Family of imprisoned pastor to be evicted

Cuban authorities have delivered documents to the wife of imprisoned Pastor Omar Gude Perez notifying her that the family home is to be confiscated. The family will be relocated to a significantly smaller apartment in poor condition outside of the city of Camaguey.

Kenia, the pastor’s wife, has told officials that she and her children will not leave the home voluntarily, and has called on the European Union, and other members of the international community, to actively monitor the family’s situation.

Government officials have been threatening the family with eviction since last July, when Pastor Gude Perez was sentenced to a six year and seven month prison sentence.

The official reason given for the confiscation of the family home and their relocation is “illicit gain” (enriquecimiento indebido). However, Kenia has been informed repeatedly by the authorities that she is being punished for continuing to inform international human rights NGOs and representatives of foreign governments about the human rights violations the family has suffered.

The home, where the family has lived for the past eight years, is legally under the name of Pastor Omar Gude Perez, who is currently being held in La Empresita prison in Camaguey. However, instead of citing him directly, papers were delivered by hand to his wife.

The family will be forced to move from what Kenia describes as a large comfortable house in the city to a three bedroom apartment in very bad condition. The location of the apartment, outside the city, will make it difficult for the children to travel to and from their school.

CSW’s National Director, Stuart Windsor said, “There is no justifiable reason for the confiscation of the family home, and the authorities’ targeting of innocent children is absolutely reprehensible. The international community must make it clear to the Cuban government that the persecution of this family must stop. CSW continues to demand the release of Pastor Gude Perez, but also insists that the government leaves Kenia and their two children in peace.”