​(Alexandria, Virginia) The Global Liberty Alliance, a network of lawyers and fundamental right defenders dedicated to strengthening basic rights, free markets, and the rule of law, is urging fellow human right defenders to help raise awareness of the plight of the Association of the Free Yorubas of Cuba (“Free Yorubas”) whose members have been rounded up and unlawfully imprisoned for their beliefs and peaceful resistance efforts to endemic Communist Party persecution.

​On August 31, Ms. Elizabeth Cintra Garcia, member of the Free Yorubas of Cuba, was summoned to a local police station and fined 3,000 CUP for participation in the peaceful protests that broke out nation-wide on July 11.
 
Before being summoned, Ms. Cintra was placed in prison, then under house arrest, as a precautionary measure pending a trial, however, Cuban authorities opted to issue a fine instead of affording Ms. Cintra the opportunity to appear before a judge and defend the charges brought against her.

UPDATED (9/2/2021 7:20PM EST)
 
One day after paying fines, Pastors Yéremi Blanco Ramirez and Yarian Sierra Madrigal were summoned once again to the local police station where they were informed they would be monitored/under surveillance for a 6-month period. They were forced to sign a document acknowledging this fact but were not given copies.
 
This type of surveillance is often used by Cuban authorities when they are preparing to charge individuals with “pre-criminal dangerousness.”
 
GLA’s legal consultant close to the case speculated that the Cuban authorities were targeting the pastors because they are Christians and they can organize many people quickly, their personal facebook pages also references the popular #SOSCuba which authorities consider an act of dissidence. The consultant added, “for the regime they [the Pastors] are dangerous.”

​On August 31, 2021, Dayron Dadiz Larrondo, a member of the Free Yorubas of Cuba, was summoned to appear at a police station in Placetas, Villa Clara, after participation in island-wide protests that broke out July 11.
 
When Mr. Dadiz arrived, he was fined 1,000 CUP for his involvement in the peaceful protests. The penalty issued in lieu of a trial, denies Mr. Dadiz of his right to due process under Cuban law. He was neither granted the opportunity to defend himself against charges bought forth by political police, nor was he provided with state-appointed legal counsel.

​On Monday, August 30, four activists, Marisol Peña Cobas, Adrián Quesada Flores, Leyanis Heredia and Yasmanis Suárez, were summoned before the Municipal People’s Court of Camagüey and tried for alleged crimes of “resistance” after distributing printed materials earlier this year.
 
On February 27, the activists along with other members of the Libertarian Opposition distributed printed materials in Mendez Plaza, Camagüey, near an MLC store. The activists, simply expressing their freedom to peacefully protest, were met by State Security and PNR police, who quickly came down on the activists, beating them and detaining those involved. Nearly 7 months later, four of the activists were summoned and tried on short notice.

Earlier today, daughter of Loreto Hernandez Garcia, Vice President of the Free Yorubas of Cuba, demanded medical treatment for her father who remains in police custody in Santa Clara, Cuba. Mr. Hernandez’s brother, and former political prisoner Jorge Luis García Pérez (“Antúñez”) also called on international organizations to raise awareness and support for his brother’s case.
 
Loreto Hernandez Garcia has been held in police custody since July 15, and is in critical condition after suffering pre-infarction while in police custody earlier this month.

​Yesterday, Uruguay’s Ministry of Social Development (MIDES) announced it would not be renewing the contract it has with the Cuban government for work through Uruguay’s National Center for Technical and Technological Aid (CENATT).
 
The Global Liberty Alliance (GLA), which has spent close to two years has used various legal tools, including freedom of information laws and human rights litigation, to hold to account officials who authorized the Cuban Medical Brigade programs in Uruguay and other nations. GLA issued the following press release in response to yesterday’s important events.

On August 7, Florida school teacher and US citizen Alina López Miyares celebrated her fifth consecutive birthday as a prisoner in Cuba. A few days later, her 94-year-old mother, also named Alina, recorded a message for U.S. policymakers and representatives pleading for support in securing her daughter’s release.

On August 11, 2021, spokesperson for the Association of Free Yorubas of Cuba, Ms. Yaimara Reyes Soler, recorded the following message of support for fellow members Donaida Perez Paseiro, Loreto Hernandez Garcia, and twin sisters Lisdiany and Lisdany Rodriguez Isak (aka Lisdiani & Lisdani Rodriguez Isaac), all of which are currently imprisoned in Santa Clara, Cuba following nation-wide protests on July 11. 

​On Tuesday, August 10, Mr. Virgilio Mantilla Arango appeared before the Florida municipality court in Camagüey, Cuba to appeal fabricated charges of contempt following the July 11 protests. An appeal was filed by Mr. Mantilla, who was forced to use a state lawyer shortly after charges were announced. As private law practice is not permitted in Cuba, Mr. Mantilla was not allowed to contract with a non-state attorney. Lawyers who do not work in the Communist Party-controlled national law firm system are prohibited from defending clients in Cuban courts.