Cuba

Latest Report

Not Available

Immigration detainees

2019

No Data

Detained children

Latest Report

Overview

(February 2021) Cuba hosts comparatively small numbers of international migrants and refugees. Although historically it has been a destination for some Haitian asylum seekers, during 2012-2019 the country received only 430 asylum applicants, most of whom were from Syria and Iran. The government grants temporary residence status and offers educational scholarships and free health services to all refugees and asylum seekers. Authorities do not detain non-citizens who are seeking international protection, however there may be exceptions if a person does not follow procedures. A reception facility reportedly operates in Punta de Maisí. While immigration detention does not appear to be used in Cuba, the country has long been criticised for imposing lengthy pretrial detention measures, as well as for overcrowding, poor hygiene, and lack of access to medical care and food in prisons.

Types of facilities used for migration-related detention
Administrative Ad Hoc Criminal Unknown

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Cuba

20 October 2020 – Cuba

20 October 2020

The Cuban government responded swiftly to the COVID-19 crisis, implementing several restrictions early on in the pandemic including a ban on tourist arrivals and a lockdown for vulnerable people. By August 2020, however, cases began to increase and by mid-October there were a total of 6,220 cases and 125 deaths related to the virus. The […]

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A Street Vendor Wearing a Mask as a Precaution Against the Spread of Coronavirus, (Associated Press,
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DETENTION STATISTICS

Total Migration Detainees: Flow + Stock (year)
Not Available
2019

DETAINEE DATA

Total Number of Children Placed in Immigration Detention (Year)
0
2017

DETENTION CAPACITY

ALTERNATIVES TO DETENTION

ADDITIONAL ENFORCEMENT DATA

PRISON DATA

Criminal Prison Population (Year)
57,337
2012
Prison Population Rate (per 100,000 of National Population)
510
2012

POPULATION DATA

Population (Year)
11,300,000
2020
11,390,000
2015
International Migrants (Year)
4,886
2019
13,300
2015
International Migrants as Percentage of Population (Year)
0.1
2015
Refugees (Year)
233
2019
287
2018
342
2017
312
2016
303
2015
280
2014
Ratio of Refugees Per 1000 Inhabitants (Year)
0.03
2016
0.02
2014
New Asylum Applications (Year)
46
2019
75
2016
1
2014
Refugee Recognition Rate (Year)
92.9
2014
Stateless Persons (Year)
0
2016
0
2015

SOCIO-ECONOMIC DATA & POLLS

Gross Domestic Product per Capita (in USD)
6,789
2013
Unemployment Rate
2014
Net Official Development Assistance (ODA) (in Millions USD)
261.7
2014
Human Development Index Ranking (UNDP)
67 (High)
2015

MIGRATION-RELATED DETENTION

Does the Country Detain People for Migration, Asylum, or Citizenship Reasons?
Unknown
2022
Does the Country Have Specific Laws that Provide for Migration-Related Detention?
No
2022

GOVERNANCE SYSTEM

Legal Tradition(s)
Civil law
2017

LEGAL & REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

GROUNDS FOR MIGRATION-RELATED DETENTION

LENGTH OF MIGRATION-RELATED DETENTION

MIGRATION-RELATED DETENTION INSTITUTIONS

PROCEDURAL STANDARDS & SAFEGUARDS

DETENTION MONITORS

> National human rights monitoring bodies

> National Preventive Mechanisms (Optional Protocol to UN Convetion against Torture)

> Non-governmental organisations (NGOs)

> Governmental monitoring bodies

> International detention monitoring

TRANSPARENCY

READMISSION/RETURN/EXTRADITION AGREEMENTS

COVID-19

HEALTH CARE

COVID-19 DATA

Has the country released immigration detainees as a result of the pandemic?
Unknown
2022
Has the country used legal "alternatives to detention" as part of pandemic detention releases?
Unknown
2022
Has the country Temporarily Ceased or Restricted Issuing Detention Orders?
Unknown
2022
Has the Country Adopted These Pandemic-Related Measures for People in Immigration Detention?
COVID-19 Testing: UnknownVaccinations: UnknownProvision of Masks: UnknownProvision of Hygiene Supplies: UnknownSuspension of Visits: Unknown
2022
Has the Country Locked-Down Previously "Open" Reception Facilities, Shelters, Refugee Camps, or Other Forms of Accommodation for Migrant Workers or Other Non-Citizens?
Unknown
2022
Have cases of COVID-19 been reported in immigration detention facilities or any other places used for immigration detention purposes?
Unknown
2022
Has the Country Ceased or Restricted Deportations/Removals During any Period After the Onset of the Pandemic?
Unknown
2022
Has the Country Released People from Criminal Prisons During the Pandemic?
Yes
2020
Have Officials Blamed Migrants, Asylum Seekers, or Refugees for the Spread of COVID-19?
Unknown
2022
Has the Country Restricted Access to Asylum Procedures?
Not Applicable
2013
Has the Country Commenced a National Vaccination Campaign?
Yes
2022
Have Populations of Concern Been Included/Excluded From the National Vaccination Campaign?
People in Immigration Custody (including legal in "alternatives to detention" or at open reception centres): UnknownRefugees: IncludedUndocumented Migrants: UnknownAsylum Seekers: IncludedStateless People: Unknown
2022

INTERNATIONAL TREATIES

International Treaties Ratified
Ratification Year
Observation Date
CTOCSP, Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime
2013
2013
CTOCTP, Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children
2013
2013
ICPED, International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance
2009
2009
CRPD, Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
2007
2007
CAT, Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
1995
1995
CRC, Convention on the Rights of the Child
1991
1991
CEDAW, Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
1980
1980
ICERD, International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
1972
1972
VCCR, Vienna Convention on Consular Relations
1965
1965
Ratio of relevant international treaties ratified
Ratio: 9/19
Ratio of Complaints Procedures Accepted
Observation Date
0/6
0/6

NON-TREATY-BASED INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS MECHANISMS

Relevant Recommendations from the UN Universal Periodic Review
Observation Date
No 2009
2017
No 2013

REGIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS MECHANISMS

DETENTION COSTS

OUTSOURCING

FOREIGN SOURCES OF FUNDING FOR DETENTION OPERATIONS