Since the 1959 revolution, many religious groups in Cuba have experienced significant hostility from the government. Sadly we’ve seen the situation worsen in recent years, with people detained, arbitrary fines imposed and churches demolished.
Yet hope hasn’t died, and we’re continually inspired by the courage and determination of those who face these difficulties head on. Yoel (Yoe) Suárez and Ricardo Fernández Izaguirre are human rights defenders who have faced personal reprisals from the Cuban government because of their work. Both men continue speaking up for justice, despite the dangers.
We interviewed them both recently to find out what life is like for them during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is Cuba – in their own words.
‘I have come up against the government many times’ – Ricardo’s story
As a journalist and religious freedom defender, I have come up against the government many times, from threats, to imprisonment, to being prohibited from leaving the country.
Right now the religious freedom situation in Cuba is very challenging. Now we are seeing pastors declared ‘regulados’, that is, forbidden from leaving the country. We have seen an increase in the number of churches that have been demolished. We have seen how the Cuban State Security has tried to intimidate these pastors, so that they do not continue to do what they do: defend their faith. We have also seen an increase in repression against the Ladies in White, a movement that tries to pray and ask God for freedom for political prisoners in Cuba and better prison conditions.
‘The authorities disregard these rights’
All these things have contributed to a very tense atmosphere for religious freedom in Cuba. Because even though the new constitution included the right to freedom of religion, the government has no political will. Every time we come before the authorities, the authorities disregard these rights that are there in the new constitution.
During the coronavirus pandemic, churches have been forced to close their doors. The government has used this opportunity to attack pastors and harass them with fines and threats.
On top of this, the government took the opportunity to go one step further, and we have at least two confirmed cases of churches being demolished.
They took advantage of the fact that the churches were empty, and that members of the congregation could not defend the church as they have done in the past.
‘The government tries to silence the Christian community’ – Yoel’s story
Hello, my name is Yoe [Yoel] Suárez. I am a young Cuban journalist. I am a Christian. I specialise in issues relating to religion in the country.
The situation for religious freedom in Cuba has a lot to do with other freedoms, and with the limitation placed on these individual freedoms by the Cuban Communist Regime. Freedom of association is highly restricted; freedom of expression is also highly restricted, and this of course affects the ability of religious associations to obtain formal registration in the country, and it removes the legal coverage they need to operate in the country, to import biblical literature, chairs and whatever else they may need; and to get religious visas for people who need to visit the country.
As such, with these kinds of ‘games’, the Cuban government tries to silence the Christian community and all religious groups, but particularly the Christian community.
Summoned, detained, interrogated
There are [church] ministries which are primarily dedicated to distributing food to those in need, especially to the older generations that are in the high-risk group for COVID-19. These ministries have been restricted from distributing aid. Outside of its supervision, the state has not permitted the distribution of food or other basic necessities.
In my own case, I have been ‘regulado’ since 5 February this year, which means I am prohibited from leaving the country. This is all for political reasons, because I have covered violations of religious freedom in Cuba. I have also been restricted from reporting on religion. In the first months of the year, I have been summoned and even detained, such as on 11 May, [when two agents from State Security] took me to a house outside of my municipality blindfolded in an unmarked car, and there they interrogated me. I have been in these kinds of situations six or seven times this year so far.