The world saw when, on 11 July this year, Cuban citizens marched the street in protest. Since 11 July, more facts have been released and the world has received updates on the specific human rights concerns in Cuba.

In Cuba, media access has not been around for long. Citizens in Cuba have only had mobile access to the media for three years. Citizens of Cuba are protesting their “lack of freedom and the worsening economic system”. Cuba has been in a dire situation and Covid-19 has exacerbated problems, as the tourism industry on the island has suffered greatly.

PROTESTS IN CUBA

On 11 July 2021, protesters took to the streets and began shouting “Viva Cuba Libre!” (“Long live free Cuba!”). Protestors also took to social media to create a discourse around the current crisis in Cuba. Much of the information that is circulating is not from the government of Cuba, but the people. “There are no free elections or independent polls. The state controls the media and shuts down the internet when it wants. All we know is what we are seeing and hearing.”

However, what the world does know is that the Cuban people were protesting the conditions wrought by the communist regime with the added effects of the United States’ continuous embargos. Some news stations argue the responsibility of the Cuban regime while others explicitly state that taking a “middle ground approach” ignores the United States’ role in the economic and political crisis the people of Cuba are experiencing.

“The U.S. embargo’s devastating impact on the Cuban economy is an undeniable reality.” Meanwhile, as Covid-19 has been waging war on the world, the detrimental effects on the Cuban people have just been exacerbated. In a report made to the United Nations, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla “estimated [Cuba’s] 2020 losses to be $9.1 million”. “The diplomat said that the sanctions have made it harder for his country to acquire the medical equipment needed to develop COVID-19 vaccines as well as equipment for food production.”

HUMAN RIGHTS CONCERNS

Moreover, since the July protests, it was estimated that over 700 demonstrators were detained and among that number were forced disappearances. As there is limited official news coverage on the situation in Cuba, one is able to find out more subjectively what is happening via social media. The hashtag #sosCuba offers insight into what the people of Cuba have been experiencing for the last decades since Fidel Castro came into power.

It is not sufficient to only see one side of how the Cuban protests in July came about. It is evident that the United States’ sanctions play a significant role in the suffering of the Cuban people. As time goes on, the people of Cuba demand answers and accountability with greater strength. Further, as Covid-19 persists, the crisis in Cuba remains deeply concerning.

Sarah is an almost graduated student at the University of Glasgow. She studied an LLM in International Law and Security, and her focused studies and passion are Human Rights. Her latest piece of work was her dissertation which encompassed women's rights.
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