Category: Cuba

FoRB on the Frontlines: “Everyone’s hatred was ever present”

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In several Latin American countries, religious leaders often take on the roles of community leader and human rights defender. As a result, these leaders often face harassment, intimidation and even violence at the hands of state and non-state actors. Over the past few weeks CSW has been presenting interviews with religious leaders working in the region to highlight their experiences on the frontlines of freedom of religion or belief.

Yilber is a Protestant pastor based in Cuba.

“I have received so many threats in my life as a Christian that there are, honestly, too many to count. This is something I want to describe, and to do this I won’t rely on generalisations or abstract, subjective examples, I will expose the scars borne by my family ever since we left our town to do pastoral work.

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En la línea del fuego frente a la LdRC: “El odio de toda la gente estaba presente.”

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En algunos países latinoamericanos, líderes religiosos frecuentemente desempeñan papeles como líderes comunitarios y defensores de los derechos humanos. Como resultado, estos líderes se enfrentan al acoso, la intimidación e incluso la violencia en las manos de actores estatales y no estatales. Durante las últimas semanas CSW ha presentado entrevistas con líderes religiosos quienes trabajan en la región para destacar sus experiencias en la primera línea frente a la libertad de religión o creencia (LdRC).

Yilber es un pastor protestante trabajando en Cuba.

“He conocido tantas amenazas en mi vida cristiana, que sinceramente es imposible enumerarlas. Es algo que quiero ilustrar y para ello no me apoyaré en generalidad alguna o ejemplos abstractos o subjetivos, sino que presentaré las marcas que arrastra mi familia desde que salimos de nuestro pueblo a desempeñar funciones pastorales.

LEE mÁS

Cuba y la libertad de religión o creencias: una entrevista con Ricardo Fernández Izaguirre

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Ricardo Fernández Izaguirre es un defensor de la Libertad de Religión quién fue detenido arbitrariamente el 12 de julio por agentes de seguridad del estado después de abandonar la sede de las Damas de Blanco en La Habana, donde había estado documentando violaciones de la libertad de religión o de creencias (LdRC). Pasó una semana detenido, durante los primeros cuatro días fue completamente incomunicado y no podía contactar su familia o amigos.

El 19 de julio Ricardo fue liberado. En esta entrevista habla de su experiencia, y explico por qué va a seguir defendiendo la LdRC a pesar de su encarcelamiento reciente.

Click here to read this post in English.

“El trabajo de los defensores de la Libertad de Religión y creencias en Cuba (LdRC) es un camino largo, que pasa por las desilusiones (cuando los afectados se niegan a denunciar) y por la represión gubernamental, cuando la policía política persigue, acosa, hostiga y encarcela a los que tratan de hacer valer los derechos humanos. Pero al final del camino está el agradecimiento sincero de los que vieron sus casos resueltos y la convicción profunda de que Dios respalda cada paso que damos llevando esperanzas, como ovejas en medio de lobos (Evangelio de Mateo 10:16).

LEE MÁS

FoRB on the Frontlines: Ricardo Fernández Izaguirre

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Ricardo Fernández Izaguirre is a Cuban religious freedom defender who was arbitrarily detained on Friday 12 July by state security agents after leaving the headquarters of the Ladies in White in Havana where he had been documenting violations of freedom of religion or belief (FoRB). He spent a week in detention, the first four days of which he was completely incommunicado and unable to make or receive contact from family or friends.

On 19 July Ricardo was released. In this interview he details his experience, and explains why he will continue to stand up for FoRB in Cuba despite his recent imprisonment.

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“The work of defenders of freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) in Cuba is a long road which includes disappointments (when victims refuse to report their experiences) and government repression, as political police persecute, attack, harass, and imprison those who try to uphold human rights. But the sincere gratitude of those who see their cases resolved, and the profound conviction that God supports every step we take, bringing hope, like sheep surrounded by wolves (Matthew 10:16) is what can be found at the end of this road.

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FoRB on the Frontlines: Fighting for freedom as long as it’s necessary

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The Ladies in White are a Cuban peaceful protest movement comprising the wives and other female relatives of jailed dissidents. Last year CSW interviewed their leader, Berta Soler, about her experiences, and the challenges facing Cuba:

“My activism really got started in 2003 when the government took [imprisoned] 75 men and one woman just because they defended the Declaration of Human Rights.

I and the other Ladies in White are women who are prepared, very well prepared, and aware that we are in a struggle for the freedom of political prisoners and for respect for human rights in my country. And we, the Ladies in White and I, are very conscious that in my country we need freedom and rights, especially for the men and women who are in prison just for demanding this and promoting and defending the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

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