IACHR, SFROE, and REDESCA condemn repression of organizations and media in Cuba amid severe social and economic crisis

December 4, 2024

Washington, D.C. — The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and the offices of the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression (SFROE) and the Special Rapporteur on Economic, Social, Cultural, and Environmental Rights (REDESCA) strongly condemn the escalating repression in Cuba targeting dissidents amid a profound social and economic crisis. They call on the Cuban authorities to halt all forms of repression and ensure that people can exercise their rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association, and economic, social, cultural, and environmental rights.

Since mid-2024, the IACHR has documented systematic patterns of repression by the Cuban authorities targeting journalists, activists, human rights defenders, and political dissidents. Reports have been received of practices that include Internet shutdowns, house arrests, surveillance operations, arbitrary detentions, fines, summonses, and interrogations.

According to public reports, judicial proceedings and criminal sanctions have been imposed on protesters, who have also received threats seeking to dissuade them from participating in demonstrations and religious ceremonies. On July 17, 2024, the IACHR learned that at least six activists were sentenced to prison for participating in the May 6, 2023, protests in Caimanera, Guantánamo. The charges included "public disorder," "instigation to commit a crime," "minor injuries," and "attempted terrorist attacks."

The IACHR was also informed of the arrest of at least 12 members of the Damas de Blanco group on October 14, 2024, and at least 25 arrests during the more than 70 protests that have taken place since mid-October in response to the collapse of the electricity system. This information comes in addition to reports on the appalling conditions experienced by people deprived of their freedom in Cuba. The IACHR is particularly concerned by the case of Jesús de Guillen Esplugas, who died in Combinado del Este prison in late November, allegedly after being beaten by prison guards.

Since September 2024, reports have indicated that repression targeting journalists and media workers has intensified, including tactics such as arbitrary detentions, unannounced home visits, and summonses for interrogation. Journalists have also been charged with supposed crimes like "mercenarism" and "propaganda against the constitutional order" under the newly enacted Law of Social Communication, which entered into force on October 4. Other charges are for crimes related to "honor and integrity" in response to social media publications exercising the government. There have also been reports of threats against journalists' relatives, the confiscation of equipment, and theft of savings.

The SFROE has expressed particular concern over recent allegations that journalists have been recorded without consent, coerced into incriminating themselves for crimes they did not commit, and forced to give false information about the media outlets they work for. According to public information, State agents have reportedly demanded that journalists reveal information about their income, resign publicly from their jobs, and state their intention to refrain from participating in independent media outlets or projects that are deemed "subversive."

The IACHR and the SFROE reminds the Cuban government that freedom of association and expression are fundamental, inalienable rights that are intrinsic to all people and are essential pillars of any democratic society. Consequently, they call once more on the Cuban State to take immediate measures to create a safe, enabling environment for the exercise of freedom of association, expression, and the press. This includes halting judicial harassment and all forms of oppression. They also urged the State to release all individuals detained for defending human rights or expressing critical views of the government.

This situation is unfolding against the backdrop of a profound social and economic crisis that is exacerbated by the long-standing US embargo, which further compromises guarantees of economic, social, cultural, and environmental rights for the Cuban people. REDESCA expressed its concern over two blackouts in recent weeks: one caused by a thermoelectric plant failure and the other by Hurricane Rafael. According to public information, these prolonged outages have paralyzed production, disrupted access to essential basic services such as food, water, and medicine, and impacted schools, hospitals, and cultural activities.

The IACHR and REDESCA urge the Cuban State to guarantee economic, social, cultural, and environmental rights without discrimination and under equal conditions for all, prioritizing the needs of vulnerable groups such as individuals deprived of their freedom and those living in poverty.

The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression was created by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to promote and protect freedom of thought and expression across the Americas, acknowledging its crucial role in fostering and strengthening democratic systems.

The Office of the Special Rapporteur on Economic, Social, Cultural, and Environmental Rights was created by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to better promote and protect economic, social, cultural, and environmental rights across the Americas and to lead the IACHR's efforts in this area.

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) is an autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS) whose mandate is based on the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. Its mission is to promote and defend human rights throughout the Americas and to serve as an advisory body to the OAS in this area. The IACHR consists of seven independent members elected by the OAS General Assembly who serve in a personal capacity and do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

No. 306/24

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