Church leaders in Cuba are being placed under “intense pressure” by Cuban Government officials to ensure congregations vote in favour of a proposed new constitution, according to religious freedom advocacy CSW.
The UK-based organisation, which has previously highlighted concerns that the new constitution would significantly reduce religious freedom in the island nation, says religious leaders, including Christian leaders, across Cuba have reported being summoned to meetings by high ranking Communist Party officials in recent days and expected to confirm that they and their congregations will be voting for the new constitution.
The meetings come in the wake of unprecedented public statements from some of the country’s largest denominations, including the Eastern Baptist Convention, the Methodist Church of Cuba and Assemblies of God as well as the Cuban Catholic Bishops Conference, which have been critical of the proposed new constitution.
Mervyn Thomas, CEO of CSW, said the concerns of religious groups were “largely ignored” in the drafting of the new constitution which will be put to the vote on 24th February.
“Church leaders have exercised their right to share their views on the content of the new constitution, and have publicly stated that they will not tell their members how to vote,” he said. “CSW calls on the Cuban government to cease its efforts to pressure and intimidate religious leaders in an attempt to force a ‘yes’ vote, and to allow all Cubans to vote with their conscience on 24 February.”
