Stuardo Ralón, President of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and rapporteur for Cuba, has called on the Cuban government to halt its persecution of religious leaders and communities, and to release those imprisoned for peacefully exercising their religious rights. This demand was made during his participation in a discussion held by the Religious Freedom Observatory of Defense CD, on Tuesday, which marked the International Day of Religious Freedom.
The Guatemalan jurist, who assumed the presidency of the IACHR in March 2026, delivered a speech titled "Faith Should Not Be Policed," which was directed specifically at pastors, priests, and believers participating from the island.
"With respect and determination, I urge the Cuban government to stop harassing religious leaders and communities and to free those who are prisoners of conscience for peacefully exercising their rights," Ralón stated.
Ralón also demanded that the regime ensure religious support for those incarcerated and allow the IACHR to conduct monitoring visits to Cuba, which have been consistently denied.
"The Commission has been unable to enter the island. However, this does not render us blind or deaf. You, the civil society, are our eyes where doors are closed to us," he emphasized.
In his address, Ralón referenced figures compiled by the Defense CD Observatory: between 87 and 140 violations of religious freedom per month in Cuba during 2026, with 139 incidents in May, 122 in July, 140 in August, and 137 in September. He also mentioned data from the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights, which reported at least 873 incidents in 2025, and Christian Solidarity Worldwide, which documented 667 cases between January 2025 and June 2026, affecting Catholics, Protestants, Jehovah's Witnesses, practitioners of Afro-Cuban religions, and both registered and unregistered churches.
Ralón highlighted specific cases, such as Pastor Alexis Padrón Lorenzo from the Church of Communion in Faith in Regla, Havana, who was detained in June during a neighborhood protest against power outages and held for over three months before being released in September, still facing legal proceedings. Martí Noticias also reported on Pastor Alián López Rodríguez of the Tabernacle of Promise in Cabaiguán, Sancti Spíritus, detained during a peaceful religious demonstration and subjected to harassment throughout the year.
Ralón underscored that the most monitored communities are those that dare to feed the hungry, care for the sick, or organize prayers for Cuba from their faith.
"When a government fears those who give bread and pray for their people, the issue lies not with faith, but with power," he noted emphatically.
The conversation also featured Father Mario Felix from Defense CD and Dennis P. Petri from the Observatory of Religious Freedom in Latin America (OLIRE). The event coincided with the IACHR's 197th Period of Sessions in Panama, which also addressed testimonies of religious persecution in Nicaragua.
Ralón concluded his speech with a message to the Cuban believers who joined the conversation despite the risks involved: "Your voices matter. You are not alone."
According to data from Prisoners Defenders, Cuba had 1,351 political prisoners as of the end of September 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions on Religious Freedom in Cuba
What did Stuardo Ralón request from the Cuban government?
Stuardo Ralón requested that the Cuban government cease its persecution of religious leaders and communities and release prisoners of conscience detained for peacefully exercising their religious rights.
What statistics were cited regarding religious freedom violations in Cuba?
Ralón cited statistics documenting between 87 and 140 violations of religious freedom per month in Cuba during 2026, with a total of 873 incidents reported in 2025 by the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights.
Who else participated in the discussion with Ralón?
The discussion included Father Mario Felix from Defense CD and Dennis P. Petri from the Observatory of Religious Freedom in Latin America (OLIRE).