Cuba and the International Day of Commemoration of the Victims of Acts of Violence Motivated by Religion or Beliefs

On August 22, we commemorate the International Day of Commemoration of the Victims of Acts of Violence Based by Religion or Beliefs. The commemoration day was adopted by consensus on May 13, 2019 at the UN in order to condemn continued violence and acts of terrorism against persons, including persons belonging to religious minorities, on the basis of or in the name of religion or belief.

On this day, we reaffirm our unwavering support for the victims of violence motivated by religion and belief. We show that support by doing everything we can to prevent such attacks and hold those responsible to account for their actions.

We join the United Nations in its Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech. The best way to overcome the threat of violence motivated by religion or belief is by joining our voices for good, countering messages of hatred with messages of peace, embracing diversity and protecting human rights. The world must mobilize to eradicate anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, the persecution of Christians and other religious groups, and all forms of racism, xenophobia, discrimination and incitement to violence. As members of the human family, we must foster mutual understanding. We all have a responsibility to care for one another, to respect differences, and to promote peaceful coexistence.

We agree with Tony Perkins, Vice President of USCIRF, that, “We must shed light on the continuing attacks by state and non-state actors against religious groups around the world. This includes the genocide of Yazidis, Christians and Shiite Muslims in Iraq and Syria by ISIS, abuses against Uighurs in China, and massive atrocities against Rohingya Muslims and Christians in Burma.”

Regarding Cuba, in this sense we condemn religious hatred, exclusion, and religious repression, all instigated from the top of the totalitarian Communist Party of Cuba and especially in its Central Committee by the Office of Attention to Religious Affairs, specifically against religious minorities that legal recognition is not even denied to begin with, such as:

The Casa Rastafari in Cuba, in special with de members of the community Bobo Shanti

Community of Sephardic Jews Bnei Anusim of Cuba

Islamic Association for the Spread of Islam

Free Yoruba from Cuba

Mission Bereana Baptist Churches (outlaws since 1976)

Jehovah’s Witnesses (outlaws since 1976)

Iglesia Misionera en Cuba

Community of Messianic Jews “Hijos de Jacob”

Community of Messianic Jews “Anfei Zait”

Ministry “Fe Abundante Internacional”

Apostolic Ministry “Mi Viña”

Apostolic Ministry “Viento Recio”

Apostolic Ministry “Fuego y Dinámica”

Apostolic Ministry “Sendas de Justicia”

Apostolic Ministry “Bet-El-Shalom”

Apostolic Ministry “Rehobot”

Apostolic Ministry “Estableciendo el Reino de Dios”

Apostolic Ministry “Jehová Sama”

Apostolic Ministry “Rey de Gloria”