May 13, 2026
Cuba Maintains Poor Religious Freedom Conditions
Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released the following report:
Cuba Country Update – This report outlines continued, systematic violations of freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) in Cuba. The government maintains a repressive legal structure that marginalizes certain religious groups and exerts control over them, using surveillance, fines, and enforced exile against religious leaders and practitioners.
In its 2026 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended Cuba be designated as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC). USCIRF has reported on the authoritarian repression of FoRB in Nicaragua, Cuba, and Venezuela, and held a hearing on Cuba’s religious freedom violations.
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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan legislative branch agency 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 and belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected].
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Iran
Religion or Belief: Bahá`í
Reports of Torture: Yes
Date of Detainment: March//2026
Current Status: Not Released
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment
Borna Naimi
Extra Bio Info:
Borna Naimi is detained for his religious identity and association.
In March 2026, Iranian authorities arrested Naimi, held him incommunicado, and accused him of murdering government officials in January, despite his being home with family at the time of the incident. Detention authorities tortured him into confession through beatings, mock executions, and psychological threats. Authorities confined Naimi to a prison in Kerman with his cousin, Peyvand Naimi, who was accused of similar crimes.
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Iran
Religion or Belief: Bahá`í
Reports of Torture: Yes
Date of Detainment: January//2026
Current Status: Not Released
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment
Peyvand Naimi
Extra Bio Info:
Peyvand Naimi is detained for his religious identity and association.
In January 2026, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps authorities arrested Naimi and held him incommunicado. Detention authorities tortured him with mock executions to extract forced confessions for murders he was accused of committing, despite his being detained before the alleged crimes occurred. Authorities confined Naimi to a prison in Kerman with his cousin, Borna Naimi, who was accused of similar crimes.
During detention, authorities subjected him to further ill-treatment, including beatings, suspension by his hands and feet, and denial of medical care and food.