Political prisoner and Prisoner of Conscience José Daniel Ferrer García has been in solitary confinement and forced isolation for three months at Mar Verde prison in Santiago de Cuba province.
As of June 12, the general coordinator of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (Unpacu) has been incommunicado for 88 days, according to his family.
His wife, Dr. Nelva Ismarays Ortega, explained in a audio disseminated by the Cuban Observatory for Human Rights (OCDH), which on June 9 went to the prison for a conjugal visit that was due to him and was not allowed it, for the third consecutive time.
“Everything indicates that he is still alive, in the same small punishment cell, technologically equipped to torture him both physically and psychologically. Half-naked, isolated from the entire prison population under deplorable, inhuman, cruel and degrading conditions,” Ortega added.
Ferrer García is a prominent leader and human rights defender in Cuba. For years he has worked tirelessly to denounce and combat human rights violations on the island. Sadly, since March 7, 2023, he has been held in solitary confinement in Mar Verde prison, deprived of contact with the outside world.
The use of prolonged solitary confinement as punishment and retaliation is a widely known tactic to undermine the physical and psychological integrity of prisoners of conscience. This practice flagrantly violates international human rights standards, including the Mandela Rules, which establish minimum safeguards for the treatment of prisoners.
According to the Mandela Rules, the use of prolonged solitary confinement as punishment is inhumane and may constitute torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. These rules recognize that deprivation of human contact and lack of access to basic services can have serious consequences for the physical and mental health of individuals.
The Cubalex organization supports the demand for proof of life of the Cuban political prisoner.
It is imperative that the competent authorities act immediately and provide conclusive proof of José Daniel Ferrer's life and well-being. His family has been denied visitation rights, having been granted only 11 visits during more than a year of unjust and arbitrary detention. His wife, friends, and the international community are deeply concerned for his health, well-being, and the possibility that his life is in danger.
In this regard, the organization urges the authorities to comply with the following demands:
- Provide immediate proof of life for José Daniel Ferrer through a communication in which he can express his current condition and well-being.
- Guarantee the immediate cessation of forced incommunicado detention and allow regular contact with his family, lawyers and representatives of human rights organizations.
- Respect and protect the fundamental rights of José Daniel Ferrer, including his right to physical and mental integrity, as well as his right to a fair and impartial trial.
- To thoroughly and transparently investigate any allegations of human rights violations committed against José Daniel Ferrer, and to bring those responsible to justice.
Read also:
- Amnesty International Urgent Action: Cuba: Political leader held incommunicado for months: José Daniel Ferrer García
- Mandela Rules (United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners: Nelson Mandela Rules, General Assembly, resolution 70/175, annex, adopted on 17 December 2015)