While the communist Castro dictatorship campaigns for a seat on the UN Human Rights Council, repression in Cuba continues unabated with a total of 318 oppressive acts documented in the month of September. Of course, this is only the repression that could be verified, so the number is likely to be much, much higher.
OCDH documents 318 acts of repression in September
The Cuban Observatory of Human Rights (OCDH) recorded at least 318 repressive actions against activists, political prisoners, and the civilian population during the recently concluded month of September, of which 88 were arbitrary detentions and 230 were classified as other abuses.
Among the most frequent violations documented by the NGO are the siege of the homes of human rights activists and opposition members, abuses against political prisoners in jails, cuts to phone and internet services, threats, harassment, fines, and police summons.
OCDH drew attention to a prosecutor’s requests for up to 15 years in prison against fifteen citizens who protested peacefully in August 2022 in the city of Nuevitas, Camagüey province.
In this context, the organization deemed the human rights situation in the Caribbean country as “worrisome” and warned that, despite the ongoing violations, Havana aspires to a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council.
“The human rights situation in Cuba continues to be worrisome, as is the absence of international criticism of Cuban authorities. The regime on the island aspires to a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council, which the democratic community should consistently reject. Likewise, we are awaiting the announced visit to Cuba by the special representative for human rights of the European Union, Eamon Gilmore,” stated the NGO based in Madrid, Spain.
The 318 repressive actions counted by the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights in September were nearly double those in July, where 164 were reported.
OCDH reminded that through its platform, citizens on the island can report abuses such as unjustified fines, detentions, persecution, threats by an authority. The organization also sheds light on cases of social neglect such as substandard housing, lack of medicines, or problems with water services. Likewise, those who have been victims of labor problems, unjustified expulsions, sanctions due to differences in opinion, wage theft, etc., can report their situation.