The Cuban Observatory for Human Rights (OCDH) reported on Tuesday that at least 418 repressive actions against civilians took place in Cuba during the month of July. This includes 70 arbitrary arrests and 145 illegal home detentions, marking a significant increase in repression during the month that commemorated the third anniversary of the island's largest protests in the past 60 years, according to the organization's monthly report.
Additionally, 72 cases of abuse by prison authorities against political prisoners, and nine similar cases against common inmates, were recorded. The OCDH detailed that July was the most repressive month of the year, as the Cuban regime intensified its actions to prevent any initiatives that would commemorate the anniversary of the July 11, 2021 protests.
"Evidently, the regime deployed a series of repressive actions so that people would not celebrate or remember in any way the third anniversary of the 2021 protests," commented Yaxis Cires, Director of Strategies at the organization, in an interview with Martí Noticias.
Types of Repressive Actions Documented
Other repressive actions documented by the OCDH included threats, police summons, harassment, fines, spurious judicial processes, and violations of religious rights. The provinces with the highest levels of governmental repression were Havana, Matanzas, and Mayabeque.
The OCDH also reported 40 complaints related to violations of social rights, most of which were connected to the shortage of medications and housing issues. Recently, the OCDH presented the VII Report on the State of Social Rights in Cuba 2024, revealing alarming statistics about the island's reality. For instance, "89% of Cuban families suffer from extreme poverty," a one percentage point increase from last year and a 13% increase from 2022.
One of the most significant findings is that "7 out of 10 Cubans have had to skip breakfast, lunch, or dinner due to lack of money or food shortages."
FAQs on Cuban Repressive Actions in July
In light of the recent report by the OCDH, here are some frequently asked questions and answers to provide more context on the repressive actions in Cuba.
What types of repressive actions were documented in July?
The OCDH documented at least 418 repressive actions, including 70 arbitrary arrests, 145 illegal home detentions, threats, police summons, harassment, fines, spurious judicial processes, and violations of religious rights.
Which provinces experienced the most governmental repression?
The provinces with the highest levels of governmental repression were Havana, Matanzas, and Mayabeque.
What does the VII Report on the State of Social Rights in Cuba reveal?
The report reveals that 89% of Cuban families suffer from extreme poverty and that 7 out of 10 Cubans have had to skip meals due to lack of money or food shortages.