U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom
USCIRF Conversation: Constitutional Reform and Religious Freedom in Cuba
Tuesday, August 2, 2022
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM ET
Virtual Event
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) hosted a virtual event discussion on USCIRF’s report, Constitutional Reform and Religious Freedom in Cuba.
In 2019, Cuba adopted a new constitution that changed the country’s religious freedom protections. Despite constitutional protections for religious freedom that exist on paper, independent religious communities in Cuba continue to experience violations of freedom of religion or belief (FoRB). The report focuses on the application of Cuba’s constitution and laws in protecting or restricting FoRB and related rights.
USCIRF Vice Chair Abraham Cooper was joined by guest panelists Kirk Dalhgren, Independent Consultant; Javier Larrondo, President of Prisoners Defenders; and Rose Parris Richter, Chief of Staff and Executive Director of External Office to the UN Special Rapporteur on FoRB. USCIRF Director of Outreach and Policy Dwight Bashir moderated the conversation followed by questions and answers from attendees.
Panelists
Moderator
This virtual event is open to the public and media. The video recording will be posted on the Commission website. For any additional questions, please contact [email protected].
Additional Name(s): شفیق اسلامی
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Iran
Religion or Belief: Bahá`í
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Date of Detainment: July/19/2022
Date of Release: August//2022
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment
Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Belief
Nature of Charges: Unknown
Shafigh Eslami was detained for his religious belief and activity.
On July 19, 2022, authorities in Yazd arrested three individuals, including Eslami, reportedly in relation to their being Baha'i. Authorities also searched their homes and confiscated some of their belongings.
In August 2022, Eslami was released on bail.
Related Cases: Nematollah Shadpour, Nima Shadpour
Additional Name(s): نیما شادپور
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Iran
Religion or Belief: Bahá`í
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Date of Detainment: July/19/2022
Date of Release: August//2022
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment
Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Belief
Nature of Charges: Unknown
Nima Shadpour was detained for his religious belief and activity.
On July 19, 2022, authorities in Yazd arrested three individuals, including Shadpour, reportedly in relation to their being Baha'i. Authorities also searched their homes and confiscated some of their belongings.
In August 2022, Shadpour was released on bail.
Related Cases: Nematollah Shadpour, Shafigh Eslami