IACHR Ongoing Protection for José Daniel Ferrer
José Daniel Ferrer García is one of the Cuban pro-democracy leaders who has dedicated a significant part of his life to the fight for human rights. For over 30 years, he has been actively involved in advocating for democracy in Cuba. During this time, he has been arbitrarily detained on multiple occasions and has been a prisoner of conscience three times (in 2003, 2019, and 2021).
Currently, he is unjustly imprisoned in Mar Verde Prison in Santiago de Cuba and is considered a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International. According to reports from civil society, Ferrer is the political prisoner who has endured the most torture, spending the longest time in continuous isolation since the events of July 11th. Therefore, Democratic Spaces believes that any campaign or decision by an international organization to highlight his grave situation is of vital importance.
We applaud the decision of the IACHR to continue monitoring the precautionary measure initially filed on his behalf in November 2012.
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has decided to continue monitoring the precautionary measures granted to José Daniel Ferrer García on November 5, 2012, to protect his life and personal integrity.
Resolution 27/2024, issued on May 6, 2024, highlights Ferrer's current risks in prison, where he has been held since July 11, 2021: isolation, reported physical and psychological torture in appalling conditions, lack of access to medication, and the use of medical attention and medication as leverage by prison authorities, in addition to inadequate food. Urgent action is needed to address these grave violations of human rights.
IACHR - Requirements on the Cuban Government
The IACHR considers that a situation of risk continues to exist within the terms of Article 25 of the Regulations and has decided:
To continue monitoring the precautionary measures granted on November 5, 2012, in favor of protecting the life and personal integrity of Mr. José Daniel Ferrer García;
To require the State to implement the necessary measures to ensure that the detention conditions of the beneficiary comply with applicable international standards;
To request that the State adopt timely and appropriate health protection measures for the beneficiary;
To require the parties to agree on the measures to be implemented. This should include allowing representation to be aware of the detention conditions and well-being of the beneficiary, either through their family members or other representatives;
and To require the State to report on the actions taken to investigate the events that led to the adoption of this resolution and thus prevent their recurrence.
IACHR on Cuba’s government repressive waves since July 11, 2021
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) acknowledges the exponential increase in repression in Cuba since July 11, 2021. Since then, it has documented eight waves of repression by the State, characterized by:
Use of force and campaigns of intimidation and stigmatization.
Arbitrary detentions, mistreatment, and deplorable detention conditions.
Criminalization of protesters, judicial persecution, and violations of due process.
Closure of democratic spaces through repressive and intimidating strategies aimed at discouraging new social demonstrations.
Continuation of deprivation of liberty, trials without guarantees of due process, and high sentences.
Legislative proposals aimed at limiting, monitoring, and punishing dissenting expressions and criticisms of the government, as well as criminalizing the actions of independent civil society organizations.
Harassment of relatives of people detained and accused for their participation in the protests.
Deliberate cuts in internet access.
