Frankfurt am Main / Geneva, 25 June 2020 – The International Society for Human Rights (ISHR) is preparing a formal request to the responsible Special Rapporteurs of the UN Human Rights Council to draw their attention to serious violations of the human rights of Cuban biologist and environmentalist Dr. Ariel Ruiz Urquiola by the Cuban government.

Ariel Ruiz Urquiola @ ISHR

In May 2018, Ruiz Urquiola was arbitrarily arrested, sentenced and was held in custody from early May to early July 2018. The human rights of the regime critic were violated by the arbitrary arrest and assaults, especially during imprisonment. For example, there is convincing evidence that he was infected with HIV by the Cuban Government during his time in prison.

“We want to achieve that Cuba allows for an open investigation of the allegations documented by Dr. Ariel Ruiz Urquiola, thereby creating transparency”, says Martin Lessenthin, spokesman of the ISHR board.

The detailed formal request of the ISHR to the responsible rapporteurs at the United Nations in Geneva is planned for next week.

• Further information on Dr. Ariel Ruiz Urquiola.