Gina Romero, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association, publicly countered the Cuban regime's narrative by highlighting that Law No. 54 on Associations severely restricts this fundamental right on the island.
In a direct response to the intervention of the Cuban representative at the UN, Romero stated during one of the UN body's sessions that "Law 54 is over 40 years old" and should be reviewed as it "hinders, if not outright prevents, the genuine possibility of freedom of association."
Romero emphasized that the law, enacted in 1985, limits the existence of multiple associations on the same topic, which "makes no sense" in a diverse civil society.
This observation specifically refers to Article 8, clause d, of Law 54/1985, which allows the denial of registration of an organization if another with similar purposes exists, a mechanism that international bodies claim the Cuban government uses to maintain total control over civic and political life.
In contrast, the regime's representative argued that "civil society in Cuba plays a fundamental role in all aspects of political and social life," including participation in legislative processes and popular consultations.
"What political life is he referring to, when constitutionally, only one party, the Communist Party, can exist, dominating all realms of the state and society? What human rights is he talking about when there are no human rights organizations in Cuba, not even a state-run one?" questioned the independent human rights organization Citizenship and Freedom, which shared videos of both interventions on its X profile.
The group emphasized that rarely has a UN mechanism so clearly exposed the structural restrictions preventing the exercise of fundamental rights in Cuba.
The regime's delegation, "which for over six decades has made lying its ministry, has outdone itself again," the group mocked, describing Romero's response as a brave gesture against official propaganda.
They further questioned, "What democratic participation does he speak of when only communist membership is allowed, and within it, there is no choice but to obey the Castro elite?"
According to Citizenship and Freedom, Cuba is a country "where Cubans die due to the inefficiency and contempt of a regime with full coffers that lies, kills, and tortures with impunity."
Founded in 2024, on the eve of the third anniversary of the popular uprising on July 11, 2021, Citizenship and Freedom aims to defend the rights of association, assembly, and participation in Cuba, promoting active citizen involvement to transform their reality.
In May 2025, the independent organization officially released its legal report "The Right of Association in Cuba: The Legal Architecture of Repression."
The investigation reveals how the Cuban regime has crafted a legal framework that prevents the existence of independent organizations, criminalizes their development, and subordinates associations to the ideological control of the Communist Party.
It also reviews Cuban laws from No. 54/1985 to the Penal Code of 2022, including laws 88/1999 and 80/1996, which criminalize the right of association.
The authors of this report highlight how these regulations prevent plurality or criminalize international funding.
For human and social rights advocates, updating the Association Law to align with current times is crucial, labeling it as "limited," "obsolete," and "bureaucratic."
Key Questions About Cuba's Association Laws and Human Rights
What is Law No. 54 in Cuba?
Law No. 54 in Cuba is the legislation that governs associations, which has been criticized for severely restricting the freedom of association by allowing the government to deny registration of organizations based on the existence of other similar groups.
How does the Cuban regime maintain control over civil society?
The Cuban regime maintains control over civil society through a legal framework that limits the existence of multiple associations on the same topics, criminalizes independent organizations, and ensures all associations adhere to the Communist Party's ideology.
What role does Citizenship and Freedom play in Cuba?
Citizenship and Freedom is an independent organization in Cuba that advocates for the rights of association, assembly, and participation, aiming to empower citizens to actively transform their reality and challenge the legal restrictions imposed by the regime.