Cuba

Human rights defenders in Cuba have been subjected to acts of harassment, surveillance, arbitrary detention, restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly, association and movement, beatings, judicial harassment, periods of detention under house arrest, long prison sentences, violent attacks, ill-treatment, torture and killings. Human rights defenders have been harassed by the authorities and also pro-government groups.

Human rights defenders in Cuba include journalists, lawyers and trade unionists. Outspoken critics of the government who campaign for both civil and political rights and also economic, social and cultural rights are persecuted by the authorities including the security forces and also by a group of pro-government civilians known as the Brigada de Respuesta Rápida (Rapid Response Brigade). Many defenders are placed under house arrest in order to prevent them from carrying out their human rights work. There are severe restrictions on human rights defenders' freedom of movement and many have been prevented from leaving the country. Freedom of expression is also curtailed and currently no independent publications or media outlets exist within the country. Peaceful demonstrations have been violently dispersed and protestors have been arrested as a consequence of their activities.