USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom Conditions in Cuba

USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom Conditions in Cuba

Washington, DC –The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report:

Cuba Country Update – This report provides an update on the poor religious freedom conditions in Cuba. The Cuban government uses its repressive legal framework to tightly control religious institutions. It criminalizes religious activities and expression that the government perceives to be out of step with its ideology. Government actors also regularly persecute worshipers through surveillance, harassment and threats, and fines. In addition, prison officials continue to mistreat religious prisoners of conscience including through torture and medical neglect.

In its 2024 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended the U.S. Department of State redesignate Cuba as a “Country of Particular Concern,” or CPC, for engaging in systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom. In 2023, USCIRF held a hearing on the deteriorating religious freedom conditions in Cuba. In 2022, USCIRF also published a report on constitutional reform and religious freedom in the country.

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze and report on religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion or belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected].