Havana/The independent lawyer and civil rights defender Wilfredo Vallín Almeida died in the early hours of this Saturday in Havana, at the age of 77, as confirmed to 14ymedio sources close to the family. The jurist leaves a profound legacy as founder of the Cuban Legal Association (Ajudicuba) and tireless promoter of the legal education of citizens in the face of repression.
Originally from Havana, he graduated in Law from the University of Havana in 1992 and worked briefly as a lawyer in the state network, later dedicating himself to independent legal advice. In 2008 he founded Ajudicuba, with the aim of helping the legal education of Cuban society and providing free legal advice services.
One of the most difficult moments of his activism occurred in 2018, when his house was searched by agents of the State Security who seized numerous work supplies and case files that the group of independent lawyers advised. This episode marked a turning point in his work, due to the intense threats from the political police that he suffered during and after that search.
Vallín was also a pioneer in the use of new technologies, blog, Twitter account (today X) and social networks, as tools to disseminate legal analysis, advice and complaints of Human Rights violations. In his articles he always pointed out the need to denounce the excesses of power and recalled that “a Constitution is a living and practical law that cannot be built with ideological elements.” 
Under his leadership, Ajudicuba advised relatives of numerous political prisoners, documented cases of arbitrary detentions, and offered legal defense seminars.
Under his leadership, Ajudicuba advised relatives of numerous political prisoners, documented cases of arbitrary detentions, and offered legal defense seminars in a context of increasing repression. In one of his statements, Vallín wrote: “All citizens who do not find justice in the Government courts can come to us; our service is completely free.” 
The independent lawyer also taught classes at the Blogger Academy (2008-2009), where his workshops on law, Cuban regulations and defense strategies against repression were very well received. His figure rose as a reference for young lawyers, activists and citizens who sought minimum notions of citizenship, rights and access to justice in Cuba.
A fair-minded man, willing to listen and with a great ability to serve as a bridge between other independent projects, in a short time he emerged as an essential figure in Cuban activism. His voice was heard in numerous international forums and several of his investigations into human rights abuses ended up reaching the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.
Vallín promoted the “Citizen Demand for Another Cuba”, so that the State ratified the Pacts on Civil and Political Rights and Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
Vallín promoted the “Citizen Demand for Another Cuba”, so that the Cuban State ratified the United Nations Pacts on Civil and Political Rights and Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, signed by Havana but not fully implemented. The jurist’s commitment was to see the law not as a written word, but as a real instrument of protection. As he himself maintained: “Knowledge of the laws is the first step to the freedom of the individual.”
Wilfredo Vallín’s health deteriorated rapidly in recent days. His funeral will be this afternoon in Havana.
