Rules were put in place in response to the July 2021 demonstrations, the largest in the country in 6 decades.
The Cuban parliament on Sunday (May 15, 2022) passed a new law punishing antigovernment protests. The change comes in response to demonstrations that took to the country’s streets in July last year.
Presenting the rules, President of the Supreme People’s Court Rubén Remigio Ferro said the new law “classifies as crimes the most serious and harmful acts for society and protects the interests of the state and the people.”
“The most serious violations related to abuse of constitutional rights, participation in subversive activities and attacks on information and communication technologies will be punished,” Ferro said. Thus, the Cuban regime limits the right to demonstrate to acts in favor of the state.
The new law also retains the death penalty for 23 offences. According to the Supreme Court, the “exception” measure should be used “in the case of crimes against state security, terrorism, international drug trafficking and murder”.
PROTESTS
On July 11 and 12, 2021, thousands of protesters took to the streets in 50 Cuban cities. These were the biggest protests against the regime in 60 years.
The demonstrations took place against the deepening pandemic and economic crisis that was bringing the country to collapse: shortages of medicines, long lines for access to food and frequent power outages.
One person died, dozens were injured and hundreds arrested during the protests. A Human Rights Watch report released in October 2021 pointed to “systematic abuses” by the Cuban government against peaceful protesters.
From December last year to February this year, the Cuban Supreme Court sentenced 128 people for taking part in the demonstrations. Sentences range from 6 to 30 years in prison.