USCIRF Welcomes Release of Wrongfully Imprisoned Religious Leaders and Adherents in Cuba

Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomes the release of Cuban Santería practitioners Donaida Pérez Paseiro and Lisdiani Rodríguez Isaac as well as Christian Pastor Lorenzo Rosales Fajardo. The Cuban government had wrongfully imprisoned the three alongside hundreds of peaceful protesters for participating in the July 11, 2021 demonstrations for greater freedom on the island. USCIRF has highlighted their cases in hearings and publications since their arrests in 2021.

“While we are relieved that Donaida, Lisdiani, and Lorenzo have been released, we know that they will continue to face challenges because of their unjust incarceration,” said USCIRF Commissioner Maureen Ferguson. “We stand with them and their families and extend our sincere gratitude to all who tirelessly advocate on their behalf.”

As USCIRF has continuously reported, Cuba’s repressive legal framework harshly punishes religious activities and expressions that the regime perceives to be out of step with its governing ideology. It also arbitrarily denies legal registration to religious organizations that exist outside of regime control such as the Free Yoruba Association of Cuba, and criminalizes membership or association with them. The Cuban Department of State Security, the National Revolutionary Police, and the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution, among others, enforce these repressive laws through surveillance, harassment and threats, fines, imprisonments, and torture.

“USCIRF continues to call for the release of all Cuban religious leaders wrongfully imprisoned for participating in the July 11, 2021 protests, such as Loreto Hernández García,” said USCIRF Commissioner Susie Gelman. “We urge the U.S. Department of State to make clear to the Cuban authorities that those who remain wrongfully imprisoned must be released and to remain vigilant to confront any future harassment, intimidation, or detention by the Cuban government.”

In its 2024 annual report, USCIRF recommended that the State Department designate Cuba as a “Country of Particular Concern” for engaging in systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.

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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 and belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected].

USCIRF Welcomes News of Mubarak Bala’s Release from Prison in Nigeria

Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomes news of the release from prison of humanist Mubarak Bala. Arrested in 2020 on blasphemy charges, the Kano State Court sentenced Bala to 24 years in prison in 2022 before an appeals court later reduced the sentence to five years. Since his 2020 arrest, USCIRF has called repeatedly on the U.S. government to advocate for Bala’s release and promote religious freedom while safeguarding freedom of expression in Nigeria. USCIRF also recommends the State Department designate Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for these and other particularly severe restrictions on religious freedom.

“Mubarak Bala’s release corrects a serious miscarriage of justice. Nobody should serve 24 years or any time in prison for a nonviolent social media post,” said USCIRF Commissioner Vicky Hartzler. “While we welcome news of Mr. Bala’s release, the U.S. government must continue to advocate for Nigerians unjustly detained on blasphemy charges and designate Nigeria a CPC on the basis of the State Department’s own reporting.”

“Mr. Bala’s release is an important step toward greater religious freedom in Nigeria,” said USCIRF Commissioner Mohamed Elsanousi. “The U.S. government should build upon this progress by conveying to Nigeria’s government the importance of ensuring religious freedom for all Nigerians including Muslims, Christians, traditional practitioners, and humanists who often choose not to practice a faith. Four Nigerians remain imprisoned on blasphemy charges including Yahaya Sharif–Aminu, Isma’ila Sani Isah, Sheikh Abduljabar Nasiru Kabara, and Abdulazeez Inyass.”

In its 2024 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” or CPC, for engaging in systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.

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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 and belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected]