Free Jose Daniel Ferrer and all Cuban political prisoners

Pro democracy leader & Cuban prisoner of conscience José Daniel Ferrer García, wrongfully imprisoned since July 11, 2021 and sentenced to 4 and a half years in prison has been subjected to the most brutal tortures, aiming to slowly kill him or force him into exile. He has endured extreme isolation, sonic attacks, lack of medical attention, beatings, and has been denied conjugal visits 15 times. He hasn't been allowed even a phone call with his family for a year, and the repression extends to his wife, Dr. Nelva Ortega Tamayo, who has been subjected to house arrest and threatened with detention if she publicly denounces the denial of visits to her husband.

Trudeau debe reconsiderar su política exterior hacia Cuba

Desde que el primer ministro Justin Trudeau asumió el cargo en 2015, la política exterior de Canadá hacia Cuba ha estado marcada por la incoherencia y la falta de acción en la defensa de los derechos humanos de un pueblo al que el gobierno canadiense considera "amigo." A pesar de que el primer ministro Trudeau afirma defender la democracia en otras partes del mundo, como Venezuela, Bielorrusia, Ucrania y otros países, su gobierno no mantiene el mismo rasero cuando se trata de Cuba.

Democratic Spaces Support for European Parliament Joint Motion for Resolution on the critical human rights situation in Cuba

Without pressure, there is no change. That's why I consider the recent joint motion for a European Parliament resolution on the critical human rights situation in Cuba presented in the European Parliament with 285 votes in favor, 172 against, and 46 abstentions, approved on February 29, 2024, to be of great importance. This motion for an EU resolution calls for targeted sanctions (Magnitsky style) against the handpicked president, Miguel Díaz-Canel, and the main perpetrators of serious human rights violations in Cuba.

Michael LimaMarch 3, 2024Comment

Trudeau must change its policy on Cuba, which is leveraged by China, Russia, Iran

Canada's foreign policy on the Cuban regime needs reevaluation in light of unprecedented levels of repression in Cuba since July 2021. As China, Russia, and Iran leverage Cuba, Ottawa prioritizes trade over human rights & democracy. Since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took office in 2015, Canada's foreign policy towards Cuba has been marked by inconsistency and a lack of action in defending the human rights of a people whom the Canadian government considers "friends." Despite Trudeau's claims to defend democracy in other parts of the world, such as Venezuela, Belarus, Ukraine, his government does not uphold the same standard when it comes to Cuba.

Las Notificaciones Rojas de INTERPOL como arma de persecusion politica del regimen cubano

Democratic Spaces, una ONG canadiense de derechos humanos que apoya el derecho soberano de toda persona a participar en la resistencia pacífica contra toda forma de opresión en Cuba y en cualquier otro lugar, condena enérgicamente el uso distorsionado que el régimen cubano hace del sistema de notificaciones rojas de INTERPOL. Esta manipulación tiene por objeto perseguir, detener, encarcelar, difamar, restringir la libertad de circulación y silenciar a los críticos a escala mundial. Consideramos que se trata de un claro ejemplo de represión transnacional, una táctica empleada sistemáticamente por los gobiernos autoritarios para reprimir la disidencia más allá de sus fronteras, especialmente dentro de las comunidades de la diáspora y el exilio.

Michael LimaFebruary 8, 2024Comment

The Cuban Regime's Weaponization of INTERPOL's Red Notices

Democratic Spaces, a Canadian human rights NGO that supports the sovereign right of every individual to engage in peaceful resistance against all forms of oppression in Cuba and elsewhere, strongly condemns the Cuban regime's distorted use of INTERPOL's Red Notice system. This manipulation aims to persecute, arrest, imprison, defame, restrict freedom of movement, and silence critics globally. We view this as a clear instance of transnational repression, a tactic systematically employed by authoritarian governments to suppress dissent beyond their borders, especially within diaspora and exile communities.

Michael LimaFebruary 8, 2024Comment

Cubans: The Real Story. What about Canada?

On November 21, 2023 Michael Lima, Director of Democratic Spaces presented a paper on the human rights situation in Cuba, and the regime’s alliances with Russia and China with a special focus on the urgent need for Canada to reformulate its foreign policy on Cuba. The paper offered key recommendations for Canada to help advance human rights in Cuba.

Democratic Spaces Stands With Israel

Democratic Spaces, a Canadian NGO dedicated to championing democracy and human rights in Cuba, issues a resolute condemnation of the recent terrorist assault by Hamas on Israel. We grieve the heartbreaking loss of innocent lives in these inexplicable acts of violence. At this challenging juncture, we extend unwavering solidarity to the people of Israel, conveying our heartfelt condolences to the grieving families.

Michael LimaOctober 9, 2023Comment

Call on Canada to deny the Cuban regime a seat on the UN Human Rights Council.

Democratic Spaces calls on Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly and Canada's Ambassadors and Permanent Representatives to the United Nations in New York and Geneva, Bob Rae and Leslie E. Norton to deny Cuba a seat at the Human Rights Council as its regime is responsible for gross human rights abuses.

Michael Lima, Director of Democratic Spaces, met with MP Tony Baldinelli.

As part of the visibility and advocacy campaign carried out by the Canadian NGO Democratic Spaces in support of the release of José Daniel Ferrer García and all conscience prisoners in Cuba, Michael Lima, Director of Democratic Spaces met with MP Tony Baldinelli.

Michael LimaAugust 18, 2023Comment

LIBEREN A JOSE DANIEL FERRER, PRISIONERO DE CONCIENCIA CUBANO

Al cumplirse tres meses desde que el 17 de marzo de 2023 el Arzobispo de Santiago de Cuba Dionisio García Ibáñez vIera por última vez con vida al Prisionero de Conciencia y líder prodemocrático cubano, José Daniel Ferrer, publicamos esta carta dirigida a los gobiernos democráticos, organizaciones de derechos humanos y legisladores de Canadá y de todo el mundo pidiendo fe de vida y apoyo para presionar por su liberación inmediata e incondicional.

Michael LimaJune 17, 2023Comment

ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCE OF JOSÉ DANIEL FERRER CUBAN PRISONER OF CONSCIENCE

Open letter submitted by Democratic Spaces along with the Council for the Democratic Transition of Cuba and the Patriotic Union of Cuba demanding proof of life of José Daniel Ferrer after three months of enforced disappearance. We call for his immediate and unconditional release along with all Cuban political prisoners

EBRAHIM RAISI, RESPONSIBLE FOR CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY, TO ARRIVE IN CUBA

Ebrahim Raisi, a hardline cleric and autocratic leader, known as the President of Iran, a country where elections lack any democratic resemblance, is scheduled to visit Cuba on June 14th and 15th. This visit is part of a tour that includes stops in the three dictatorships of the Americas: Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua.

Michael LimaJune 13, 2023Comment

CUBAN DICTATORSHIP HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ASSASSINATION OF OSWALDO PAYÁ AND HAROLD CEPERO

Democratic Spaces applauds the decision of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) to hold the Cuban dictatorship accountable for the brutal killings of Oswaldo Payá and Harold Cepero, pro-democracy leaders. This landmark decision by the IACHR serves as a powerful reminder of the pivotal role organizations like Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights play in advancing justice and defending the rights of the oppressed. Their unwavering advocacy empowers the voiceless and instills hope in those fighting for freedom

FREE JOSE DANIEL FERRER, CUBAN PRISONER OF CONSCIENCE

DEMOCRATIC SPACES LAUNCHES A campaign for the release of José Daniel Ferrer García, Cuban prisoner of conscience., a name of courage, resilience, and unwavering determination. Imprisoned for his fight for democracy and human rights in Cuba, he endures relentless cruelty and brutality. Let us raise our voices, demand his release, and fight for the liberation of all political prisoners. Stand with José Daniel, a symbol of hope and resistance against oppression. Together, let's break the chains of injustice and restore freedom in Cuba.

Michael LimaJune 10, 2023Comment

ALLIANCE OF OPPRESSION: CUBA AND CHINA'S THREAT TO GLOBAL DEMOCRACY

At Democratic Spaces, we condemn any alliance between the dictatorships of China and Cuba, as well as alliances with Russia and other dictatorial regimes globally. These alliances serve to enable dictatorships to exchange information on how to effectively bolster their hold on power. They pose an imminent threat to the security of the United States and other democraci

FIDEL CASTRO SUPPORTED THE TIANANMEN SQUARE MASSACRE

Cuban dictator Fidel Castro enthusiastically supported the decision of the Communist Party of China to massacre countless people across Beijing on June 4. 1989. His support marked the beginning of relations between China and Cuba in the post Tiananmen era.

MAJOR JULIO FONSECA, HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSER IN SANTIAGO DE CUBA

Major Julio Fonseca, is one of the perpetrators and human rights abusers working at Section 21 of the Cuban Interior Ministry that for years has been assigned to surveil, beat and intimidate José Daniel Ferrer García, a pro democracy leader and Prisoner of Conscience as well as his family and other UNPACU activists. He is known as the Women Abuser of Santiago de Cuba.

CUBA'S LADIES IN WHITE 20 YEARS MARCHING FOR THE RELEASE OF ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS

Cuba’s Ladies in White, peaceful struggle for the release of all political prisoners on the 20th anniversary of their foundation on March 30, 2003.

NIKOLAI PATRUSHEV'S VISIT TO CUBA: A REMINDER OF THE CUBAN REGIME'S ALLIANCE WITH PUTIN IN THE WAR AGAINST UKRAINE

Nikolai Patrushev is Vladimir Putin’s closest ally and a key member of the autocrat’s inner circle. He served as Director of the Federal Security Services (FSB) from 1999 to 2008 and ever since he has been Secretary of Russian Security Council. Patrushev was instrumental in Putin’s rise to power in 1999. His visit to Cuba is a reminder that the Cuban dictatorship is Putin’s key ally in the war against Ukraine and an enemy of global democracy. Patrushev’s visit to Cuba’s Interior Ministry headquarters reinforces the argument that dictatorships exchange repressive methods to cling on to power.

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