Freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) is being “systematically violated”, “weaponised and used as a coercion and punishment tactic” in Cuba’s prisons, according to a new report.
The study, which was undertaken by Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) and featured interviews with 181 prisoners being held across five areas, found that conditions for religious prisoners have deteriorated in recent years, following limited improvements during the 2010s.
Prisoners who affiliate with various religions are often refused the right to visitation from their religious leaders, while many are not allowed to pray, engage in organised worship with other inmates, wear religious clothing or possess religious literature, including Bibles.
The report revealed that prisoners who engage in such activities often experience persecution, with Ministry of the Interior (MININT) documentation refusing religious visits describing FoRB as a “benefit” which can be withdrawn, rather than a right, used to promote cooperation with the authorities. CSW describe this as being in contradiction with the Nelson Mandela Rules, which include protection of FoRB for prisoners.
CSW used the report to call on the Cuban government to ensure that the Nelson Mandela Rules are fully implemented in all prisons and that all rights in relation to FoRB are restored to inmates accordingly. It also asked the United Nations and other international governments to urge Cuban state officials to take steps to rectify the situation.
CSW’s Director of Advocacy Anna Lee Stangl those told en: “The experience of locked up inside Cuba’s penitentiary system is largely invisible, despite the fact that they likely make up at least 1% of the entire population.
“In recent years, the government has responded to widespread public discontent due to critical shortages and its repressive policies by putting even more people behind bars. In a penitentiary system which aims to silence and break people, it is no surprise that freedom of religion or belief is intentionally, systematically violated.”
