(Cuba)—[CBN News] There is an "unprecedented" crackdown on churches in Cuba according to a new report by Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW). (Photo via CBN News)
The figures compiled by CSW show there was a
tenfold increase in the number of religious freedom violations in Cuba
in 2015 with 2,300 separate violations recorded compared to only 220 in
2014.
CSW reports the spike is largely due to
government hostility against churches, with 2,000 Assemblies of God
churches declared illegal and 100 shut down or demolished. The
government also took over the properties of several other denominations.
The report also accuses the Office of
Religious Affairs of existing "solely to monitor, hinder and restrict
the activities of religious groups."
CSW points out that in 2015, the ORA
"continued to deny authorization for a number of religious activities
and in cooperation with other government agencies, issued fines and
threats of confiscation to dozens of churches and religious
organizations."
Government agents are also deploying "brutal and public tactics" to restrict freedom of religion.
"Week after week, state security agents
physically and violently dragged scores of women away from Sunday
morning services," the report reads. "Most were arbitrarily detained
until after the conclusion of religious services."
"This tactic is also applied to religious
leaders who are viewed as problematic, for whatever reason, by the
authorities," the report states.
"For the first time in four years a church
leader was sentenced to and served six months in prison for holding
unauthorized religious services," it said.
CSW's analysis suggests that the Cuban
government is trying to "eliminate the potential for social upheaval by
cracking down on any and all groups that are calling, or could call, for
social and political reforms alongside the limited economic reforms the
government has enacted."
"It is clear that despite promises of
reform, the government is determined to maintain a tight grip on civil
society, including churches," CSW Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas said.
"We commend the courage of religious groups
who have spoken out publicly to denounce these violations and to call
for the right to freedom of religion or belief to be upheld," he said.
"We urge the international community to stand with them and to hold Cuba
to account for these human rights violations."
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Source: www.breakingchristiannews.com/