MEXICO CITY, May 18 (EFE).- International civil organizations condemned the torture methods against demonstrators who participated in the historic protests on July 11, as well as the deaths of at least 100 prisoners in Cuba this Wednesday in “inhumane conditions”. 2021.
“Cuban prisons are characterized by overcrowding. We have documented the spread of diseases such as scabies, and the pandemic has made the problem worse. At least 100 people have died in prisons in inhumane conditions,” said researcher José Gallego of the Cubalex association.
With the recommendations of the United Nations Committee Against Torture, which reviewed the situation on the island last month, the organizations presented the report “Torture Is Committed in Cuba” in Mexico City under the auspices of Article 19.
Spain-based Prisoners Defenders has documented between 1,500 and 2,000 defendants, in addition to more than 1,000 people in ongoing criminal cases, for participating in historic demonstrations against the government of President Miguel Diaz-Canel in July last year.
“On July 11, the world saw the true nature of the Cuban regime. People took to the streets not knowing that it could mean 10 to 30 years in prison,” said Javier Larrondo, head of Prisoners Defenders.
The report reveals what happened after the strongest protests in Cuba since the so-called “Maleconazo” in August 1994, which resulted in the island facing a pandemic and food shortages, drug shortages and an economic and health crisis at its worst. and core products.
Cubalex has identified 14 methods of torture for detainees during detentions, including denial, physical violence and threats, pepper spray, hands from behind in tight handcuffs, exposure to high temperatures in vehicles and abandonment in empty spaces.
During interrogations, crimes due to exposure to cold, threats, poor cell conditions and skin colour, physical appearance and sexual orientation were also recorded.
Finally, he found cases of forced nudity, denied access to sanitary pads, denial of medical care, and beatings in detention centres.
“The report presented by this Committee condemns human rights violations in the context of the protest. It also condemns the lack of independence of prosecutors and the increasing criminalization of dissidents,” said Olga Guzman Vergara, World Organization Latin America adviser. Torture.
The associations asked the Cuban government to adopt the recommendations of the UN Committee, such as the creation of an autonomous national institution to defend human rights and guarantee the independence of prosecutors.
“In this report, we see how the Cuban State has not failed to activate the institutional mechanism to silence voices trying to inform the public.
source: Noticias
