The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answers on 16th November 2021:
The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking in response to the 4 November statement by the All Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom of Religion or Belief on the government of Cuba’s targeting of religious leaders following protests in July.
Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park (Con, FCDO): The UK is concerned by the arrests of religious leaders in Cuba, and reports of their continued maltreatment by the Government of Cuba. We have raised our concerns over ongoing detentions directly with the Cuban Government, both in London and Havana. We are clear that all Cubans should have the right to protest peacefully, and that detention must not be used as a tool to restrict freedom of expression, assembly, and religion. The UK was one of the first countries to call for the Cuban people to be allowed to express their views freely and peacefully following the Cuban Government’s response to demonstrations on 11 July. We continue to monitor the situation closely.
The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to raise human rights abuses with the government of Cuba, including the rights to freedom of assembly, expression, and religion or belief; and whether they plan to send an observer from the British Embassy in Cuba to attend the trial of Pastor Lorenzo Rosales Fajardo.
Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: Our constructive and honest relationship with Cuba allows for frank dialogue on matters on which we do not agree. UK ministers and senior officials have raised our concerns over the approach to public demonstrations directly with the Cuban Government, including twice over the last month. The British Embassy in Havana also regularly raises these issues with the Cuban Government, and will continue to monitor the situation closely, including Pastor Lorenzo Rosales Fajardo’s trial.
The Church of England in Parliament 
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