Document #1328689
IRB – Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (Author)
In a 27 August 1996 telephone interview, a
researcher from Radio Martí noted that this type of
government response to defections has occurred in the past and
cited the example of the high profile defection of MIG fighter
pilot Orestes Lorenzo; his family members were repeatedly refused
permission to leave Cuba to join him.
The source stated that she has heard
reports of direct and indirect repercussions for family members of
individuals who have left Cuba illegally. Although the source is
aware of anecdotal evidence of family members of defectors having
difficulty in their jobs and being subject to wiretapping, she was
of the opinion that the reaction of the Cuban government would be
on a case by case basis and difficult to ascertain. The source felt
that the higher the visibility of the defector, the greater
potential for negative publicity towards the Cuban government and
possible repercussions to family members.
In a 27 August 1996 telephone interview, a
representative of the Cuban Committee for Human Rights (CCPDH)
stated that there is evidence that family members of individuals
who leave illegally are at risk of mistreatment. Family members of
balseros (rafters) have been subject to verbal attacks, police
harassment and actions by neigbourhood defense committees. In
comparison to balseros, the source noted that usually there are
stronger repercussions for family members of individuals who
defected while representing official government interests; there
are cases of spouses being demoted, losing their jobs or being
stripped of their professional qualifications, and children being
denounced at school by classmates belonging to state youth groups
or being prevented from registering for high school or university.
The source noted that the government also can prevent or delay
reunification of the family by not permitting the family members in
Cuba to travel outside the country.
This Response was prepared after
researching publicly accessible information currently available to
the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does
not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular
claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Cuban Committee for Human Rights
(CCPDH), Miami. 27 August 1996. Telephone interview with
representative.
Radio Martí, Washington DC. 27
August 1996. Telephone interview with researcher