IACHR to Follow Up on Precautionary Measures in Favor of Damas de Blanco in Cuba

September 30, 2022

Washington, D.C. — On September 28, 2022, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) issued Follow-Up Resolution 48/2022, which addresses the implementation of precautionary measures granted in favor of members of the Damas de Blanco organization in Cuba, after analyzing the available information and identifying a series of challenges in light of the lack of response from the State.

The IACHR granted precautionary measures in favor of these beneficiaries on October 28, 2013, through Resolution 6/2013, as it deemed them to be at serious, urgent risk of suffering irreparable harm to their human rights. Before issuing the precautionary measure, the IACHR considered information on acts of violence and repeated arrests as a result of the beneficiaries participating in peaceful demonstrations to expose the human rights situation of political dissidents in the country. Subsequently, in May 2014, these precautionary measures were extended to other members of the organization, when it was observed that the acts of violence against them had continued.

The IACHR analyzed the information provided by the beneficiaries' representatives regarding the implementation of these precautionary measures in the current context and expressed its regret over the lack of a response from the State. It identified a series of challenges that have arisen since the precautionary measures have been in force, the risk factors to which the beneficiaries are exposed, and the differentiated impact they may potentially experience because they are women human rights defenders. The IACHR also deemed that conducting a country visit may be relevant.

Under the terms of Article 25 of its Rules of Procedure, the IACHR resolved to:

1. Maintain the precautionary measures granted in favor of the members of Damas de Blanco according to the terms set out in this Follow-up Resolution.
2. Request that the parties submit specific, detailed, up-to-date information on the situation of the beneficiaries with a view to continuing to evaluate their situation as per the terms of Article 25 of the Rules of Procedure; In particular, keep the parties up to date on the census of the organization's beneficiaries;
3. Express the IACHR's willingness to carry out its first on-site visit to Cuba with the prior consent of the State, under the terms set forth in this Resolution. During this visit, the IACHR would seek to verify the situation of the beneficiaries of these precautionary measures, which might include a working meeting with the parties and meetings with the beneficiaries and the authorities that are directly responsible for implementing these precautionary measures. This would be one of the appropriate follow-up measures for the effective implementation of these precautionary measures; and,
4. Continue implementing appropriate follow-up measures as per Article 25.10 and other provisions set out in its Rules of Procedure.

A principal, autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), the IACHR derives its mandate from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has a mandate to promote respect for and to defend human rights in the region and acts as a consultative body to the OAS in this area. The Commission is composed of seven independent members who are elected in an individual capacity by the OAS General Assembly and who do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

No. 221/22

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