Background Briefing: Cuba

The most significant human rights event in Cuba in the past months was the visit of Pope John Paul II in late January. While the pontiff's visit forced the Cuban government to make some concessions, there has been a lack of genuine human rights reform in Cuba. During the pontiff's stay, the Cuban government permitted large outdoor religious celebrations and broadcast these events uncensored on state-controlled radio and television. Since his visit, Cuba has freed over eighty political prisoners. Twelve of those recently released were forced to leave the island--a violation of the fundamental right of those detainees to remain in their own country.