a wide sector of
society, thus increasing popular understanding of the content of laws and
of citizens’ rights under the law.
The press also promotes accountability of public officials. A press
that is willing and able to investigate and report government abuses of
power can make a difference, not only in public opinion, but also in the
behavior of government officials. Politicians and other elected or appointed officials will be unable to act in their own self-interest with impunity
if the probability exists that their actions will be discovered and reported
and that negative consequences such as recall, impeachment, or loss of
power at the next election will follow.
Numerous independent journalists live and work in Cuba today,
despite the fact that they are not permitted to operate or report freely on
relevant issues. No doubt many would enter the field if opportunities
15

existed to do so without being subjected to government censure or
reprisal for reporting on political events. After a transition, journalists
should be freed to report on all issues without government interference.
Media outlets should be removed from the control of the state and programs to modernize communication should be implemented. The programs should address ways to provide journalists with the tools of the
trade, including fax machines, access to wire services and international
news, access to information regarding proposed changes or reforms prior
to their taking effect, and even computers with internet access.

Education
The Castro government has used education as a linchpin in its plan to
create a socialist state, inculcating not only socialist values, but also the
“cult of Fidel” in children as soon as they reach school age. The existing
educational system will have to be undone and replaced with a more traditional one. Instead of teaching the virtues of the Revolution, children
should be taught general civic values. The focus should be on teaching
the attributes of good citizenship in a democratic state, which requires
active participation by the citizenry and respect for others’ rights. The
value of law as a means of protecting individual and human rights and
controlling abuses of government should be taught from the elementary
level through high school. Students should be educated about their rights
as citizens and understand the importance of respecting the rights of others. The school curricula should contain an age-appropriate course of
study promoting a general understanding of the legal system and the benefits inherent in the system. This will require new textbooks, special
teaching materials for use in classrooms, teacher training programs, and
other structural and substantive reforms.61
Universities and law schools should emphasize the importance of the
rule of law and create an understanding of the institutional role of law in
protecting individual rights and developing a market economy.62 Law students should also understand their unique role in fostering the rule of law
and be trained to advocate causes on behalf of individuals in the courts or
before appropriate tribunals.
Finally, citizens should be made aware of their rights through public
awareness campaigns. Flyers, pamphlets, radio programs, television seg16

ments, and other public service announcements should be prepared and
used to provide information on reforms and the new rights and obligations created by the changes in the system. Government offices or nongovernment organizations can provide information regarding reforms,
business, training, employment, or other opportunities and related laws or
regulations to citizens upon request.
In Hungary, a “Street Law Program” initiated by the Foundation for
Clinical Legal Education has created a handbook in an effort to raise public awareness of citizens’ rights and to encourage and foster respect for
laws within the framework of a democratic society. Different versions of
the handbook may be created depending on the expected use, with one
version used for high school students, another for university students, and
yet another for lay persons and non-students.63
The task of changing a society’s values through education is a difficult one, yet no alternative exists if the goal is the creation of a democratic, law-based state. The use of education as a vehicle for change
should be explored and utilized in conjunction with other institutions in
any effort to develop a rule of law.

Creating a Legal Framework: Law’s “Formal Constraints”
As previously noted, an important initial step during a transition is
the promulgation of a new constitution. The constitution may be drafted
by a constitutional assembly, by a constitutional assembly in conjunction
with the legislature, or through some other process. In any event, while
the exact form and contents of the constitution ultimately promulgated
can be debated, at a minimum, it should create the framework for the new
democratic government, establishing and defining the parameters of the
state’s legislative, executive, and judicial powers.
A legislative body should be constituted as soon as possible. Without
a legislative body that can begin creating the country’s new legal framework, the reform process cannot truly begin. In view of creating a legislative body, free and competitive elections should be held as early as
practicable. Once elected, the legislature should begin building the new
legal framework for the country, the top of Torke’s pyramid. The legislature should have the authority to repeal existing laws and pass the many
new laws necessary to foster economic growth and protect the rights of
17

citizens. As part of this process, the legislature should consider creating
procedures to review existing laws to determine which require immediate
repeal or reform and to decide which areas of legislation require immediate attention.64 Among the laws requiring immediate repeal are numerous
criminal laws that violate individual or human rights, such as the law
against “dangerousness,” laws labeling those who speak against Castro or
the government as “counterrevolutionaries” subject to criminal prosecution, and laws limiting free speech or the freedom to assemble. Among
the areas of immediate concern for reform or the passage of new laws are
laws governing entry into or exit from the market, including laws permitting ownership of private property; establishing contract rights; governing the creation of business entities such as corporations, partnerships,
and limited liability companies; and banking and finance laws. Each area
of reform will require extensive study and debate as well as numerous
attempts at drafting.
The process of creating a legal framework in Cuba will be as lengthy
and complicated as it is for any country embarking on the task. Because
all reforms cannot be undertaken at once, the process is often incremental. Usually, however, a big push should be made in the initial stages in
an effort to create a basis for immediate economic and political reform
and the creation of new institutions to support the reforms. This was done
in a number of countries in Central and Eastern Europe after the collapse
of the Soviet Union.
In Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Bulgaria new constitutions were
promulgated almost immediately. Those constitutions established the
powers of government and divided powers among the executive, judicial,
and legislative branches. They contained provisions allowing for private
ownership of property and the right to contract, paving the way for the
creation of a free market. Commercial and corporate laws were drafted
permitting the creation of corporations and other legally recognized legal
entities capable of doing business within the legal framework.
In Russia, a new government was formed, and eventually a constitution was promulgated in 1993. Although some reforms have been made
throughout the past ten years or so, it was not until July 2002 that a new
Criminal Procedural Code was adopted. The new code incorporates many
criminal justice concepts used in Western Europe and the United States,
including the presumption of innocence, independence of judges, and the
18

right of defense attorneys to challenge the admissibility of evidence,
including evidence obtained without a proper warrant.65 The American
Bar Association’s Central and East European Law Initiative (CEELI) supported this effort by providing drafting assistance and organizing a visit
to the United States by a Russian working group to observe some of the
new concepts adopted in practice in the Maryland courts.66 In addition to
the reform of the criminal code, numerous other reforms have been initiated including a clinical education program initiated by CEELI. The program seeks to provide standards and networks for creating those programs and to facilitate their creation.
In Bulgaria, legal reform has been an ongoing process since 1990 and
has entailed the creation of new civil and criminal codes, procedural
codes, new banking and commercial laws, and continuous amendments to
those to reflect political, social, or economic changes in the country.67
The process is ongoing. In April of 2002, a draft law for amending the
Judicial System Act, which governs the organization and administration
of the judiciary, was introduced in Parliament by the Council of
Ministers. The amendments are being considered, but the debate on the
law is expected to be vigorous as the prosecutor’s office opposes many of
the changes.68 The Bulgarian Parliament is also considering implementing
laws against money laundering and financial crimes, reforming aspects of
the legal profession, and creating more alternative dispute resolution
mechanisms.69
While a legal framework is necessary to create a law-based state, in
order for laws to conform to the rule of law, they must meet certain standards regarding the manner in which those laws are promulgated, implemented, interpreted, applied, and challenged. Those standards must be
adopted and incorporated into the processes established for making,
applying, and interpreting laws prior to any attempts to enact new legislation. The principles that govern the manner in which laws must be made
and implemented in order to conform to the rule of law include the following:70
1) Laws must be duly authorized by a legitimate body and must
conform to an established criteria of validity. A constituent body
must pass laws in accordance with procedures adopted for that
purpose. Those procedures may be found in the constitution or
other principal laws.
19

2) Laws must be uniformly applicable to all citizens. Similarly
situated persons should be treated equally. In addition, specific
classes of persons may not be exempted from or made specifically subject to a law.
3) Laws must be clear in meaning and interpreted in accordance
with known and uniform standards or a process of specific legal
reasoning.
4) Laws should be for the most part prospective and should be
promulgated in writing and widely disseminated and accessible
in advance of their effective date in order to allow persons subject to laws to have time to conform their behavior to them. In
addition, the consequences of a failure to comply with laws
should be known in advance.
5) Persons subject to the law should be capable of complying
with its dictates.
6) Laws must be interpreted and applied by independent tribunals. These tribunals should have the authority to resolve
issues relating to the use of state power or any other dispute arising under the law. These tribunals should also have the power to
determine the validity of the law in dispute, resolve factual issues
according to law, and apply the law to the case. The mechanisms
provided may include the ability to challenge not only government’s actions on a broad level in independent courts, but also the
decisions or rulings of government officials at an administrative
level through appropriate grievance or review procedures.
7) Finally, all those subject to the laws of the state should have
access to courts and to representation by lawyers trained and prepared to advocate cases on behalf of persons subject to those
laws. In criminal matters at least, persons unable to retain their
own lawyer should be provided with representation by the state.71
Procedural fairness should also be safeguarded throughout the
process. Laws should be debated prior to their enactment, and citizens
should have a right to make their views known to their elected representatives. After laws are passed and made effective, due process should be
observed. Persons subject to sanction for violations of law should receive
adequate notices of any violation and a chance to be heard in an appropriate tribunal. Certain studies have suggested that where individuals in
20

the system receive due process, are treated with respect, and perceive that
like situations are treated similarly, voluntary compliance with the law is
more likely. If a decision is viewed as procedurally just, it is more likely
to be viewed as legitimate.72
Accordingly, procedural methods must be established to ensure: 1)
that laws are properly passed and uniformly implemented and enforced,
and 2) that citizens or others subject to the law are provided with mechanisms to challenge the application of the law to them and are treated with
respect in any such proceeding.
In creating the legal framework of a democratic Cuba, the legislature
must establish a process for passing laws that meets the standards necessary to create a rule of law and, in passing any new laws, the legislature
must meet those parameters. In order to meet these standards, many
reforms will be required, and mechanisms to support this legislative
process must be adopted. For example, a legislative record should be kept
that documents all proposed legislation and any debate relating to proposed laws. Once passed, laws should be published and widely disseminated. The legislature should avoid frequent changes or revisions to laws
to allow persons subject to them time to conform their conduct to laws.
Sanctions for failure to comply with the law should be delineated in the
law itself or easily determined by reference to another law.
One caveat should be mentioned in connection with the process of
creating a new legal framework in Cuba. Laws must be tailored to the
reality of a country and must attempt to create standards of behavior that
are consistent with the political, economic, and moral values of a society,
as well as its traditions and cultural norms.73 Laws that fail to accommodate these factors can be rejected and widely disregarded or fail to operate as intended. In this regard, it is important to understand that the
wholesale transplantation of another society’s laws will probably fail to
bring about the desired results, even if those laws are otherwise fair,
sound, and workable. Instead, legal ideas and specific laws, if transplanted to another society, should be modified to address indigenous social and
political conditions and institutions to better effect their purposes.74 That
is not to say that legal concepts and laws cannot be successfully transplanted, merely that some effort should be made to adapt them to a specific country’s needs, if necessary.75

21

The Role of Leadership in the Creation of a Law-Based State
Political leaders play an important role in creating a rule of law. The
prominence of the political class makes it the best example for citizens
seeking a model of behavior in a law-based state. It is they who must first
show their willingness to submit themselves to the law in order to begin
creating a rule of law culture. Political leaders who do not seek to adapt
the law to their political needs or the needs of their party are necessary to
create a rule of law culture. Elected and appointed officials who resist
using or ignoring the law to favor party elites or obtain personal benefits
will begin to create the proper atmosphere for democracy and the rule of
law. Elected officials must voluntarily transfer power to other newly
elected officials in accordance with the dictates of law. This behavior on
the part of the political class raises the expectations of citizens and creates the situation where lawful behavior is not only expected, but also
demanded.
At some level, the rule of law is an ideal that may not be capable of
being fully realized. If, however, the majority of citizens consent to a
given form of government, accept a democratic rule of law, and conform
their behavior to the norms set forth in the laws, then a culture capable of
supporting the rule of law will begin to develop. Further strengthening of
the rule of law culture will occur over time as citizens begin to see that
the government is in fact accountable to them, that their political leaders
respect the law and do not hold themselves above it, that the institutions
they create operate to protect their individual rights and the rights of others in society, that there are processes and mechanisms for checking state
power, and that they are generally benefited by conforming to laws.

22

Conclusion
Creating the rule of law is viewed conceptually by many as the
attempt to create “a government of laws, and not of men.”76 While the
creation of a perfect balance of power between government and citizens
is a utopian ideal, a nation may yet create, by means of democratic constitutionalism and the rule of law, a “sensible accommodation of liberty
and power.”77 This should be the goal of the Cuban government once
transition begins. With this goal in mind, and with the understanding that
there is no formula for establishing the rule of law, Cubans may begin the
process of creating a law-based state.
The construction of a law-based state will require not merely the passage of laws constituting a legal framework for the country, but also the
creation of institutions to support the rule of law and, most importantly,
the creation of a constitutional culture. Creating the belief in the rule of
law and encouraging widespread adherence to the principle that no one is
above the law will undoubtedly be the most difficult challenge. It is
nonetheless a challenge that must be accepted.
Establishing the rule of law is arguably one of the most important
and difficult elements of transition. The task of transforming Cuba
from a lawless society to a law-based one will require changes not only
in the legal order but also the political, social, and cultural order. Success
is not ensured. Reforms likely will be pursued against the opposition of
an entrenched bureaucracy and extensive cronyism. Ultimately, the
success of democratic reforms will require broad support by all segments
of society.
In sum, the rule of law is not about passing laws per se. It is a broader concept, requiring the creation of a constitutional democracy where citizens, who have consented to be governed and both participate and
believe in their government, nonetheless may hold their government
accountable.

23

END NOTES
Philosophers and legal and political scholars have studied the concept of the rule of
law extensively since the time of Aristotle. Consequently, the study of the rule of law
has spawned a vast amount of literature and academic discussion throughout the
years. This paper does not purport to provide a comprehensive study of the ideal of
the rule of law and its evolution in different legal systems. For purposes of this paper,
an overview of the concept of the rule of law is sufficient. For a fuller discussion of
the ideals embodied in the concept of the rule of law, see H.L.A. Hart, The Concept
of Law, (Oxford Clarendon 1961); Lon L. Fuller, The Morality of Law (1969);
Ronald Dworkin, Law’s Empire (1986); Michel Rosenfeld, The Rule of Law and the
Legitimacy of Constitutional Democracy, 74 S. Cal. L. Rev. 1307 (2001).
1

James Madison, The Federalist No. 51, The Federalist Papers (Bantam
Classic Ed. 1982).
2

Lawrence B. Solum, Equity and the Rule of Law, in The Rule of Law, 120, 122 (Ian
Shapiro ed. 1994).
3

James W. Torke, What is This Thing Called the Rule of Law?, 34 Ind. L. Rev. 1445,
1447 (2001).

4

5

Id.

6

Id.

Rosenfeld, supra note 1, at 1313. See also, Robert S. Summers, Propter Honoris
Respectum: The Principles of the Rule of Law, 74 Notre Dame L. Rev. 1691 (1999)
(The rule of law requires, at a minimum, “that law be rule-like so far as appropriate,
that it be clear, that it be public, and that it generally be prospective.)

7

See, Rosenfeld, supra note 1, at 1312 ([L]egitimation based on consent, appears to
be the optimal, if not the exclusive means of normative justification for both constitutional democracy and the rule of law…” in pluralistic societies.); Dusan Hendrych,
Constitutionalism in the Czech Republic, in The Rule of Law in Central Europe, 13,
15 (Jirí Pribán and James Young eds. 1999).

8

9

Torke, supra note 3, at 1447-48.

10

Id.

11

Id.

12

Id.

Jean Hampton, Democracy and the Rule of Law, in The Rule of Law, supra note 2,
at 13, 35.
13

14

See generally, Jaime Suchlicki, From Columbus to Castro (5th ed. 2002).
24

15
“[E]ven rule through law amounts to the ‘rule of men’ if the law can be changed
unilaterally and arbitrarily, if it is largely ignored, or if the ruler and his or her associates consistently remain above the law.” Rosenfeld supra note 1, at 1313.
16

Dusan Hendrych, supra note 7, at 26.

Article 66 of the Cuban Constitution of 1976 specifically provided that the state
organs in Cuba be based on principles of “socialist democracy, unity of power and
democratic centralism.” The 1992 amendments to the Cuban constitution deleted the
specific reference to unity of power, stating instead that state organs are based on the
“principles of socialist democracy.” Nonetheless, the basic structure of government
remained unaltered. Michael B. Wise, Cuba and Judicial Review, 7 Sw. J. L. & Trade
Am. 247, 261-2 (2000).

17

18

Id. at 259.

Id. The socialist system of government is also referred to as “democratic centralism.” While in theory decision making power was reserved for elected representatives who responded to initiatives of the masses, in actual practice, the representatives act in accordance with the recommendations of the communist party, the leading and guiding force of socialist society. Rett R. Ludwikowski, “Mixed”
Constitutions – Product of an East Central European Constitutional Melting Pot, 16
B.U. Int’l L.J. 1, 8 (1998).
19

20
Fidel Castro is the First Secretary of the PCC and his brother, Raul Castro, is the
Second Secretary.
21

Cuba Const. 1992, Art 5.

22

Cuba Const. 1992, Art. 62.

Jirí Pribán describes socialist legality and communist constitutionalism as a
“rhetorical veil” for arbitrariness that permits the state to operate “under the mask of
constitutionalism.” Jirí Pribán, Legitimacy and Legality after the Velvet Revolution,
in The Rule of Law in Central Europe, supra note 7, at 30.

23

24

Cuba Const. 1992, Arts 121, 122.

25
In post-totalitarian regimes, it is the courts and prosecutors who assume the role of
“enforcers” and become the “iron fist” of the Communist Party because the exercise
of judicial power can create the illusion of state obedience to law. Jirí Pribán,
Legitimacy and Legality after the Velvet Revolution, in The Rule of Law in Central
Europe, supra note 7, at 33.
26

Cuba Const. 1992, Art 75.

27

Human Rights Watch 2001 Report on Cuba

See interview with the Fiscal General of Camaguey Province in Granma, June 9,
2002, at http://www.granma.cubaweb.cu/2002/06/09/nacional/articulo/11.htm.

28

25

There is a strong campaign being mounted by an unlikely alliance of agricultural
interests, Republican representatives from the farm states, and representatives long
sympathetic to the Castro Regime to lift the travel ban to Cuba and numerous other
trade restrictions affecting U.S. business interests. Even if the campaign is successful, it is unlikely to bring the needed relief to ordinary Cubans on the island. Although
some Cubans, particularly the party elite and those employed in the tourism industry,
will benefit, the most dramatic benefits will inure to the Castro government, which
will receive much needed capital to continue funding its repressive regime.

29

Jorge Perez-Lopez, Waiting for Godot: Cuba’s Stalled Reforms and Continuing
Economic Crisis in Problems of Post Communism, November-December 2001, 4445 cited in Edward Gonzalez, After Castro: Alternative Regimes and U.S. Policy,
(Cuba Transition Project, Institute for Cuban and Cuban American Studies,
University of Miami 2002).

30

The creation of a civil society organized to replace the authoritarian state is an
essential element of long-term democratic stability and of the rule of law. This paper
does not address specifically the creation of a civil society. For a detailed discussion
of issues relating to the creation of a civil society in Cuba after a transition see
Damian Fernandez, The Greatest Challenge: Civic Values in a Post-Transition Cuba,
(paper to be published by the Cuba Transition Project, Institute for Cuban and Cuban
American Studies, University of Miami).

31

Ironically, during Batista’s tenure, Castro vehemently objected to the illegal exercise of constituent power to amend the Cuban Constitution by Batista’s Council of
Ministers. In his “History Will Absolve Me” speech, Castro stated : [Batista’s
Council of Ministers] assume the most essential attribute of sovereignty—the power
to change the basic and supreme law of the land.” Castro called Batista’s efforts to
“impose upon the people a constitution without the people’s consent …[in order to]
install a regime which concentrates all power in its own hands” a “mockery”. Fidel
Castro, “History Will Absolve Me” at http:www.geocities.com/escuelapca/cursoverano2001/t_lahistoriameabsolvera.htm. (Trans. by author.)

32

The Varela Project refers to an attempt by Cuban dissidents to present a petition to
the National Assembly, signed by over 11,000 Cubans, asking the National Assembly
to allow a popular plebiscite on the issue of whether or not the Cuban Constitution
should be amended to permit free, competitive elections. Leaving aside the issue of
whether such an amendment should ever be necessary to a constitution, the response
of the Castro government was extreme. The Castro government mobilized itself and
with the assistance of the PCC, mass organizations, and other Party and state apparati, it presented its own petition to the National Assembly. The petition was purportedly signed voluntarily by 11,000,000 Cubans and asked the National Assembly
to amend the Cuban Constitution to declare socialism and the political system in
Cuba “untouchable.” The language was later changed to “irrevocable.”
33

34
See Grzegorz W. Kolodko, Ten Years of Post-Socialist Transition Lessons for
Policy Reform, 8 (The World Bank, Policy Research Working Paper 2095 1999).

26

Kolodko notes that if institution building is neglected, economic growth will be
affected even if economic fundamentals are for the most part in order.
Post-totalitarianism does not suggest that the communist system has ceased to exist.
It refers to the fact that the totalitarianism of communism changed over time from a
system openly founded on political terror or violence to one founded on the ritualization of public life. P?ibá?, Legitimacy and Legality after the Velvet Revolution, in
The Rule of Law in Central Europe, supra note 7, at 31.
35

This was described by Czech dissident Milan Simecka as a type of social contract
that arose between the ruling communist elite whereby citizens were more or less left
alone in exchange for not becoming involved in political affairs. Jirí Pribán,
Legitimacy and Legality after the Velvet Revolution, in The Rule of Law in Central
Europe, supra note 7, at 32.
36

George E. Glos, The Constitution of the Czech Republic of 1992, 21 Hastings
Const. L. Q. 1049, 1058 (1994).

37

Id. The commission was created in July 1992, and the final version of the constitution was approved on December 16, 1992. Id.
38

Id. Approval required a 3/5 majority. The parliament approved the constitution by
approximately an 8/10 majority.
39

Hristo D. Dimitrov, The Bulgarian Constitutional Court and its Interpretive
Jurisdiction, 37 Columbia J. Tansnat’l L. 459, 462-63 (1999).

40

Ethan Klingsberg, Judicial Review and Hungary’s Transition from Communism to
Democracy, B.Y.U. L. Rev. 41, 50 (1992).

41

Id. at 48-50; Cheryl W. Gray, et al., Evolving Legal Frameworks for Private Sector
Development in Central and Eastern Europe, 66 (The World Bank Discussion Paper
No. 209 1993).

42

43

Klingsberg , supra note 40, at 50-51.

44

Gray et al., supra note 41, at 95.

45

Ludwikowski, supra note 18, at 37.

There are approximately 2 million Cubans in exile throughout the world who have
been stripped of their citizenship merely for choosing to leave the island and flee the
repressive regime. Their involvement in a any process of democratization is not only
fair, it would also be beneficial because of the resources they could provide throughout the transition process.
46

No other parties currently exist, but any other party formed during transition should
participate in the constitutional assembly.

47

An obvious example of this is the United States’ efforts to establish a government
in Cuba based on its own desires or expectations, not those of Cubans, after the
48

27

Spanish-American War.
49

Rosenfeld, supra note 1, at 1314.

50

See, Summers supra note 6, at 1695

Similarly, although not named as elements creating the rule of law, Gonzalez points
out that democracy requires a number of elements including 1) a democratic political class, 2) a political class untainted by venality, 3) the military’s subordination to
civilian rule and 4) the diffusion of democratic values in society. These elements also
support and foster the rule of law. Gonzalez , supra note 29.

51

See, Ludwikowski, supra note 18, at 19-21 for a detailed discussion of the types of
election models available and the various methods of determining the proportional
representation of each party in the legislature.

52

53

Id. at 19-20.

54

Id. at 20.

55

Id.

James Madison, The Federalist No. 51, in The Federalist Papers, 261, 262 (Bantam
Classic Ed. 1982) “A dependence on the people is no doubt the primary control on
the government; but experience has taught mankind the necessity of auxiliary precautions.”
56

57

Id.

See, Laura Patallo Sánchez , The Role of the Judiciary in a Post Castro Cuba:
Recommendations for Change, at 16-18, 22-27 (paper to be published by the Cuba
Transition Project, Institute for Cuban and Cuban-American Studies, University of
Miami).
58

See, Id. for a more detailed discussion of the changes needed to create an independent judiciary in Cuba.

59

United Nations Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials, General Assembly
Resolution 34/169, (1979) at
http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/diana/undocs/71598-9.html.

60

For a detailed discussion of the educational system in Cuba and proposals for
reform see, Graciella Cruz-Taura, Rehabilitating Education in Cuba: Assesment of
Conditions and Policy Recommendations, (paper to be published by the Cuba
Transition Project, Institute for Cuban and Cuban-American Studies , University of
Miami.) For a comparative study of educational reforms in The Czech Republic,
Latvia and Poland and the applicability of those reforms to educational reform in a
post-communist Cuba see, Andy Gomez, The Role of Education in Promoting Cuba’s
Integration into the International Society: Lessons in Transition from the PostCommunist States of Central and Eastern Europe, (paper to be published by the Cuba

61

28

Transition Project, Institute for Cuban and Cuban-American Studies, University of
Miami.)
See, O. Lee Reed, Law, the Rule of Law, and Property: A Foundation for the Private
Market and Business Study, 38 Am. Bus. L. J. 441, (2001)

62

63

See report at www.joglinika.hu/engl/lawclinic/foundation.htm.

One part of a Judicial Reform Program begun in 2000, when the Bulgarian Parliament
proposed a comprehensive review of all existing legislation in order to repeal all “obsolete or controversial legal provisions” and create a “modern and harmonious” legal
framework compatible with European law while at the same time respecting Bulgarian
legal traditions. See Judicial Reform Initiative, Program for Judicial reform in Bulgaria,
(Sofia 2000) at www.csd.bg/news/law/Rrogram_april_E.html. Although not in the
same context, a similar review will take place in Afghanistan where the interim government is expected to determine which laws are currently in existence today in
Afghanistan and review all existing legislation to determine its consistency with the
1964 Afghan Constitution and the Bonn Agreement, which governs the peace/transition process. See American Bar Association, Asia Law Initiative, International
Resources Group, International Foundation for Election System, and International
Human Rights Law Group, Filling the Vacuum: Prerequisites to Security in
Afghanistan, (2002) at www.abanet.org/aba-asia/afghan.pdf.
64

Steven Lee Myers, Russia Glances to the West for it’s New Legal Code, N.Y. Times
on the Web, July 1, 2002 at
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/01/international/europe/01RUSS.html

65

American Bar Association, Central and East European Law Initiative, Russia
Program Information at http:/www.abanet.org/ceeli/home.html.

66

67

Judicial Reform Initiative, Program for Judicial reform in Bulgaria, supra note 53.

American Bar Association, Central and East European Law Initiative, Bulgaria
Update Spring 2002 at www.abanet.org/ceeli/home.html.
68

69

Id.

Summers, supra note 6, at 1693-94. Professor Summers provides what he terms a
“comprehensive inventory” of principles governing how laws must be made and
implemented if they are to conform to the rule of law. His list includes numerous
other elements not mentioned here but which would likely serve to ensure the rule of
law. These principles arguably apply at different times throughout the law making,
implementation, interpretive, and enforcement processes in every area the state seeks
to regulate the conduct of those subject to its jurisdiction.
70

71

Id.

See, Tom Tyler, Why People Obey the Law, (New Haven Conn. Yale University
Press 1990) cited in Robert Eli Rosen, Symposium Introduction: Law, Democracy

72

29

and Society: Complicating Law’s Legitimation Processes, 25 Law and Soc. Inquiry
973, 974-75 (2000).
In fact, Professor Summers includes a similar element in his listing of the principles of the rules of law, that is , “that the behavioral requirements of a law be within
the capacity of its addressees to comply.” Summers, supra note 6, at 1693.

73

Frederick Schauer, The Politics and Incentives of Legal Transplantation, 5
(Working Paper No. 44, Center For International Development, Harvard University
2000). Professor Schauer’s paper “offers a series of testable hypotheses about various factors, other than the factors of inherent value, that may influence the pattern of
legal migration and legal transplantation…” Id at 2.
74

Id. at 4. Professor Schauer notes that there is certainly evidence that “the fact of
legal transplantation…may be causally related to various measures of legal or economic effectiveness.”
75

76

Marbury v. Madison, 5 U.S. 137, 163 (1803) (Marshall, C.J.).

77

Joseph J. Ellis, Founding Fathers, 9 (2001).

30

About the Author
Laura Patallo Sánchez is currently a Research Associate
at the Institute for Cuban and Cuban-American Studies,
University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida. A graduate of the
University of Miami School of Law, she previously was in
private practice at Hughes Hubbard & Reed, Miami, Florida,
and most recently with Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP,
Miami, Florida.

31

Institute for Cuban and
Cuban-American Studies - ICCAS
The Institute for Cuban and Cuban-American Studies is unique in that
ICCAS is a leading Center for Cuban Studies emphasizing the dissemination of Cuban history and culture. ICCAS sponsors academic and outreach programs and helps coordinate Cuban-related activities at the
University of Miami including the Casa Bacardi; the Emilio Bacardi
Moreau Chair in Cuban Studies; the Cuba Transition Project; the Cuban
Heritage Collection at Otto G. Richter Library; the John J. Koubek
Memorial Center, and other University components related to Cuban and
Cuban-American Studies.

Programs and Activities
The Institute undertakes a variety of programs and activities, including
sponsoring and hosting public lectures and seminars. The Institute’s
Information Center provides current and historical information on Cuba
and responds to requests from the academic, business, media and government communities. ICCAS publishes research studies and occasional
papers, sponsors original research, and coordinates interdisciplinary
courses at the University of Miami. The Institute also organizes art
exhibits, musical programs, and an annual film festival.

32

Recently Published by the CTP
After Castro: Alternative Regimes and U.S. Policy – Edward Gonzalez
The Cuban Communist Party and Electoral Politics: Adaptation, Succession, and
Transition – William M. LeoGrande
Growing Economic and Social Disparities in Cuba: Impact and Recommendations for
Change – Carmelo Mesa Lago
A Transparency/Accountability Framework for Combating Corruption in Post-Castro
Cuba – Sergio Diaz Briquets and Jorge Perez Lopez
Socio-Economic Reconstruction: Suggestions and Recommendations for Post-Castro
Cuba – Antonio Jorge
The Spanish Transition and the Case of Cuba – Carlos Alberto Montaner
The Role of the Judiciary: Alternative Recommendations for Change – Laura Patallo
Sanchez
International Organizations and Post-Castro Cuba – Ernesto Betancourt
The Cuban Military and Transition Dynamics – Brian Latell
The Role of Education in Promoting Cuba’s Integration into the International Society:
Lessons in Transition from the Post-Communist States of Central and Eastern Europe –
Andy Gomez
The Greatest Challenge: Civic Values in Post-Transition Cuba – Damian J. Fernandez
Privatization Strategies, Market Efficiency, and Economic Development in Post-Castro
Cuba – Antonio Jorge

Forthcoming CTP Publications
Confiscated Properties in a Post-Castro Cuba: Two Views – Matias Travieso,
“Alternative Recommendations for Dealing with Confiscated Properties in Post-Castro
Cuba” and Oscar M. Garibaldi, “The Treatment of Expropriated Property in a PostCastro Cuba” with an introduction by Laura Patallo Sanchez
A Constitution for Cuba’s Political Transition: The Utility of Retaining (and Amending)
the 1992 Constitution – Jorge I. Dominguez
Foreign Direct Investment in Post-Castro Cuba: Problems, Opportunities, and
Recommendations – Robert Cruz
The Role of the Cuban-American Community in the Cuban Transition – Sergio Diaz
Briquets and Jorge Perez Lopez
What Has Gone Wrong with Transitions in Post Communist Eastern Europe: Lessons
for Cuba – Vendulka Kubalkova
Nicaragua: Political Processes and Democratic Transition - Possible Lessons for Cuba
– Alvaro Taboada Teran
Rehabilitating Education in Cuba: Assessment of Conditions and Policy
Recommendations – Graciella Cruz-Taura
Republic of Cuba Telecommunications Fundamental Plan – Manuel Cereijo
Securing the Future: A Blueprint for the Reconstruction of Cuba’s Security Services –
Eugene Rothman
Lessons for Cuba of the Romanian Transition – Michael Radu