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The non-governmental organization Cubalex reported this Friday that during the year 2024, a total of 1,559 human rights violations committed against detainees in Cuba were recorded.
Highlighting the figures of arbitrary arrests, violence, and harassment, the annual report presented by the NGO based in the United States indicates that repression on the island remains systematic and profoundly impacts those facing violations of their fundamental rights.
The report details that throughout the year there were 659 arbitrary arrests, 553 cases of violence and harassment, and 282 police summons used as a mechanism of intimidation.
Additionally, 63 deaths in custody were documented without independent investigations, 111 revocations of prison benefits, of which 89 corresponded to political prisoners, and 139 hunger strikes carried out by inmates demanding basic rights.
"These figures are not just data in a report; they are stories of lives cut short, of rights taken away, and of a people subjected to the most ruthless repression. They represent an urgent call to the international community to demand justice and respect for human rights on the island," he emphasized.
In the case of deaths in custody, denounced the lack of justice and independent investigations, while highlighting hunger strikes as a desperate form of struggle to demand what they described as essential basic rights.
“Since Cubalex we remain committed to documenting, denouncing, and supporting the victims of human rights violations in Cuba,” the organization stated while reiterating its goal of raising awareness of this reality and providing free and secure legal advice.
Additionally, they urged anyone with information about these violations or in need of legal support to contact them through their social media channels.
To gauge the severity of the issue, the Center for Documentation of Cuban Prisons (CDPC), another NGO dedicated to this topic, reported a total of 105 complaints from incarcerated individuals in Cuba in December, of which 78 were related to human rights violations.
The independent organization based in Mexico highlighted that the most common types of reported repression were harassment, with 52 documented cases, followed by lack of medical attention in 22 instances, poor living conditions in prison in 17 cases, and food-related issues, which reached 16 complaints.
During the last month of 2024, another 25 forms of abuse against inmates were also reported, including beatings, isolation in punishment cells, restrictions on communications, and the denial of basic rights, according to the collected data.
The provinces with the highest number of reports were Santiago de Cuba, with 18 cases, La Habana, which totaled 17, and Camagüey, with 13.
Regarding penitentiary centers, the most notable were the Boniato prison in Santiago de Cuba, the Combinado del Este in Havana, and the Quivicán prison in Mayabeque, according to the issued report.
The organization also identified at least 47 inmates affected by some form of abuse during this period, including six women and 41 men, while 18 complaints pertained to issues affecting the entire prison population in certain facilities.
Among the recorded tragedies, the deaths of three inmates were reported: Frank Morales Cuesta, Yosvany Sánchez, and Jorge Luis Torres Vaillant, who suffered from illnesses such as tuberculosis, diarrhea, and malnutrition, and died due to a lack of adequate medical care.
Additionally, the deaths of two other prisoners were documented: one allegedly assaulted by other inmates and another as a result of a beating administered by the prison guards, according to testimonies collected by this NGO.
In the list of prisoners who faced the most severe abuses, the names of political prisoners José Daniel Ferrer, Andrés Lugo Pérez, Gustavo Colás Castillo, and the common inmate Torres Vaillant stood out.
The organization emphasized that one of the most common restrictions was the limitation on communications, especially during the Christmas season, along with the suspension of family visits and the punishment of inmates who attempted to report their situation through phone calls.
Frequently Asked Questions about Human Rights Violations in Cuban Prisons
How many human rights violations were recorded in Cuban prisons in 2024?
In 2024, a total of 1,559 human rights violations were recorded in Cuban prisons, according to a report by the organization Cubalex. These violations include arbitrary detentions, violence, harassment, deaths in custody, and hunger strikes.
Which Cuban provinces have the highest number of human rights violations in prisons?
The provinces with the highest number of reports of human rights violations in prisons are Santiago de Cuba, La Habana, and Camagüey. These locations have been identified by the NGO Cubalex and the Cuban Prison Documentation Center as some of the most critical in terms of repression and prison conditions.
What kinds of abuses are committed in Cuban prisons?
In Cuban prisons, the most common abuses include harassment, lack of medical attention, inadequate living conditions, and food shortages. Beatings, isolation in punishment cells, restrictions on communication, and denial of basic rights are also reported, according to Cubalex and other human rights organizations.
What actions are being taken to address human rights violations in Cuba?
Organizations like Cubalex are documenting and denouncing these violations at an international level, providing free and secure legal advice to victims, and calling on the international community to demand justice and respect for human rights in Cuba. However, the response from Cuban authorities has been limited and lacking transparency.
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