Thursday, October 21, 2021. Today, the thematic hearing "Human rights situation in the context of the protest in Cuba" was held, during which family members, activists, and human rights organizations asked the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) to request a visit from the Cuban government. in loco in order to ascertain the actual condition of people deprived of their liberty.
The session, which was not attended by the Cuban state, took place within the framework of the 181st session and in it some twenty organizations expressed their desire that the IACHR initiate a dialogue process between the Commission, the Cuban Government and the organizations themselves.
In her address to the Commissioners, Sayli Navarro, a promoter of “Cuba Decides” and a member of the Ladies in White, recounted the arrest she and her father, Félix Navarro, 68, president of the Pedro Luis Boitel Party for Democracy, suffered on July 11. He contracted COVID-19 in prison and they have not yet been able to see him. She also mentioned the cases of José Daniel Ferrer, national coordinator of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU); Fernando González, Roilán Zárraga, and José Pupo, members of UNPACU and promoters of Cuba Decides; Keilylli de la Mora; and Rosa Jany Milo Espinosa.
Laritza Diversent, director of Cubalex, reported that since July 11, in collaboration with the 11J Justice Working Group, they have documented the arrests of 1,130 people, of whom 572 remain in custody. Several of these individuals have reported acts of torture and ill-treatment. She highlighted the cases of people in particularly vulnerable situations, such as young people, Afro-descendants, women, and members of the LGBTIQ+ community. While these groups do not constitute the majority of those detained, the repression against them has been disproportionate, intended to set an example in their communities, particularly against those belonging to civil society groups perceived as critical of the government.
She highlighted the attacks suffered by journalists covering the protests, aimed at obstructing the flow of information. Attacks were recorded against 18 journalists—5 women and 13 men—from 8 media outlets.
Independents. Although they were released, most are subject to repeated illegal house arrest. Diversent also warned about the regulatory system implemented by the government to limit freedom of expression in the digital space. After the July 11 protests, Decree Law No. 35 came into effect, legalizing mass internet access cutoffs and requiring telecommunications operators or providers to monitor online content. Under this legislation, live streaming of demonstrations or online calls for protests can be classified as harmful dissemination, cyberterrorism, cyberwarfare, and social subversion, Diversent added.
On behalf of the Citizens Committee for Racial Integration (CIR), Osvaldo Navarro Veloz announced that they have been monitoring the artists detained after July 11 and the arbitrary actions committed against artists who are members of that organization. “In an attempt to distort the accumulated demands of the most marginalized sectors of Cuban society, the support of the entire inter-American system is vital,” he noted.
Michel Matos, a member of the San Isidro Movement, an organization founded in 2018 with the mission of protecting and safeguarding the cultural and human rights of citizens in Cuba, recounted what civil society organizations have documented since July 11. This includes at least 39 arbitrary arrests of artists connected to the protests, the abusive use of pretrial detention in both prisons and house arrest, confiscation of artwork, travel bans, systematic communication cuts, and denial of access to essential services such as healthcare and housing.
Finally, Marthadela Tamayo González, a member of the Citizens Committee for Racial Integration (CIR) and representative of the Council for Democratic Transition in Cuba (CTDC), denounced the violence against women's bodies as just one link in the chain of cruelty. She referred to specific cases such as that of sisters María Cristina and Angélica Garrido Rodríguez, both human rights activists, who were violently arrested by six police officers on July 12 at their homes. Both are mothers and are awaiting trial on charges of alleged contempt, assault, and resisting arrest, as well as leading a protest in their neighborhood.
On behalf of the IACHR, Commissioner Edgar Stuardo Ralón Orellana, the country's rapporteur, acknowledged the effort and courage of the work carried out by the organizations under such adverse conditions and emphasized that it cannot be argued that an economic embargo is the cause of situations that violate the main freedoms and individual guarantees and human rights, since they have another cause, he said: "There is no freedom or a democratic regime, and as long as that cause is not addressed, it is very difficult to make progress in the fulfillment of human rights.".
“We are concerned about violations of due process and disproportionate sentences whose sole objective is to discourage the right to protest and freedoms. The IACHR reiterates its commitment to continue raising awareness of the situation in Cuba,” she stated.
Julissa Mantilla Falcón, First Vice President of the IACHR, reiterated the Commission's commitment to continue monitoring and supporting the work being done by the organizations, given that it is a source of hope not only for Cuba but also for the region.
The commissioners agreed on their concern about the threats issued by the Cuban government in direct opposition to the protests announced for November 15 and stated that they will maintain special observation during that day.
SIGNED
International Institute on Race, Equality and Human Rights (Race and Equality)
Center for the Opening and Development of Latin America (CADAL)
Civil Rights Defenders (CRD)
Cubalex
Council for Democratic Transition in Cuba (CTDC)
San Isidro Movement (MSI)
Citizens Committee for Racial Integration (CIR)
The Hour of Cuba International
IFEX-ALC
ARTICLE 19 Mexico and Central America
Foundation for Pan-American Democracy (FDP)
Latin American Youth Network for Democracy (LAC Youth)
Center for Action and Defense for Human Rights (CADEF)
Impulsa Latinoamérica (IL)
Civil Rights Defenders (CRD)
Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU)
Patmos Institute (IP)