Given the situation, in April 2013 the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Center filed a petition with the IACHR on behalf of the MCL and Payá’s family, alleging Cuba’s “international responsibility” for the deaths of both dissidents, which was done with impunity.
After more than 10 years of investigation and analyzing the evidence presented, the agency of the Organization of American States (OAS) issued its report stating that there are “multiple pieces of evidence related to the participation of state agents in the death of Messrs. Payá and Cepero.”
The report also states that before their deaths, both dissidents were victims of “multiple acts of violence, harassment, and threats” by the government within “a context of violence against political dissidents and human rights defenders.”
The IACHR notes that the Cuban government did not respond to inquiries during the investigation.
In a statement to ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner, Cardet pointed out that the IACHR’s pronouncement on the case is “an act of justice, very consistent with the truth and with the data that has been provided” from the moment this tragic event occurred, which reinforces what we have been saying during all these years: that the regime was directly responsible for the death of Oswaldo and Harold.”
Cardet also stressed that “it’s relevant that a body of this level would make a pronouncement,” especially when in a dictatorial regime like Cuba’s “the path of justice is plagued with many obstacles.”