​Last month, Reina Reyes Gómez, a member of the Free Yorubas of Cuba, was fined 2,000 CUP for her participation in the peaceful protests that broke out on July 11.

​(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.

​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.

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.

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. 

​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.

On July 19, 2021, several members of the Association of Free Yorubas of Cuba were charged as a result of participation in peaceful protests that broke out in provinces all across the island on July 11.

​Thousands of Cubans took to the streets on Sunday in several cities throughout their island nation to peacefully assemble and protest, calling for liberty, free exercise of their fundamental freedoms, and change. Cuban state security forces were deployed, and many demonstrators were beaten, arrested and disappeared by the evening. The whereabouts of many are still unknown.

​On Monday, June 28, members of the Association of Free Yorubas of Cuba appeared at the People’s Court and Prosecutor’s Office of Placetas, Villa Clara, to file a complaint about dozens of religious freedom violations. The Free Yorubas are requesting an investigation into these violations, which are prohibited under the Cuban Constitution.