CASE UPDATE: Free Yorubas Unlawfully Detained, Imprisoned Following Peaceful Protests

8/5/2021

Last month, several members of the Association of Free Yorubas of Cuba were detained and now face charges related to participation in peaceful protests that broke out in provinces across the island on July 11.

The Free Yorubas charged, including members Loreto Hernandez Garcia, Donaida Perez Paseiro, and Elizabeth Cintra Garcia, are currently being held in provisional prisons or under house arrest as a precautionary measure until a trial is held.

Yoruba Vice President Loreto Hernandez Garcia in Critical Health, Transferred to La Pendiente Prison in Santa Clara, CubA

LORETO HERNÁNDEZ GARCÍA

Mr. Loreto Hernandez Garcia, Vice President of the Association of Free Yorubas of Cuba, was unlawfully arrested on July 15, and held in police custody following the peaceful protests and demonstrations last month.

Mr. Hernandez was taken to Caibarien Prison in Villa Clara following his arrest, and placed in isolation after being exposed to another prisoner with COVID-19.

On July 19, Hernandez along with other members of the Free Yorubas, were charged with public disorder, disobedience, spreading the epidemic, and incitement. The District Attorney of Placetas ruled they would be held in a provisional prison as a precautionary measure until a trial is held.

Earlier this week, on August 2, Mr. Hernandez was urgently taken to see a doctor after complaining of chest pains and high blood pressure. The doctor at the Caibarien facility told him he was experiencing pre-infarction and was in a critical state of health.

Mr. Hernandez was then transferred from the Caibarien facility to La Pendiente prison in Santa Clara on Wednesday, August 4.

Mr. Hernandez, who suffers from several pre-existing medical conditions including high blood pressure, chronic asthma, chronic hypertension, diabetes, and other cardiac problems, has reported to family members that his health has continued to deteriorate while in prison. The most recent diagnosis of pre-infarction is very concerning based on his medical history, and places him at risk of lethal complications.

Hernandez’s wife and President of the Free Yorubas, Donaida Perez Paseiro, was also arrested, and was charged alongside her husband. She is currently being held in Guamajal Prison, in Villa Clara.

USCIRF FoRB Victim Profile: Loreto Hernández García

Others Detained in Provisional Prisons, Under House Arrest as Precautionary Measure Until Trials Held

DONAIDA PEREZ PASEIRO

Donaida Perez Paseiro, President of the Association of Free Yorubas of Cuba, was arrested on July 16, after voluntarily surrendering herself in compliance with a summons issued after participation in peaceful protests. Ms. Perez was held at Caibarien Prison in Villa Clara until July 19, when she was transferred to Guamajal prison in Santa Clara, following a ruling by the District Attorney of Placetas to hold Ms. Perez in provisional prison as a precautionary measure until a trial is held.

A member of the Free Yorubas attempted to visit Ms. Perez on July 23 but was not permitted to meet with her face-to-face because she was allegedly being held in COVID isolation.

Ms. Perez has a history of hypertension, though her current health status and overall situation are unknown.

USCIRF FoRB Victim Profile: Donaida Pérez Paseiro

ELIZABETH CINTRA GARCIA

On July 14, 20-year-old Elizabeth Cintra Garcia was harassed by State Security because of her involvement in the July 11 protests. State Security tried to intimidate Ms. Cintra by riding their motorcycle dangerously close to her, a typical tactic used by Cuban authorities.

Elizabeth Cintra Garcia (20) was arrested after attending a peaceful protest in Placetas, Villa Clara. She is being accused of public disturbance, disrespecting authority, and propagating the epidemic. #soscuba #CubaLibre pic.twitter.com/XKodtppzk1
— angelica (@zerepacilegnaa) July 20, 2021

On July 15, Ms. Cintra recorded a video statement before voluntarily appearing for an appointment with State Security officers. In the statement, she said she was unafraid, and was in perfect health. She was arrested upon her arrival.

The following day, on July 16, Ms. Cintra was sent to Villa Clareno prison in Villa Clara as she awaited transfer. On July 19, she was moved to Guamajal prison along with other members of the Free Yorubas.

The same day, on July 19, the District Attorney of Placetas issued a ruling for several members of the Free Yorubas to hold them in provisional prison as a precautionary measure until a trial is held.

Several days later, on July 24, Ms. Cintra was released from Guamajal prison and will be held under house arrest until a trial is conducted.

USCIRF FoRB Victim Profile: Elizabeth Cintra García

LISDIANY RODRIGUEZ ISAK & LISDANY RODRIGUEZ ISAK

Cuban authorities picked up twin sisters Lisdiany and Lisdany Rodriguez Isak, 22 years old, on July 19, as government authorities rounded up individuals for participation in protests earlier that month. They were held at a police station in Placetas, and then transferred to Guamajal prison in Santa Clara on August 4. The same day, they were finally able to communicate with their mother. This was the first time since their arrest, over three weeks prior, that they were able to make contact with family.

USCIRF FoRB Victim Profile: Lisdiany Rodriguez Isak
USCIRF FoRB Victim Profile: Lisdany Rodríguez Isak

RELATED NEWS & MEDIA:

Breitbart - "Afro-Cuban Spiritual Leader in ‘Critical Health’ Under Arrest for July 11 Protests," (August 6, 2021).
GLA Press Release – “Free Yorubas Unlawfully Detained, Imprisoned Following Peaceful Protests,” (July 20, 2021).
GLA News Alert – “Crackdown in Cuba: Religious Beaten/Detained as Protests Turn Violent,” (July 13, 2021).
GLA Featured Casework: The Association of Free Yorubas of Cuba, Beaten and Persecuted for their Beliefs

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