The Cuban Certification Movement in Spain, alongside the Association of Cuban Doctors in Spain, has scheduled a demonstration on September 25 in front of the Congress of Deputies in Madrid. The protest, set to take place from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, aims to highlight the extensive delays in the recognition of Cuban university degrees, a process that, according to the Old Royal Decree 967/2014 and the New Royal Decree 889/2022, should be completed within six months but currently faces delays of up to five years, reported La Razón.
Thousands of healthcare professionals and other graduates from Cuban universities, including Spanish citizens, are experiencing this “severe discrimination” for an average of two to three years. The protest also seeks to expose the “arbitrary halt” in the certification process for Cuban degrees over the past year, justified by an “origin review” by the Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities, as noted by the cited news outlet.
Previous Calls for Speedier Certification Process
This demonstration follows recent demands from the Madrid Community's Health Counselor, Fátima Matute, who urged the Spanish Ministries of Education and Health to expedite the certification process for Cuban doctors. During a meeting with representatives of the Association of Cuban Doctors in Spain, the counselor emphasized that medical professionals trained in Cuba have been struggling for years to get their university degrees recognized, facing significant delays, according to a report by the Spanish newspaper ConSalud.
Historical Context of the Issue
This issue is not new. In April, a group of doctors from various countries residing in Spain demonstrated in front of the Congress of Deputies in Madrid, demanding faster recognition of their university degrees. The call for action was led by the "Cuban Certification Movement in Spain," "Fair Certification Now," the "Association of Cuban Doctors in Spain," the "Spanish Federation of Doctors," and several unions and non-governmental organizations, reported Árbol Invertido.