Those released from the 11J protests report a ban on posting on social media as a condition of their parole

Recently released political prisoners in Cuba, part of the group of 51, have reported that authorities are imposing restrictions on them regarding the publication of content on social media as part of the conditions of their parole.

One of the cases is that of Juan Pablo Martínez, a 32-year-old Cuban sentenced to 11 years in prison for public disorder and sabotage following his participation in the protests of July 11, 2021 (11J) in Güira de Melena, in the province of Artemisa, reported the outlet Martí Noticias.

According to Martínez's account in an interview with that media outlet, he was unexpectedly released last Friday on parole, after serving nearly five years of his sentence; however, he first had to sign a document with specific prohibitions, including not posting content on social media and not associating with individuals deemed "criminals".

At the time of his release, the authorities informed him that the decision to free him as part of the group of 51 benefiting from a recent dialogue with the Vatican was based on his “good behavior” while he was incarcerated.

However, the benefit came with several restrictions, including the obligation to maintain a limited routine between his home and the job assigned to him by the State. Martínez must appear before the court on March 25 to receive a mandatory job placement.

During his imprisonment, the 11J protester was held in several correctional facilities, including Combinado del Este in Havana, an area known as Zero Zone, and later the forced labor camp Ceiba 5 in Caimito del Guayabal, Artemisa province, where he remained for nearly two years.

According to his account, in that last facility, he met another young protester from the 11J movement, originally from San Antonio de los Baños, who was also recently released under similar conditions.

The releases of some political prisoners in Cuba have occurred amidst international pressures and diplomatic efforts, including discussions linked to the Vatican, although human rights organizations have warned that many opponents remain incarcerated or subject to restrictions after their release from prison.