Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has called for the liberation of all political prisoners in Cuba, three years on from mass protests in the country.
CSW has also called for human rights reforms, particularly regarding freedom of religion or belief. Among those imprisoned for protesting were Christians, including pastors. Several faith leaders reported receiving formal notifications from Cuban authorities instructing them not to leave their homes from the 11th to 12th of July.
Independent Protestant pastor Lorenzo Rosales Fajardo, and Afro-Cuban Yoruba faith leaders Loreto Hernández Garcia and Donaida Pérez Paseiro, were arrested and jailed for their participation in impromptu demonstrations across Cuba on 11 July 2021.
The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has declared Pastor Rosales Fajardo to be wrongfully imprisoned.
Amnesty International has acknowledged Mr Hernández Garcia and Ms Pérez Paseiro as prisoners of conscience, and the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has listed all three on its "Frank R. Wolf Freedom of Religion or Belief Victims List."
Cuban authorities frequently breach the Nelson Mandela Rules (The United Nations Standard Minimum Rights for the Treatment of Prisoners). CSW reports multiple instances of political detainees being deprived of their right to religious visits, or to retain a Bible in maximum security jails across Cuba.
In numerous cases, family members of these prisoners who have sought to officially request a religious visit for their loved one have faced temporary detention, intimidation, and have been prohibited from attending worship services or entering sacred places.
Mr Hernández Garcia, Ms Pérez Paseiro, and Pastor Rosales Fajardo report being mocked and abused in prison for their Christian faith. They allege they have both been denied medical care for serious health issues.
On 2 July 2024, Roman Catholic community leader Angel Maria Mesa Rodriguez was relocated from Guanajay Maximum Security Prison in Artemisa Province, where he was incarcerated under an unfounded accusation of ‘attack against authority’ following his involvement in the 11th July protests, to Kilo 5 ½ Penitentiary about 130km away in Pinar del Rio Province. His transfer was not disclosed to his family until the day after it had happened.
The move makes it even harder for his wife and family to visit him in prison, as he will be further from home. Accessing his new location is incredibly challenging, due to Cuba’s poor economy and public transport systems.
CSW’s CEO Scot Bower said: “Three years ago, thousands of men and women came out to the streets of cities and towns across Cuba and lifted up their voice in a cry for homeland, life and freedom. Rather than listen to his people, President Miguel Diaz-Canel and the government he leads have responded with harsh repression.
"The result has been a spike in the number of political prisoners, mass emigration on a scale not seen before in Cuba’s history, severe economic hardship, critical shortages of basic necessities including food, and failing utilities across the island. We stand with those who continue to call for a free and democratic Cuba where the human rights of all are upheld, and we urge the international community to do the same.”