Aniette Gonzalez: Silenced Activism

On March 26, 2024, the Provincial Court of Camagüey, consisting of Maydel Yadró Hernández, Yaneisy Estrada Robles (Ponente Judge), and Belkis Miranda Pérez, denied Aniette González's appeal, represented by her defense attorney Yanisdey Cruz, against her unjust three-year sentence for the alleged crime of "Offense against national symbols.”

At Democratic Spaces, we strongly condemn the ongoing criminalization of peaceful protests in Cuba, and the denial of the appeal filed by Cuban activist Aniette Gonzalez against her unjust three-year prison sentence for the fabricated crime of "Offense against National Symbols."

This egregious act represents a blatant violation of the fundamental right to freedom of expression and artistic freedom.

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Denial of Appeal. March 26, 2024. Photos above courtesy of Cuban journalist José Luis Tan Estrada. / Twitter.

Ms. González García was arrested in March 2023 for participating in the "La bandera es de todos" (The Flag Belongs to Everyone) initiative, showing solidarity with the detained artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara during the historic protests on July 11, 2021. This arbitrary action resembles previous cases involving individuals such as Olena Shevchenko, a Ukrainian human rights activist, and Evan Mawarire, a Zimbabwean pastor, both charged with "Offense against national symbols" in their respective countries.

It is important to note that legal measures like Article 269 of the Cuban Penal Code, which criminalize alleged desecration of national symbols, contradict fundamental principles of freedom of expression, artistic freedom, and international human rights laws.

Moreover, such actions violate the "Johannesburg Principles on National Security, Freedom of Expression, and Access to Information Article 19," particularly Principle 7.C, which emphasizes that:

"No one may be punished for criticizing or insulting the nation, the state or its symbols, the government, its agencies, or public officials, or a foreign nation, state or its symbols, government, agency or public official unless the criticism or insult was intended and likely to incite imminent violence."

Given these circumstances, we stand with various human rights organizations in demanding the immediate and unconditional release of Aniette González García and all political prisoners. It is crucial to uphold the fundamental rights of freedom of expression and artistic liberty and protect individuals who peacefully advocate for social change. Democratic Spaces remains steadfast in its commitment to promoting a world where these basic human rights are respected and upheld without compromise.