Amnesty International has called for the immediate release of seven political prisoners in Cuba and urged the government to end political detentions altogether. The rights organization criticized the Cuban government’s approach to political detentions, highlighting a lack of transparency and clear criteria in the release process.
In a statement released on October 23, 2023, Ana Piquer, the Regional Director of the Americas for Amnesty International, emphasized that many of these prisoners were detained due to their involvement in protests on July 11, 2021. These demonstrations marked the largest public outcry in Cuba since the 1959 revolution, serving as a response to the government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, shortages of food and medicine, and a perceived erosion of citizens’ rights.
Despite a promise from the Cuban government in January 2025 to release a significant number of prisoners linked to the July 2021 protests, Amnesty reported that only 211 individuals have been freed under these conditions. The organization also noted that some of those released have faced retaliation, including forced exile or re-incarceration.
The situation in Cuba reflects ongoing concerns about human rights and freedom of expression in the country. Amnesty International continues to advocate for the abolishment of political detentions and urges the international community to pay attention to these human rights violations.
The organization’s statement underscores the need for accountability and a commitment to upholding the rights of all citizens, as political repression remains a critical issue in Cuba.
