Cubalex reports on the serious situation of political prisoner and activist Roilán Álvarez Rensoler, a member of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU) and promoter of the Cuba Decides initiative, who is being held in the Holguín provincial prison. According to information provided by his sister, Ariagna Álvarez Rensoler, the opposition member began a new hunger strike after being physically assaulted by prison authorities for refusing to wear the regulation uniform. As retaliation, he was transferred to solitary confinement, and on July 24, 2026, he completed eight days of sustained protest. During a phone call, Álvarez Rensoler reiterated He told his family that he is determined to maintain his hunger strike while he remains in prison, so his main demand is his release.
Background and charges
Roilán Álvarez Rensoler, 41, a resident of the municipality of Mella, Santiago de Cuba, has been held in pretrial detention since his arrest on January 30, 2026. Cuban authorities have charged him with the alleged crime of propaganda against the constitutional order, accusing him of painting anti-government graffiti in the province of Holguín and damaging a billboard bearing Fidel Castro's image in Birán. This adds to a worrying history of declining health due to repression while in state custody. March of this year, after remaining for an extended period in hunger strike In protest against his arbitrary arrest, he suffered severe kidney complications and a cardiorespiratory arrest for which he had to be resuscitated.
Physical abuse, threats and harassment against the defense and the family
The activist's family has denounced a continuing pattern of abuse and coercion by state agents:
- Physical assaults and their consequences: Roilán reported receiving severe blows to his arms with clubs, serious head contusions, and attempts at manual strangulation, which left his throat severely injured and almost completely prevents the use of his voice.
- Direct intimidation: The activist reported threats made by the head of prisons and jails in Holguín, who warned that he would make him disappear, subject him to sexual violence, and take reprisals that would simulate an “accident” against his family members if they went to the prison.
- Obstruction of legal defense: When the defense attorney went to the prison to check on Roilán's health and well-being, the authorities denied him access. Later, the lawyer informed the family that Roilán was under close surveillance and facing threats from State Security.
Applicable international standards
The current situation of Roilán Álvarez Rensoler demonstrates the violation of several of his constitutional rights, as recognized in Articles 46 (right to life), 51 (right not to be subjected to torture), and 95 (right to due process). It also constitutes a direct violation of the standards recognized in various treaties and instruments of international human rights law:
- United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (Nelson Mandela Rules): This case demonstrates the violation of the rules Numbers 1 and 43 because the authorities subjected Roilán to torture, cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, as well as prolonged solitary confinement as retaliation for his protest. Furthermore, the state failed to fulfill its obligation to provide adequate and timely medical assistance.
- UN Principles of Medical Ethics y Malta Protocol: Authorities must respect the autonomy of individuals on hunger strike and refrain from subjecting them to coercion, cruel treatment, or punitive isolation to force them to end their protest. Placing Roilán in solitary confinement constitutes treatment that criminalizes his right to peaceful protest and exacerbates his already compromised health, which is affected by his incarceration and previous hunger strikes.
- Right to personal integrity and judicial guarantees (International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment): The case of Roilán demonstrates the violation of his right to life and physical integrity while in state custody and his right to effective access to private legal representation. It also affects the family's right to reliable information about Roilán's situation. IDPCP It was signed by the Cuban state on February 28, 2008, while the aforementioned convention It was ratified on May 17, 1995.
Cubalex requirements
Cubalex reiterates that the Cuban State is solely responsible for the life and physical integrity of Roilán Álvarez Rensoler. We demand the following immediately:
- Immediately and unconditionally release Roilán Álvarez Rensoler and cease the criminalization of his human rights advocacy activities.
- End the punitive isolation and the physical and verbal attacks against him within the prison.
- To provide adequate and independent medical care, ensuring strict compliance with international standards on medical ethics and the care of people on hunger strike.
- Guarantee immediate access for the defense lawyer to the case files and the resumption of family visits without coercion or threats of reprisals.
- Cease all acts of harassment, intimidation and bullying against the activist's family members and his legal team.