Cuba
Wednesday 25.8.2021 Cuba - Latest Developments -
Cuba: New legislation enables further control over online content, restricting freedom of expression
Cuban and international civil society organisations reiterated their concern over increased repression in the country one month after the anti-government demonstrations of 11th July 2021 (11J). In addition, on 17th August 2021, Cuba’s official diary Gaceta Oficial published the Decree-Law 35/2021 on Telecommunications, Information and Communication Technologies, and the Use of the Radio Spectrum. Read more | Read in Spanish
Thursday 29.7.2021 Cuba - Latest Developments -
Fear and self-censorship in Cuba following mass anti-government protests
After anti-government protests flared up across Cuba on 11th July 2021, rights group Cubalex reported that over 500 people had been detained or were reported missing in the context of the demonstrations. Read more | Read in Spanish
Thursday 15.7.2021 Cuba - Latest Developments -
Widespread anti-government protests across Cuba
On 11th July 2021, thousands of people joined spontaneous anti-government protests in at least 20 cities across Cuba. News outlets reported that these were the largest demonstrations seen in the country in decades. Read more | Read in Spanish
Monday 17.5.2021 Cuba - Latest Developments -
Hospitalisation of artist on hunger strike and increased repression of activists in Cuba
At the end of April 2021, artist and human rights defender Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara started a hunger strike in protest against continued harassment against him and members of Movimiento San Isidro (MSI). Read more
Thursday 11.3.2021 Cuba - Latest Developments -
Cuba reacts swiftly to popular song criticising revolution
In February 2021, a song criticising Cuba’s situation went viral on social media and elicited a strong reaction from the government. “Patria y Vida” by Cuban artists Yotuel Romero, Descemer Bueno, Gente de Zona, Maykel Osorbo and El Funky touches on socio-political issues in the country, with lyrics condemning the Cuban revolution and government. Read more | Read in Spanish
Friday 15.1.2021 Cuba - Latest Developments -
Cuban government backtracks on talks with protesters and uses COVID-19 regulations to harass critics
As previously reported on the CIVICUS Monitor, in November 2020 the arrest of musician Denis Solís González led artists and activists with Movimiento San Isidro to mobilise for his release. On 26th November 2020, the Cuban authorities raided the movement’s headquarters and detained 14 activists who had been on hunger strike for several days. Read more | Read in Spanish
Friday 27.11.2020 Cuba - Latest Developments -
Cuban rapper Denis Solís of Movimiento San Isidro imprisoned; several artists on hunger strike
85 civil society organisations expressed their concern at Cuba’s re-election to a fifth term on the UN Human Rights Council on 13th October 2020. For the organisations, this not only rewards Cuba’s poor human rights record, but it also undermines the integrity of the Council to hold abusive governments accountable for their actions in the region and across the globe. Read more | Read in Spanish
Thursday 17.9.2020 Cuba - Latest Developments -
Protest against police killing suppressed in Cuba and Sunflower Uprising proceeds despite repression
Several political dissidents and protesters were detained for supporting and participating in activities of a peaceful day of protest, the “Revolución de los Girasoles” (“Sunflower Uprising”) convened on 8th September 2020 by Unión Patriótica de Cuba (UNPACU). Read more | Read in Spanish
Wednesday 10.6.2020 Cuba - Latest Developments -
Cuba cracking down on dissent using internet regulation and COVID-19 pretence
Cuban news media, social movements and human rights organisations have denounced that the government has continued to crackdown on dissent, repress freedoms and silence critical voices during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since March 2020, there have been several reports of activists and journalists being detained or harassed, particularly through police citations, summons and interrogations. At least 30 people have been subjected to harassment from state actors under Decree 370, which has been used to supress freedom of expression in the country. Read more
Monday 6.4.2020 Cuba - Latest Developments -
Cuban artist detained for his work and declared prisoner of conscience
At the end of March 2020, the Cuban government announced a series of measures to promote social distancing and contain the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country. The policies adopted included mandatory quarantine for travellers, movement restrictions and closing borders to non-residents. Read more