Overview of Human Rights in Cuba

Cuba is a communist state, led by the personalist regime of Fidel Castro for several decades. Human rights abuses and violations are common occurrences in Cuba. The United Nations Commission on Human Rights has called on Cuba to improve its human rights record.

Due to its political status, there is no way for Cubans to exercise the right to change their government or to question Castro's dictates without fear of reprisal in the form of beatings and/or detention by the authorities. Human rights activists and lawyers, as well as political opponents of the Castro regime, are under the threat of violence from the government.

Political prisoners, of which there are about 300 in recent years, are denied fair trails, access to representation and are subject to inhumane conditions while imprisoned.  Speech, press, assembly and association freedoms are severely restricted. Private communications, such as telephone calls and emails, are subject to arbitrary monitoring at the behest of the government.  As well, the limits on freedom of movement include, but are not limited to, selective denial of exit permits to citizens.  

Human Development Index (HDI) Rank:

50th out of 177

Note: Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite index that measures the level of well-being of nations in the world. It uses factors such as poverty, literacy, life-expectancy, education, gross domestic product, and purchasing power parity to assess the average achievements in each nation. It has been used in the United Nation’s Human Development Report since 1993.