• Human Rights in Cuba

    Since 2011, the Cuban government has relied less on long-term prison sentences to punish dissent and has relaxed draconian travel restrictions that divided families and prevented its critics from leaving and returning to the island. Nevertheless, the Cuban government continues to repress individuals and groups who criticize the government or call for basic human rights. Officials employ a range of tactics to punish dissent and instill fear in the public, including beatings, public acts of shaming, termination of employment, and threats of long-term imprisonment. 

  • Raúl Castro speaks at a rally in Camagüey, Cuba, in July 2007, a year after being handed power by his ailing brother, Fidel Castro (depicted in the bas-relief in the foreground).

    © 2007 Jose Goitia/The New York Times/Redux Pictures
    World Report 2014: Cuba

    In 2010 and 2011, Cuba’s government released dozens of political prisoners on condition they accept exile in exchange for freedom. Since then, it has relied less on long-term prison sentences to punish dissent and has relaxed draconian travel restrictions that divided families and prevented its critics from leaving and returning to the island. 

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Cuba

  • Lifting the Embargo Means Cuba Can No Longer Play Victim
    Dec 19, 2014
  • US/Cuba: Obama’s New Approach to Cuba
    Dec 18, 2014
    President Barack Obama’s historic decision to overhaul US policy toward Cuba is a crucial step toward removing a major obstacle to progress on human rights on the island.
  • Universal Periodic Review: HRW Submission on Cuba
    Apr 18, 2013
    Cuba remains the only country in Latin America that represses virtually all forms of political dissent. In 2012 the government of Raúl Castro continued to enforce political conformity using short-term detentions, beatings, public acts of repudiation, travel restrictions, and forced exile. During its first UPR review, Cuba rejected all recommendations addressing the arbitrary detentions of political prisoners, the lack of protection of human rights defenders, and restrictions on freedom of expression. Since then, Human Rights Watch has continued documenting cases of serious abuses of these rights.
  • Cuba: On the Death of the Dissident Oswaldo Payá
    Jul 23, 2012

    Human Rights Watch issued the following statement on the death on July 22, 2012 of the Cuban dissident Oswaldo Payá, founder of the Varela Project, which challenged the government to undertake democratic reforms.

  • Cuba: Halt Repression in Advance of Pope’s Visit
    Mar 23, 2012
    The Cuban government should immediately halt repression aimed at silencing dissent before and during Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to Cuba.
  • Cuba: Dissident’s Death Highlights Repressive Tactics
    Jan 20, 2012
    The death of the 31-year-old dissident Wilman Villar Mendoza on January 19, 2012 following a 50-day hunger strike highlights the ongoing repression in Cuba. The Cuban government should immediately put an end to the threats against his wife, Maritza Pelegrino Cabrales, and the group Damas de Blanco (Ladies in White), which supports her, and drop any measures that would prevent her and dissidents from attending Villar Mendoza’s funeral.
  • US Congress: Protect Cuban Americans’ Right to Visit Family
    Dec 15, 2011
    The US Congress should not approve rules to restrict the right of Cuban Americans to visit relatives on the island.
  • Cuba: Letter to US House Appropriations Committee
    Jun 22, 2011
    Human Rights Watch would like to reiterate its support for OFAC travel regulations that allow for “purposeful travel” to Cuba by academic, religious, and cultural groups, as well as for regulations that allow Cuban Americans to travel freely to Cuba and send remittances to their families on the island.
  • Cuba: Stop Imprisoning Peaceful Dissidents
    Jun 1, 2011
    The conviction of six dissidents in summary trials for doing no more than exercising their fundamental rights highlights the continuing abuse of the criminal justice system to repress dissent in Cuba. Raúl Castro's government should immediately release the prisoners, who were given sentences ranging from two to five years in prison, and cease all politically motivated repression against Cubans who exercise their fundamental freedoms.
  • Cuba: Stop Arbitrary Arrests of Dissidents
    Feb 23, 2011
    The Cuban government should immediately and unconditionally release the human rights defenders, journalists, and other dissidents who have been arbitrarily detained in the last two days, including those under house arrest.
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