On Monday, Cubalex confirmed the death of political prisoner Ernesto Brieva Sempé, a participant in the July 11, 2021 protests, who passed away in the early hours between May 12 and 13 at Combinado del Este prison in Havana.
The Cuban human rights and legal assistance organization highlighted the case on social media, noting that 48-year-old Brieva Sempé was suffering from severe malnutrition at the time of his death.
According to Cubalex, Brieva Sempé had initially been sentenced to five years of correctional labor without imprisonment for his involvement in the protests in the El Toyo area of the Diez de Octubre municipality. However, "close sources claim the sentence was revoked, and he remained incarcerated due to his critical stance against the regime."
Judicial Irregularities and Harsh Sentencing
The case file shows that during a trial on November 25, 2022, against 15 Diez de Octubre protesters, Brieva Sempé originally received a 12-year prison sentence. In addition to the severe malnutrition, Cubalex reported that State Security monitored the political prisoner's funeral, a tactic documented by human rights groups as a means of intimidating victims' families.
Inhumane Conditions in Cuban Prisons
Combinado del Este, Cuba's largest prison, has frequently been criticized for its inhumane conditions. Days before Brieva Sempé's death, there were already reports of drastic reductions in food rations for inmates.
Brieva Sempé's death marks the sixth protester from the July 11 demonstrations to die in state custody since 2021, according to Cubalex's records. Earlier this year, Luis Miguel Oña Jiménez, another 11J political prisoner, died in February following a cerebral ischemia while incarcerated. He was released on parole when he was already in a terminal state.
Call for Justice and Accountability
Cubalex warned that as of 2026, there have been 20 reported deaths in Cuban prisons, amid a worrying rise in fatalities within the island's penal system. The organization expressed its condolences to Brieva's family and demanded "an independent and impartial investigation into his death, as well as protection guarantees for those deprived of freedom and an end to reprisals against those exercising their right to free speech."
FAQs on Political Prisoner Deaths in Cuba
What led to Ernesto Brieva Sempé's incarceration?
Ernesto Brieva Sempé was initially sentenced to five years of correctional labor without imprisonment for his participation in the July 11 protests. However, sources claim his sentence was revoked, and he remained jailed due to his opposition to the Cuban regime.
How have human rights groups responded to Brieva Sempé's death?
Human rights organization Cubalex has called for an independent investigation into his death and urged for protective measures for detained individuals, while condemning the intimidation tactics used against the families of political prisoners.
What are the conditions like in Combinado del Este prison?
Combinado del Este prison is frequently criticized for its harsh and inhumane conditions, including reports of reduced food rations and poor treatment of inmates.