Re: Any Debian support for CubaConf
On 28/02/16 13:50, Ben Hutchings wrote:
> On Sat, 2016-02-27 at 09:18 +0100, Daniel Pocock wrote:
>>
>> On 27/02/16 04:05, Gunnar Wolf wrote:
> [...]
>>> FWIW, I'm *not* implying we should refrain from supporting
>>> CubaConf. In fact, I was privately contacted by Valessio, as
>>> I'm among the closest DDs to the island;I denied because the
>>> dates are impossible to me.
>>>
>>> Also worth noting: Back in 2011, I went to PGDay in Cuba,
>>> together with other three people with a PostgreSQL affiliation.
>>> PostgreSQL is a SPI-hosted project as well. SPI was, however,
>>> unable to reimburse our travel due to the US-Cuba embargo.
>>>
>>> I know the relations between said nations is on its way to
>>> renormalization, but AFAICT the embargo is still active, so we
>>> should better check with lawyers if we are to offer
>>> reimbursement to anybody to attend.
>>>
>>
>> Debian does not have an exclusive relationship with SPI, the
>> audit committee wiki page[1] lists several Debian trust
>> organizations in European countries.
>
> The Debian UK Society reimbursed one DD for attending a conference
> in Cuba, in 2006. (Reported here:
> https://lists.debian.org/debian-devel-announce/2006/07/msg00000.html
> )
>
>> The lawyer may also need to advise on issues such as: - can US
>> citizens be involved in discussions about such funding? - can
>> infrastructure in the US be used to discuss such funding (e.g.
>> mailing lists, wiki, or the BTS)
> [...]
>
> That's pretty damn meta.
>
If Debian is handling money, even indirectly, it is just as important
as the "non-US" stuff that used to be done for crypto[1]
If any US-based DD runs foul of the law or if any DD is given special
treatment at a US airport then this is something that could come back
to bite[2]
The Wikipedia article simply states[3] it is "illegal for U.S.
citizens to have transactions in Cuba"
It is not just Cuba. At the time that Iran's sanctions were lifted,
the US quietly brought in regulations that punish Europeans who go to
any conference or holiday in Iran[4]. So if Debian is truly
"universal" and worldwide, we will always have to be conscious of such
things that may impact participants who travel.
1. https://wiki.debian.org/non-US
2. http://latinamericanstudies.org/us-cuba/canadian.htm
3.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_embargo_against_Cuba#Restrictions_on_tourism_by_U.S._citizens_and_residents
4.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/19/us/politics/us-expands-restrictions-on-visa-waiver-program-for-visitors.html?_r=0
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