CHRISTIAN TODAY/ Ricardo Fernandez Izaguirre –
Ricardo Fernández Izaguirre is a Cuban religious freedom defender who was arbitrarily detained on Friday 12 July by state security agents after leaving the headquarters of the Ladies in White in Havana where he had been documenting violations of freedom of religion or belief (FoRB). He spent a week in detention, the first four days of which he was completely incommunicado and unable to make or receive contact from family or friends.
On 19 July Ricardo was released. In this interview he details his experience, and explains why he will continue to stand up for FoRB in Cuba despite his recent imprisonment:
The work of defenders of freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) in Cuba is a long road which includes disappointments, such as when victims refuse to report their experiences, and government repression, as political police persecute, attack, harass, and imprison those who try to uphold human rights.
But the sincere gratitude of those who see their cases resolved, and the profound conviction that God supports every step we take, bringing hope, like sheep surrounded by wolves (Matthew 10:16) is what can be found at the end of this road. Continue reading…
