In the most recent Amnesty Urgent Action letter, the TRU Students’ Union urged President Miguel Díaz-Canel to immediately release Jonathan Muir Burgos, a 16-year-old who has been detained in an adult prison following his participation in a peaceful protest.
“Young people should never fear imprisonment simply for speaking out about issues affecting their communities,” said Jesse Johnson, Equity Member at Large. “By writing this letter, we are reminding governments that the rights of children and young people deserve to be protected, no matter where they live.”
Jonathan Muir Burgos was detained after attending protests in Morón that were sparked by prolonged power outages, food shortages, and failing public services. He is currently being held in Canaleta Prison, an adult detention facility, where his family reports that his physical and mental health have deteriorated. He has been charged with “sabotage,” one of the most serious offences under Cuban law.
His detention reflects a broader pattern of authorities using arbitrary detention and serious criminal charges to discourage peaceful protest and silence dissent. Amnesty International has documented numerous cases of people facing prosecution simply for exercising their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
“The right to peacefully express concerns about your community should never come at the cost of your freedom,” said Johnson.
We urged President Miguel Díaz-Canel to immediately release Jonathan Muir Burgos, ensure his safety and wellbeing while in custody, and end the use of severe criminal charges against those who peacefully exercise their human rights.
We await a response from President Miguel Díaz-Canel on this urgent matter.
More Information
The Amnesty Urgent Actions Program allows the Union to take action regarding international human rights injustices that matter to students. Click this link to see injustices we have addressed previously, and for further information about this issue or to see a copy of the letter, contact the Equity Coordinator below.