The President of the People's Supreme Court, Rubén Remigio Ferro, introduced
the bill on the Penal Code to lawmakers. Juvenal Balan Photo.
Havana, May 15 (RHC)-- Cuban deputies approved a new Penal Code that updates the classification of crimes and penalties to strengthen Cuba as a socialist state governed by the rule of law.
During the fifth extraordinary session of the National Assembly of People's Power the representatives pointed out that the legal body achieves an adequate balance between respect for the rights and guarantees of individuals and the security of the society and the political system in force.
The Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs pointed out that the new Code has among its most practical novelties the incorporation of sanctions that give a more restricted use to the deprivation of liberty.
According to the document, the norm, which replaces the one in force since 1987, expresses the humanistic character of the Revolution and reinforces the preventive and educational character of the exercise of justice on the island.
When presenting the Code, the president of the People's Supreme Court, Rubén Remigio Ferro, explained that it extends its application to illicit acts in the radio-electric spectrum, humanitarian law, telecommunications, environment, and natural patrimony.
He added that sanctions against subversion and terrorism, economic corruption, discrimination, gender violence, acts against minors or disabled persons, and against those who violate personal privacy and personal data are reinforced.
Ferro specified that the death penalty is kept for 23 grave crimes, but this is not part of the Cuban legal philosophy because it has not been applied since 2003. Also, the government commuted in 2008 those that were pending.
The Code maintains the requirement of criminal responsibility from the age of 16 with provisions for differentiated treatment based on the nature of the crime and with the imposition of penalties that do not involve imprisonment, which guarantees compliance with the requirements of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
