On 23 October 2024, Amnesty International named Félix Navarro, Sayli Navarro and Roberto Pérez Fonseca prisoners of conscience, concluding that they had been deprived of their liberty solely for peacefully exercising their human rights. Two years later, they remain unjustly imprisoned amid the continued politically motivated detention and repression of critical voices in Cuba.
In response, Ana Piquer, Amnesty International’s Americas Director, said:
“Two years after being named prisoners of conscience, Félix Navarro, Sayli Navarro and Roberto Pérez Fonseca remain unjustly deprived of their liberty. That means two more years separated from their families, subjected to the harsh conditions of Cuba’s prison system and punished solely for exercising their human rights. The Cuban authorities must release them immediately and unconditionally. They should not spend another day behind bars.”
That means two more years separated from their families, subjected to the harsh conditions of Cuba’s prison system and punished solely for exercising their human rights. The Cuban authorities must release them immediately and unconditionally.”
Ana Piquer, Amnesty International’s Americas Director.
Félix Navarro is a political dissident and founder of the Pedro Luis Boitel Party for Democracy. He was sentenced to nine years in prison. His current imprisonment marks the third time he has been deprived of his liberty for political reasons.
Sayli Navarro is an activist and member of the Damas de Blanco (Ladies in White) movement. She was sentenced to eight years in prison after being arbitrarily detained amid the repression that followed the July 2021 protests.
Roberto Pérez Fonseca is an activist and human rights defender. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his peaceful participation in the 11 July 2021 protests. Among the acts used to convict him was footage showing him tearing up an image of Fidel Castro during the protests.
“Félix, Sayli and Roberto represent man
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