José Daniel Ferrer: Excarcerated and Unyielding in the Fight for Freedom

Democratic Spaces celebrates the excarceration of José Daniel Ferrer García, a larger-than-life figure, a symbol of resistance, courage, and perseverance in the peaceful, steadfast, and determined struggle for democracy in Cuba—a cause to which he has dedicated 30 years of his life. Since Sunday, July 11, 2021, we have taken great pride in contributing our part to make his plight visible to the world, calling on the Government of Canada and other democratic nations for his release. Through hundreds of campaigns, we have demanded proof of life and justice for him.

José Daniel Ferrer should never have been imprisoned. His detention on July 11, 2021, along with his imprisonment during the Black Spring from 2003 to 2011, constitutes unjust and arbitrary acts that violate fundamental human rights. Exercising these rights is not a crime; it is an inherent condition of our humanity and must be respected.

We strongly condemn the brutality of his imprisonment. For more than three and a half years, José Daniel was subjected to extreme isolation, physical and psychological torture, denial of medical care, beatings, and the systematic deprivation of family visits. These abuses not only violate his rights but also those of his family, who have endured cruel and inhumane repression.

We demand his immediate and unconditional release. He completed his sentence several months ago; therefore, his continued imprisonment is illegal, immoral, and arbitrary.

From a human perspective, we celebrate that José Daniel and more than a dozen other Cubans have been released and can reunite with their families. However, from the standpoint of rights and freedoms, we reiterate our urgent call for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners and the decriminalization of dissent in Cuba.

Freedom cannot be conditional. The current releases are merely a form of imprisonment without bars, where "good behavior" rules are imposed. In practice, this means that anyone exercising their right to freedom of expression can be sent back to prison to serve the remainder of their sentence.

We are convinced that José Daniel Ferrer, as he has tirelessly demonstrated, will not renounce his right to continue peacefully fighting for the triumph of democracy and the rule of law in Cuba. Political prisoners are not bargaining chips; they are human beings whose rights must be fully restored.

We reiterate our call to dismantle the institutions, laws, and repressive practices that violate human rights in Cuba. Furthermore, we demand an end to the "revolving door" effect of repression, where political prisoners are released only to have others imprisoned. We insist on the approval of our Amnesty and Decriminalization of Dissent Law as an essential step toward ensuring the unconditional release of all political prisoners and the construction of a free and democratic Cuba.

Democratic Spaces will continue to raise its voice until fundamental rights and freedoms become a reality for all Cubans.