Cuba: Human Rights and Political Situation

Government Repression and Economic Crisis

• Cuban government represses dissent and public criticism.
• Dire economic crisis impacts social and economic rights.
• July demonstrations against government policies and COVID-19 response.
• Brutal repression followed the protests.

Arbitrary Detention and Imprisonment

• Government uses arbitrary detention to intimidate critics and activists.
• Over 1,000 peaceful demonstrators detained in July protests.
• Detainees often held incommunicado and subjected to ill-treatment.
• Example: Gabriela Zequeira Hernández, a 17-year-old, arrested and sentenced for "public disorder."
• Threats and warnings against November 15 demonstration.
• Systematic detention of independent journalists and artists.

Freedom of Expression

• Government controls media and restricts access to information.
• Independent journalism forbidden despite some economic activity expansions.
• Journalists and critics face harassment and violence.
• Internet access increased but limited; restrictions on social media during protests.
• Decree-Law 35/2021 regulates telecommunications to suppress dissent.

Political Prisoners

• As of September, 251 people held as political prisoners.
• Courts lack independence, and trials often violate due process.
• Disproportionate sentences for protest participation.
• Example: José Daniel Ferrer, opposition leader, arrested for protest involvement.

Travel Restrictions

• Reforms in 2013 allowed travel but with broad restrictions.
• Selective denial of exit to dissenters.
• Example: Journalist Karla Pérez denied re-entry to Cuba.

Prison Conditions

• Overcrowded prisons with no effective complaint mechanisms.
• Criticism of government often leads to solitary confinement and abuse.
• COVID-19 led to suspension of family visits, leaving detainees incommunicado.

Labor Rights

• Violations of International Labour Organization standards.
• Only one confederation of state-controlled unions allowed.
• Cuban health workers deployed abroad under restrictive conditions.

Human Rights Defenders

• Government does not recognize human rights monitoring.
• Harassment and imprisonment of defenders documenting abuses.
• Example: Laritza Diversent threatened with prosecution.

Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

• Constitution prohibits discrimination but violence persists.
• Marriage redefinition proposal withdrawn after protests, but reforms ongoing.

Sexual and Reproductive Rights

• Abortion decriminalized since 1965 and available at public hospitals.

Key International Actors

• US embargo used by Cuban government as an excuse for internal problems.
• UN and EU expressed concern about human rights violations.
• Limited progress on improving human rights under US administration.
• EU's Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement with Cuba delayed by Lithuania.

• The notes cover key aspects of political repression, human rights issues, and international relations as reported in the source document.