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The non-governmental organization Human Rights Watch (HRW) described Thursday as "calamitous" the situation regarding human rights in Cuba for the year 2024, where the regime continues to suppress any form of dissent and engages in political persecution against opponents, activists, and peaceful protesters.
In its new Global Report, HRW denounced arbitrary detentions, torture, intimidation, and an increasingly hostile environment for those who criticize the Government on the island.
Juan Pappier, deputy director of HRW for the Americas, emphasized that the severe economic crisis in Cuba has exacerbated human rights violations, severely impacting the population's access to basic services such as health and food, according to the EFE agency.
“Systematic repression adds to power outages and food shortages, directly impacting the economic rights of the population,” Pappier stated in comments to the mentioned outlet.
In several cases, the detainees were subjected to isolation, mistreatment, and even torture.
HRW emphasizes that the lack of due process and the subordination of the courts to the executive power remain a constant in the Cuban judicial system.
The organization also denounced the imprisonment since 2021 of prominent opposition figures, such as musician Maykel Castillo, artist Manuel Otero Alcántara, and dissident José Daniel Ferrer, whom they label as "political prisoners."
HRW also warned that individuals who criticize the government on social media or participate in peaceful protests are often accused of crimes, and in many cases, face severe prison sentences.
Regarding the conditions within the prisons, the report highlights overcrowding and the lack of adequate mechanisms to prevent abuses, while emphasizing that access for human rights groups to the prisons continues to be restricted by the Cuban government.
In relation to the economic situation, HRW warned about the shortage of essential products across the island, including food and medicine, as well as prolonged blackouts impacting a large part of the population, with cuts lasting up to 20 hours a day in some regions.
The NGO also mentioned that the Cuban government requested assistance from the UN World Food Programme for the first time due to the severe food crisis.
Despite acknowledging the impact of U.S. sanctions, particularly Cuba's inclusion until last Tuesday on the list of state sponsors of terrorism, HRW argues that the Cuban regime uses these measures as a "pretext" to justify its abuses and to seek international support.
The NGO Prisoners Defenders (PD) raised the number of political prisoners in Cuba to 1,161 by the end of 2024.
In December, 16 names were added to the NGO's list, but ultimately the monthly report showed 13 more than in November, as three inmates were released from prison after fully serving their sentences.
This week, following negotiations with the Vatican and the United States, the regime agreed to release 553 prisoners in exchange for being removed from the list of countries that sponsor terrorism.
Frequently Asked Questions about Human Rights and Repression in Cuba
How does Human Rights Watch rate the year 2024 in terms of human rights in Cuba?
Human Rights Watch has described the year 2024 as "calamitous" in terms of human rights in Cuba, due to the regime's repression against opponents, activists, and peaceful demonstrators, including arbitrary detentions and torture.
What are the main human rights violations reported in the HRW report on Cuba?
The HRW report denounces arbitrary detentions, torture, and intimidation, as well as an increasingly hostile environment for those who criticize the government on the island, with a lack of due legal process and the subordination of the courts to the executive power.
What impact does the economic crisis in Cuba have on human rights?
The economic crisis in Cuba has exacerbated human rights violations, severely impacting the population's access to basic services such as healthcare and food, as well as causing prolonged power outages.
What is the situation of political prisoners in Cuba according to HRW?
According to HRW, Cuba keeps prominent opposition figures imprisoned, such as Maykel Castillo, Manuel Otero Alcántara, and José Daniel Ferrer, whom it classifies as "political prisoners." The conditions in the prisons include overcrowding and lack of access to human rights groups.
How does the Cuban government respond to allegations of human rights abuses?
The Cuban government uses American sanctions as a "pretext" to justify its abuses and seek international support, although HRW maintains that this does not excuse the ongoing human rights violations on the island.
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