Michelle Bachelet demanded the immediate release of those detained during protests against the Cuban dictatorship and called for dialogue

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle bachelet, asked this Friday on rapid release in Cuba of all those detained for “exercising their right to freedom of peaceful assembly, of opinion and of expression” during the days of protest.

The official too mourned the death of a protester in the protests in Havana, and called for an investigation “independent, transparent and efficient“Of the event, after which those responsible are punished.

“All those detained for exercising their rights must be released urgently”

Bachelet expressed concern about the arrests, including those of several journalists, as well as the “alleged use of force against demonstrators” reported by witnesses to the demonstrations.

“All those detained for exercising their rights must be released as a matter of urgency“, Insisted the former Chilean president, who considered”particularly disturbing“Complaints that some detainees are being held incommunicado or missing.

Bachelet too demanded the full restoration on the island of Internet and social media services.

On the other hand, the High Commissioner called for the lifting of “unilateral sectoral sanctions“That Cuba suffers”,given its negative impact on human rights, including the right to health”.

During the protests, which take place in a difficult economic context, protesters demanded the lifting of restrictions on basic goods such as food, medicine and COVID-19 vaccines.

Number of detainees in Sunday protests in Cuba remains uncertain, while the regime adopts the first emergency measures to face the serious crisis which has mobilized thousands of citizens to demonstrate in the streets.

Although authorities have confirmed that there are people arrested for their participation in the protests and riots that took place in different parts of Cuban geography on Sunday and to a lesser extent on Monday, they have not yet specified figures on the number of people deprived of their liberty.

Some international organizations and activists have posted lists on social networks that quantify the detainees by the hundreds based on the events of recent days on the island, where no new incidents have been reported but a visible police presence is maintained in public areas.

LIFE CONTINUES … WITHOUT INTERNET

Meanwhile, in the country the daily routine continues its course, people go to work, continue to queue for long hours in stores to buy food and sThey are still waiting for the Internet to be restored on their cell phones.

Most social networks and messaging platforms remain blocked in mobile data service in Cuba, four days after unprecedented protests in which thousands of Cubans protested over shortages of food, medicine and annoying “power cuts” lasting several hours.

Until now, it is only possible to access the network in public parks that offer wireless Wi-Fi or through Nauta-Hogar and ADSL services in homes, a service that many Cubans cannot. still not afford because of its high cost..

Experts, as well as many ordinary Cubans, believe that authorities cut the internet to prevent networks from helping incidents to reoccur that in some places they turned violent when confronted by protesters and government supporters.

Some young people even called on smart tips to regain access to the network of networks and have used platforms such as VPN to activate their mobile devices equipped with 3G and 4G technology.

(With information from EFE)

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