Díaz-Canel speaks of "rights" in Cuba "for everyone"

The leader Miguel Díaz-Canel took the opportunity this Thursday during the International Week of Deaf People to publish a message on his Facebook account asserting that Cuba will ensure spaces where "dignity, communication, and rights find pathways for everyone." 

"The world celebrates International Week of Deaf People, an opportunity to highlight rights, diversity, communication, and inclusion. Cuba will continue to promote participation and spaces where dignity, communication, and rights find paths for all," he wrote.

The Cuban leader posted the message on his Facebook profile in honor of the global commemoration week driven by the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD), which this year is celebrated under the theme "Declaring the human rights of deaf individuals" and also coincides with the 75th anniversary of that organization.

The post includes images related to the Deaflympics in Tokyo 2025, including an athlete wearing bib number 068 posing with the Cuban flag on an athletics track, and two athletes with medals around their necks wearing uniforms of the national delegation.

Cuba participated in that competition with 21 athletes in five disciplines —athletics, judo, wrestling, table tennis, and cycling— and returned with three medals.

The most prominent figure was Suslaidy Girat, who secured gold in the long jump with a mark of 6.11 meters and silver in the triple jump with 12.60 meters. The judoka Yadira Ramos rounded out the medal tally with bronze in the 63-kilogram category.

With that result, the Island finished in 30th place among 81 participating countries in the Deaflympics in Tokyo.

Díaz-Canel's speech on inclusion and rights comes at a time when the Cuban regime is consistently pointed out before international human rights organizations.

These entities denounce the restrictions imposed on the civil and political freedoms of their citizens, from the repression of dissent to the imprisonment of activists and demonstrators.

The International Week of Deaf People has been celebrated every last week of September since it was established by the WFD.