A Cuban pastor is being pressured into signing a document that would give the impression he consented to his church being knocked down.
The demolition of the Assemblies of God church happened during the weekend. In a Facebook post by one of its members, church-goers are seen and heard singing hymns that say "Your faithfulness is great, oh Lord."
Y esto es lo que están haciendo justo ahora. Por qué no está permitido grabar? Para que no se conozca como funciona el estado cubano? Su delincuencia a la vista de todos?
Posted by Adis Galán Leyva on Divendres, 30 d’octubre de 2020
According to Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), pastor Fausto Palomo Cabrera was taken by members of the Department of Physical Planning and other government officials who then tried to pressure him into signing a document that said that all parties had agreed to the demolition of the building, located in Santiago de Cuba.
In the Facebook comments, one of the members claims that the Government gave the church just 24 hours to abandon the building, saying the demolition was necessary in order to build a cement plant.
CSW's CEO Scot Bower said: "We call on the authorities to cease all harassment of Superintendent Martínez, Pastor Palomo Cabrera and members of their church and denomination, and to ensure that they have the right to manifest their religion in public and in community with others - an essential component of this right.
"We further call on the Cuban government to reimburse the church for their loss so that they can rebuild their place of worship."
In February 2016, Cuban authorities demolished another church led by pastor Alain Toledano, who has been campaigning for freedom of belief in the country and who was also seen filming the recent demolition.