NEWS ALERT – Crackdown in Cuba: Religious Beaten/Detained as Protests Turn Violent

7/13/2021

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.

Videos and other disturbing images coming out of Cuba merit U.S. and international condemnation.

Independent Cuban lawyers have and will continue to work on defending those arbitrarily detained and on documentation and accountability.

There are also widely reported and documented incidents of jamming of telecommunications signals blocking Internet access to millions of Cubans pursuing information about the ongoing situation and seeking to let the world see and hear directly from the peaceful demonstrators.

American service providers of telecommunications services to the island should advise their client, the state-owned enterprise ETECSA and its subsidiaries, that censorship or weaponization of U.S. technologies and services is not only reckless, but contrary to U.S. law and long-standing policies.

“As we do in the United States, people in Cuba should have the right to redress against their government without fear of being beaten, tortured, or unlawfully imprisoned,” said Jason Poblete, President of the Global Liberty Alliance.

“American telecommunications companies providing services in Cuba should also demand that Cuba stop weaponizing American telecom goods and services and other services, including remittances, that we have noticed have been turned against the Cuban people,” added Poblete.

BACKGROUND

Over the past year or so, the Cuban government has increased its tactics in censoring dissidence, using the global pandemic to silence anyone who attempts to speak out about the situation on the ground in Cuba.

LATEST GLA NEWS ALERT ON CENSORSHIP IN CUBA
"Cuban Regime Targets Independent Journalists Lázaro Yuri Valle Roca & Eralidis Frómeta Planco"
June 24, 2021

In addition to censorship, excessive use of force by security forces, and other gross violations of fundament rights, Cuban authorities also appear to have targeted religious communities. For example, the Association of Free Yorubas of Cuba, which Cuba’s Religion Police – the Communist Party’s Office of Religious Affairs – continues to hunt down as political in nature, was surveilled, intimidated and threatened with arrests yesterday. Several officials with Cuba’s security forces, flanked by others unknown, along with three police vans, were dispatched to a home where individuals were sheltering in place to avoid the violence.

□ ALERT□ GLA has received word that the #FreeYorubas of #Cuba may be under arrest. The Free Yorubas report that 3 police vans have arrived to arrest up to 15 people sheltering in a home. @USCIRF pic.twitter.com/U0P2VaAZ8c
— The Global Liberty Alliance (@GLALegalDefense) July 12, 2021

Only last week, on July 8, a group of independent lawyers in Cuba issued an URGENT DECLARATION requesting international support in the wake of deadly circumstances in Matanzas. As the Cuban government compels its medical professionals to travel abroad, those at home are faced with a catastrophic situation of overcrowding, no access to medicines, food, or even basic healthcare.

LATEST URGENT ACTION Notice by Independent Journalists in Cuba
"DECLARACIÓN URGENTE"
Corriente Agramontista
July 8, 2021

In another incident that could have resulted in the death of a Catholic priest in Camagüey, Father Castor Álvarez, was beaten and detained July 11, while defending young protestors from violence. He was released at the end of the day yesterday. Fr. Castor, as he is widely known, was being unlawfully held at the Montecarlo police station in Camagüey and accused of public disorder. News accounts initially reported that he would be processed for 96 hours for “various charges” though Fr. Castor was eventually released into the custody of Cuban Church officials around 3:30PM EDT on July 12, 2021.

□ UPDATE□First images of Father Castor after Cuba's Secret Police was forced to release him thanks to the efforts of liberty defenders & #Catholic Church leaders on the island. A video statement from Father Castor coming shortly. #Accountability @USCIRF @USEmbCuba @WHAAsstSecty pic.twitter.com/8sm0g65eD8
— The Global Liberty Alliance (@GLALegalDefense) July 12, 2021

GLA was able to obtain an exclusive photo following his release. Shortly after, Fr. Castor also issued a statement regarding the ordeal:

The Global Liberty Alliance will continue to monitor rule of law and other fundamental freedoms in Cuba and will defend these essential rights and freedoms for all.

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