Exiles in numerous cities in America and Europe have joined the call for International Human Rights Day, to demand freedom for political prisoners and denounce the repression in Cuba.
MADRID, Spain.- Exile organizations, activists and civil society groups inside and outside Cuba are preparing a global day of protests for December 10, International Human Rights Day. The call seeks to demand the release of political prisoners and denounce the regime’s repression, in a scenario marked by economic deterioration and the increase in complaints about prison abuses.
Among the main promoters is the leader of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU), José Daniel Ferrer, who called for turning the date into a global demand. In Ferrer also encouraged peaceful actions within the island—such as graffiti, pot-banging, and lightning protests—and asked exiles to organize rallies in cities where Cuban communities reside.
The call has been supported by exile platforms and organizations that promote slogans such as “World Cry for Cuba”, as well as by activists and former political prisoners who have joined in on social networks. Cuba Decide, led by Rosa María Payá, spread its support with the message: “See you on the 10th! We support the call to demonstrate worldwide for human rights for Cubans. Freedom for political prisoners. Freedom for Cuba.”
Concentrations are multiplying in America, Europe and Canada. According to a public record compiled by the activist Norges Rodríguezthe calls include cities such as Miami, Washington, Toronto, Montreal, Madrid, Valencia, Tenerife, Paris, Stockholm and Santiago de Chile, in addition to other points where the diaspora maintains an active presence. In Costa Rica, for example, Cubans residing in San José announced a protest for the “end of the dictatorship” for this day.
Within Cuba, independent activists have expressed their intention to participate, although in previous years the Government has responded to similar calls with police operations and arrests to prevent peaceful demonstrations.
The 2025 day is added to a growing dynamics of mobilizations since July 11, 2021. In 2024, marches and vigils were recorded in about 20 cities during Human Rights Day. This year, the exile hopes that December 10 will become a new international impulse to demand justice, make repression visible and demand freedom for political prisoners in Cuba.
