​Earlier today, the Global Liberty Alliance updated the Organization of American States’ Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) on the status of four members of the Association of Free Yorubas of Cuba who have been held in prison since mid-July of this year.

On October 1, acting leadership of the Association of Free Yorubas of Cuba made a statement responding to the Provincial Prosecutor of Villa Clara’s findings and sentencing for four members of the Free Yorubas and other political activists who joined the mass July 11 protests in Placetas and throughout Cuba.

​Earlier this week, the Municipal Prosecutor’s Office of Placetas in Villa Clara sentenced over ten individuals to 8-10 years in prison for participation in protests that took place on July 11. Charges were filed against several members of the Association of Free Yorubas of Cuba and other opposition group affiliates for a variety of crimes including disobedience, public disorder and assault/attack.

UPDATE AS OF 9/28/2021 (5:00PM)
The prosecutor has officially charged sisters Lisdiani & Lisdani with 1 count public disorder, two counts of disobedience, and two counts of assault/attack for a total of 10 years in prison with additional travel restrictions.

MORE INFORMATION COMING SOON!

​On September 17, the Global Liberty Alliance (GLA) applied for Precautionary Measures from the Organization of American States (OAS) Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) on behalf of four members of the Association of Free Yorubas of Cuba (“Free Yorubas”), Donaida Pérez Paseiro, Loreto Hernández García, Lisdiani Rodriguez Isaac and Lisdani Rodríguez Isaac.

​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.