Religious leaders call for international attention to Cuba’s targeting of religious groups

Sixty-three Cuban religious leaders have signed onto a joint declaration decrying the Cuban government’s continued systematic violation of freedom of religion or belief (FoRB), in particular its refusal to allow unregistered places of worship to be legalised and the widespread application of onerous fines on religious leaders, both of which, say the group, have hindered the ability of religious groups to provide much needed humanitarian aid at a time of national crisis.

The declaration, released on 20 November 2024 by the Alliance of Christians of Cuba (ACC), an independent network of religious leaders established in 2022, states that, ‘We observe with dismay that the Cuban state refuses to open spaces for the exercise of fundamental rights such as freedom of association. This limits churches’ ability to provide support and social aid to those most in need… We have documented more than one million [Cuban Pesos (CUP)] collected by the government in fines imposed on religious leaders. This represents a direct attack on freedom of worship and on those seeking to help their communities.’ The statement goes on to note the negative impact on those most in need, including women and children, the elderly and those experiencing chronic illness.

Since 1 January 2024 CSW has documented 69 cases across 11 provinces of religious leaders, including those of Christian and Afro-Cuban and both registered and unregistered religious groups, being targeted by government officials with fines. In June, the leader of an unregistered Christian group in Matanzas was fined 20,000 CUP for failing to vacate the location where the group holds religious services. The leader explained that they had all the legal papers proving ownership of the property, and that they had attempted repeatedly but unsuccessfully to obtain legal permission for the group to meet there. In October, leaders of two registered Christian religious groups in the provinces of Camagüey and Holguin were fined 15,000 CUP and 50,000 CUP respectively for authorised renovations to their properties. Members of the Ladies in White are also regularly fined between 30 CUP and 150 CUP in addition to being arbitrarily detained to prevent them from attending Sunday church services.

The heavy fines imposed on religious leaders come at a time when Cuba is facing one of its worst economic crises in decades. Over the past few months, the island has been hit by a series of hurricanes and tropical storms, experienced an earthquake, and seen its national power grid fail on multiple occasions. There are severe shortages of basic necessities including food, medicine and fuel, and an estimated 10% of the population is believed to have fled the country over the past five years.

CSW’s co-Director of Advocacy Anna Lee Stangl said: ‘Cuba is experiencing a crisis unlike anything it has seen in decades. Instead of opening space to independent civil society, including religious groups, to allow them to provide much needed humanitarian aid to the wider community, the government under President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez is tightening restrictions on all freedoms. CSW continues to stand with the Alliance of Christians of Cuba in their call to the Cuban government to protect fundamental human rights including the right to freedom of religion or belief. There is no excuse for the government’s increased and widespread use of heavy fines to punish religious leaders, simply for attempting to practice their faith in accordance with Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Cuban government must streamline and make transparent legal procedures for religious groups to register, worship and carry out necessary renovations to their buildings. We again urge the international community to prioritise freedom of religion or belief in its dialogues with the Cuban government and to demand that Cuban government implement concrete policies that will allow for the development of a flourishing independent and legal civil society sector.’

Note to Editors:

1. According to Cuba’s National Office of Statistics and Information, the average monthly salary in Cuba was 4,648 CUP in 2023. Religious leaders do not receive a state wage and therefore are likely to earn less.