Cuba assembly continues debate on new constitution

(21 Dec 2018) Cuba's National Assembly met on Friday to debate and approve a final draft of a new constitution for the island nation. The government says the revision will modernise the country's legal system and provide a framework for future progress. The process of drafting a new constitution sparked fierce debates within the government, parliament members and the public. The debates led to revisions in private business laws that some found too restrictive, as well as same-sex marriage provisions, that many private citizens and religious leaders were opposed to. Provisions that would have limited private businesses were eased and language promoting the legalisation of gay marriage was struck from the final draft. The constitution would instead be silent on the issue, leaving open the possibility of a future legalisation without specifically promoting it. Mariela Castro, daughter of former President Raul Castro, an Assembly member and gay rights activist, said the revisions to the final wording in the constitution were a sign of progress, rejecting the notion that gay rights had suffered a set-back. Castro also said the easing of rules governing private businesses were a recognition of public demands for less government interference in the private sector. The Assembly voted in favour of the new revisions and is expected to approve the final draft, which will be submitted to the public in a national referendum early next year. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...