U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday called for the release of all political prisoners in Cuba who remain in jail following the wave of anti-government protests registered in July 2021 on the Caribbean island.
«In the face of oppression, these protesters courageously exercised their fundamental freedoms, including the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. The United States stands with the Cuban people as they defend their human rights,» Biden said in a White House statement.
The U.S. president added, in the framework of the celebration of Human Rights Day on Saturday, December 10, that Washington will continue to fight «for the release of all those who were imprisoned» during the «brutal repression», as well as holding «Cuban officials accountable for the violence against peaceful protests».
According to data from the NGO Prisoners Defenders, 24 new political prisoners were registered in November, bringing the total number of verified political prisoners to 1,034, including at least 34 minors: 29 boys and five girls.
