Amnesty International has called on the Cuban government to release seven political prisoners immediately and to halt all political detentions. The organization criticized the current release process for its lack of transparency and arbitrary conditions. This appeal, made on Monday, emphasizes the urgent need for reform in how Cuba handles political imprisonment.
The rights group identified each prisoner by name and stressed that many of them were incarcerated due to their participation in protests on July 11, 2021. These protests marked the largest public demonstrations in Cuba since the revolution in 1959. They were sparked by widespread dissatisfaction with government responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, shortages of food and medicine, and perceived violations of citizen rights.
In January 2025, the Cuban government agreed to release a number of political prisoners following negotiations with the Vatican. Most of those prisoners were linked to the protests of July 2021. Despite this commitment, Amnesty International reported that only 211 prisoners have been released since the agreement was made.
The organization has also highlighted that some of those released have faced ongoing retaliation, including forced exile or re-incarceration. Ana Piquer, the Regional Director for the Americas at Amnesty International, has advocated for the complete abolishment of political detentions in Cuba. She stated, “Most prisoners of concern were imprisoned due to their involvement in political dissent.”
Amnesty’s report sheds light on the broader implications of government actions in Cuba. Political detentions not only violate individual rights but also create an environment of fear. The lack of clear criteria for release processes adds to the uncertainty faced by prisoners and their families.
As the international community watches, the demand for justice and reform in Cuba grows stronger. Advocacy groups like Amnesty International continue to call for accountability and respect for human rights, urging the Cuban government to take meaningful steps towards addressing these critical issues.
