UK-based religious freedom advocacy Christian Solidarity Worldwide has called on new Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel to abolish the Office of Religious Affairs and adopt legislating protecting religious freedom.
CSW concluded in a recent report on religious freedom in Cuba that the ORA – part of the Central Committee of the Communist party – remains the prime perpetrator of religious freedom violations in Cuba, noting that its “consistent hostility” toward the leadership of many religious groups, “is evidence to many Cuban religious leaders that this government body exists solely to monitor and restrict the activities of religious groups”.
Mervyn Thomas, chief executive of CSW, says the appointment of Mr Diaz-Canel – the first non-Castro to govern the island nation in almost 60 years and the first president not to be head of the Communist Party, presents an “opportunity for the Cuban government to meaningfully separate the organs of the state from Communist party”.
“CSW urges the Cuban government to abolish the ORA, to fully ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and to uphold the right to freedom of religion or belief for all.”
It was announced this week that Mr Diaz-Canel had been selected to succeed President Raul Castro after gaining the unanimous approval of all members of the Cuban National Assembly.
