Alianza Regional, together with our member Observatorio Cubano de Derechos Humanos, prepared a Shadow Report on the evolution of the commitments assumed by the government of Cuba in the framework of the Universal Periodic Evaluation (UPR) of May 2018.
Specifically, our analysis focused on the evolution of 8 commitments regarding the rights of access to information, freedom of expression, and association and peaceful assembly, in relation to which no significant progress was observed. Therefore, we also presented a series of recommendations with the aim of reducing the existing gap between the aforementioned commitments and the state of affairs they currently display in the country.
In order to elaborate them, we based this report on an exhaustive review of official norms and communications, of diverse documents elaborated by national and international actors (media, academics, non-governmental organizations and regional institutions), and on the realization of an survey to 19 leaders of independent civil society organizations linked to social activism and the defense of human rights in Cuba.
With a view to the Mid-Term Evaluation that is taking place this year, and with the aim of contributing to the effective development of the enjoyment of these rights, the document was sent to all the member states of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, as well as to the office of the High Commissioner of this agency, and the missions of the countries that formulated the recommendations for the Cuban government in relation to these rights, among others.
