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The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has once again pointed out the Cuban regime as a government that maintains a systematic policy of repression and censorship against its citizens, according to its most recent annual report that analyzes events that occurred during 2024.
In this document, the CIDH details serious violations of human rights, particularly related to freedom of expression, the repression of activists, human rights defenders, and journalists.
The report, which consists of over 1,200 pages, addresses the situation of human rights in each of the countries in the Americas, but it dedicates a special chapter to Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, where it has observed not progress but rather a deterioration of fundamental rights.
“These are the issues that have concerned us for a long time, and yet the situation has not changed,” stated Andrea Pochak, the Vice President of the CIDH, to the Associated Press (AP). “The levels of violence, human rights violations, and the weakness of democracy continue to persist.”
The IACHR is an autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), dedicated to monitoring and promoting respect for human rights in the Americas.
Your report provides a comprehensive overview of the regional situation, and although it does not carry legal weight, its assessments and recommendations are embraced by government officials, civic organizations, and judges when making decisions.
The chapter dedicated to Cuba outlines how the island remains under a single-party model, the Communist Party (PCC), which maintains absolute control over the political and social institutions of the country.
Among other concerns of the IACHR are state control of the media and restrictions on internet access. Furthermore, the report highlights the lack of judicial independence and the subordination of the courts to political power.
Regarding precautionary measures, the IACHR has granted protection to multiple human rights defenders, activists, and journalists facing harassment, persecution, and arbitrary detentions in Cuba. These measures aim to safeguard their physical integrity and ensure their right to freedom of expression.
The IACHR also indicates that the conditions of prisons in Cuba are deplorable, with reports of overcrowding, torture, lack of medical care, and forced labor. These facts, according to the report, represent a massive and systematic violation of human rights in the country.
The Commission has urged the Cuban government to implement urgent reforms that ensure respect for the fundamental rights of its citizens and has reiterated its commitment to continuously monitor the situation.
The CIDH has maintained a constant watch on the human rights situation in Cuba. In 2020, it presented a report dedicated entirely to the island, which analyzed the period from 2017 to 2019, marking the first time in 37 years that the Commission exclusively addressed Cuba.
For that report, the Commission did not receive permission from the Cuban Government to visit the country, therefore it interviewed people who had lived there during the three analyzed years and consulted reports from both state-run and independent media, as well as research from international organizations and local civil society.
For this reason, in the 2024 report, they highlighted that they continued to monitor the human rights situation in Cuba and noted that “the main concerns outlined in the report persisted and worsened over the past few years.”
Frequently Asked Questions about the Human Rights Situation in Cuba
What does the CIDH accuse the Cuban regime of in its annual report?
The IACHR accuses the Cuban regime of maintaining a systematic policy of repression and censorship against its citizens, highlighting serious human rights violations, particularly regarding freedom of expression and the repression of activists and journalists. The report emphasizes the lack of judicial independence and the state control of the media.
What is the current situation of political prisoners in Cuba?
Currently, Cuba holds 1,150 political prisoners, according to Prisoners Defenders. This includes minors and individuals with serious health conditions. The Cuban regime has been criticized for systematically denying these prisoners access to penitentiary benefits.
How does the CIDH describe the situation of prisons in Cuba?
The IACHR describes the conditions of prisons in Cuba as deplorable, highlighting problems of overcrowding, torture, lack of medical attention, and forced labor. These conditions represent a massive and systematic violation of human rights.
What repressive actions did OCDH document in Cuba in January 2025?
The OCDH documented at least 152 repressive actions in January 2025, including arbitrary detentions and abuses against political prisoners and their families. These actions reflect the increase in surveillance and harassment by the Cuban regime.
What does the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights recommend to the Cuban government in its report?
The IACHR recommends that the Cuban government implement urgent reforms to ensure respect for the fundamental rights of its citizens. The Commission urges an improvement in the human rights situation and has reiterated its commitment to continuously monitor the situation.
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