Democratic Spaces Condemns the 3-Year Sentence of Cuban Activist Aniette González García

Photo: Cuban activist Aniette González was detained on March 22, 2024 in Camagüey for sharing images of herself wrapped in the Cuban flag. (Facebook)

Democratic Spaces Joins Human Rights Groups in Condemning the 3-Year Sentence of Cuban Activist Aniette González García

[Ontario, CANADA, February 4. 2024] - Democratic Spaces stands in solidarity with human rights groups to express our unequivocal condemnation of the recent three-year prison sentence imposed on Cuban activist Aniette González García. Ms. González García was detained in March of last year after participating in the "La bandera es de todos" (The Flag Belongs to Everyone) initiative, showing support for the detained artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara during the historic protests on July 11, 2021.

Court ruling sentencing Cuban activist Aniette González García to 3 years in prison over the charge of "ultraje a los símbolos patrios." Photo courtesy of Cuban journalist José Luis Tan Estrada.

This arbitrary action draws parallels to previous cases involving individuals such as Olena Shevchenko, a Ukrainian human rights activist, and Evan Mawarire, a Zimbabwean pastor. Both faced charges of "offending the national symbols" of their respective nations. Legal measures like Article 269 of the Cuban Penal Code, which criminalizes the alleged desecration of national symbols, contradict the fundamental principles of freedom of expression, artistic freedom, and international human rights laws. Furthermore, such actions run afoul of the "Johannesburg Principles on National Security, Freedom of Expression, and Access to Information

Article 19," specifically 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.”

In light of these circumstances, we join forces with various human rights organizations in calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Aniette González García and all political prisoners. It is imperative to uphold the fundamental rights of freedom of expression, artistic liberty, and protect individuals who peacefully advocate for social change. Democratic Spaces remains committed to promoting a world where these basic human rights are respected and upheld without compromise.