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The UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, David Lammy, sent a letter to the imprisoned Cuban pastor Lorenzo Rosales Fajardo, reaffirming his government's commitment to defending human rights and securing the release of political prisoners in Cuba.
"We stand in solidarity with you and so many other Cubans who are victims of widespread repression, and we urge the Cuban authorities to release you and all other political prisoners immediately and unconditionally," Lammy stated in the letter, signed on December 10, Human Rights Day.
The document was cited by Mundo Cristiano. Lammy also emphasized that the United Kingdom will continue to monitor respect for human rights in Cuba.
Pastor Rosales Fajardo was arrested on July 11, 2021, after participating in peaceful protests in Cuba and was sentenced in 2022 to seven years in prison on alleged charges of "disobedience and public disorder."
Initially, he was incarcerated in the Boniato Maximum Security Prison and later transferred to a lower-security facility.
In February 2024, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention denounced his situation. Anna Lee Stangl from the organization Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) praised the British initiative and reiterated the call for the immediate release of the pastor and other political prisoners on the island.
The United States government has repeatedly called for the release of religious leaders such as Rosales Fajardo and Loreto Hernández García, both imprisoned following the protests on July 11th.
These arrests have been described as an attempt by the Cuban regime to stifle dissent, even in the religious sphere.
The letter from the British minister reinforces global demands for justice and human rights in Cuba.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Situation of Political Prisoners in Cuba
Why was Pastor Lorenzo Rosales Fajardo imprisoned in Cuba?
Pastor Lorenzo Rosales Fajardo was imprisoned after participating in the peaceful protests on July 11, 2021, in Cuba. He was sentenced to seven years in prison on charges of "contempt and public disorder," a situation that has been denounced by multiple human rights organizations as an attempt by the Cuban regime to suppress dissent.
How has the British government responded to the situation of political prisoners in Cuba?
The British government, through its Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, David Lammy, has expressed its commitment to defending human rights in Cuba. Lammy sent a letter to Pastor Lorenzo Rosales Fajardo expressing solidarity and demanding the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners on the island.
What is the current situation of political prisoners in Cuba?
In Cuba, there are currently about 1,117 political prisoners, many of whom were arrested during the protests on July 11, 2021. The conditions of detention are alarming, with reports of torture, cruel and inhuman treatment, and inadequate medical care.
What actions are being taken internationally to support political prisoners in Cuba?
The international community, including governments and human rights organizations, has expressed its concern over the situation in Cuba. Calls have been made for the release of political prisoners, and sanctions against the Cuban regime have been demanded. The United Kingdom and the United States are among the countries that have urged the Cuban government to respect human rights.
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