The regime in Santiago de Cuba prevented an inmate from properly saying goodbye to his deceased mother this Monday, turning an intimate moment into an oppressive police blockade.
Journalist Yosmany Mayeta reported on Facebook about the unfortunate incident that took place at the funeral home in Santiago de Cuba. The inmate was transported there for only 10 minutes to bid farewell to his late mother.
According to witnesses, the guards who were supervising the inmate formed a sort of blockade, preventing family and friends from approaching the son to offer their condolences.
One of the individuals present, who recorded the scene, expressed outrage at how the inmate's grief was handled with complete insensitivity by the authorities.
"There are three siblings, and one of them is in Mexico. When the one abroad tried to call to share in the grief, the moment he took out his phone, the guards nearly assaulted him and took him away; they didn't even let him mourn his mother," the denouncer recounted.
The person who reported the incident said that the ordeal of the farewell continued at the cemetery.
The vehicle transporting the body to the Santa Ifigenia Cemetery had to wait almost an hour at the entrance because the driver forgot the transfer papers at the funeral home, further prolonging the painful process, Mayeta noted.
The journalist described the situation faced by the inmate population in Cuba as tragic when a family member dies, and they are barely granted a few minutes to say goodbye.
"And when there is a cell phone recording or family members on video calls, they quickly take the prisoner away," Mayeta denounced.
Abuses committed by the Cuban regime against the inmate population and their families are commonplace.
Recently, Cuban political prisoner Lizandra Góngora, sentenced to 14 years for the 11J protests, managed to reunite with her children in prison after three and a half months.
The prisoner had been transferred to a jail in the Isle of Youth, a measure considered a "cruel and ruthless tactic by the Castro regime in retaliation for her political opposition," her brother, Ariel Góngora, denounced.
Nelva Ismarays Ortega Tamayo, wife of Cuban dissident José Daniel Ferrer, has not seen her husband since last April. On Monday, July 29, the leader of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (Unpacu) turned 54 years old in the maximum security prison Mar Verde in Santiago de Cuba, but once again, the regime did not allow him to see his family, who demand proof of life.
In an audio accessed by CiberCuba, Nelva Ortega Tamayo explained that she approached Mar Verde accompanied by José Daniel Ferrer's children, Fátima Victoria and Daniel José, to see her husband and congratulate him. "Unfortunately, once again, that right was denied," she said.
Frequently Asked Questions about Inmate Rights in Cuba
The following are some common questions and answers related to the rights and conditions of inmates in Cuba, based on the recent events reported.
What rights do Cuban inmates have when a family member dies?
Cuban inmates are typically granted very limited time to say goodbye to deceased family members. The process is often heavily monitored by authorities, restricting interactions with other mourners.
How are political prisoners treated in Cuba?
Political prisoners in Cuba often face harsh and punitive measures. They are sometimes relocated to distant prisons as a form of retaliation for their political views.
Can family members visit inmates in Cuban prisons?
Visitation rights for family members are frequently restricted. In many cases, families are denied the ability to see their loved ones, particularly in maximum security prisons.