January 21, 2025
Cubalex expresses its deep concern over the possible suspension of the release process announced by the Cuban government on January 14, in which it promised the gradual liberation of 553 sanctioned persons, generating expectations among the families of persons deprived of liberty for political reasons.
However, following the U.S. administration’s recent decision to revoke Cuba’s exclusion from the list of countries sponsoring terrorism, we have not received any new reports of people being released from prison. In addition, the Cuban government has not officially informed us whether the release process will continue, which increases uncertainty and concern among those affected and their families.
Commitment to the Vatican and Proclaimed Humanism
In its official statement, the Cuban government affirmed that this measure had been taken “in the spirit of the Ordinary Jubilee of 2025” and as part of “the close and fluid relations” with the Vatican. In light of this, Cubalex urges the Cuban state to honor its public commitment and demonstrate the “humanism” that it claims characterizes its criminal justice framework and penitentiary system.”
The uncertainty surrounding the continuation of the release process generates deep concern and highlights how the lives, freedom, and integrity of those deprived of liberty are being used as pawns in a political game between the Havana regime and Washington.
Persistant Omissions and Fundamental Concerns
Denial of the existence of political prisoners: Despite repeated statements from international organizations such as the Committee Against Torture, the Universal Periodic Review, and CEDAW, which recognize actions that criminalize and penalize the exercise of fundamental rights such as freedom of expression, assembly, and association as repressive, the Cuban government continues to deny the existence of political prisoners. This official discourse attempts to delegitimize international complaints, minimize the impact of human rights violations, and avoid international accountability. This generates fear that most of the people released from prison include those punished for common crimes, while the victims of political repression continue to be unjustly imprisoned.
Generating expectations without guarantees: It is unacceptable and macabre to create false hopes in the families of persons deprived of liberty. Cubalex has recorded cases in which the benefits granted in this process are not new concessions, but rights previously denied even though they met the legal requirements.
Lack of transparency: Monitoring conducted by Cubalex has identified troubling patterns in the releases. To date, we have recorded 172 beneficiaries, with an average age of 32 years, including 24 women, 147 men, and one person belonging to the LGBTIQ+ community. Among the beneficiaries, only three are over 60 years old. The complete and verified list is available on our website. Similarly, it is important to note that we do not know the total number of people who have been released due to the lack of transparency from the Cuban government. On January 16, the authorities announced that 127 people were released between Wednesday and Thursday, but without providing specific details or verifiable information.
Exclusion of civil society and victims: The process has not included the participation of civil society nor mechanisms to support the physical, psychological, and social rehabilitation of the released individuals. These measures are essential for those who have suffered inhumane detention conditions, which in many cases constitute torture.
Cubalex demands that the Cuban government fulfill its compromise to release all individuals detained for political reasons and ensure full respect for their fundamental rights. Likewise, we urge the international community to adopt a critical stance towards these actions, demanding concrete guarantees to protect the individuals who have been released.
Freedom should not be used as a bargaining chip or presented as a humanitarian gesture after years of unjustified suffering. Cubalex reaffirms its commitment to continue monitoring the process and denouncing any human rights violations.
The post Concern over the possible suspension of the release of political prisoners in Cuba appeared first on Cubalex.
Translated by Gustavo Loredo
