The communist Castro dictatorship hoped that imprisoning and torturing Jose Daniel Ferrer would put an end to his resistance. Instead, the case of the brave Ferrer has become an even more painful thorn in their side.
Michael Lima Cuadra explains in Democratic Spaces:
José Daniel Ferrer: A Symbol of Resilience in Cuba’s Fight for Freedom
From DEMOCRATIC SPACES, we support the recent Habeas Corpus petition filed with the Cuban Supreme Court by Manuel Cuesta Morúa, Vice president of the Council for the Democratic Transition in Cuba on November 27, 2024. We worked closely with the Council on this project and view it as a moral duty to advocate for the release of José Daniel Ferrer and all political prisoners.
The Habeas Corpus procedure, prepared by legal counsel Julio Ferrer, demands the immediate release of political opponent and prisoner José Daniel Ferrer, who, according to reports from his family, recently suffered a “brutal beating” in prison. The petition, referenced as Case 177, asserts that Ferrer should have been released on August 13, 2024.
It highlights that his sentence calculation failed to account for the days he spent under provisional detention before sentencing and the period of limited freedom following his conviction. Consequently, the document argues, Ferrer is being subjected to illegal detention, making him eligible for Habeas Corpus relief under Cuban law.
Creativity, Resistance and Advocacy
In resistance struggles, creativity is a crucial component. Finding innovative ways to generate international pressure for a cause is essential. Despite the totalitarian regime in Cuba—where there is no separation of powers, the judiciary is subordinated to the interests of the ruling elite, the rule of law is nonexistent, and laws are interpreted for the regime’s convenience—it remains important to demonstrate, with evidence, that even under Cuban law, Ferrer’s continued imprisonment is unlawful.
No one should be deprived of their freedom for holding different opinions or exercising fundamental human rights, as is the case with José Daniel Ferrer and thousands of other political prisoners in Cuba.
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