Country Expert Witness on Cuba and Latin America & the Caribbean Countries for Asylum Cases Providing Expert Witness Reports, Evidence and Country Expert Testimonies for Asylum and Human Rights Cases

Hello, dear colleagues!
This article is primarily written for law firms representing asylum applicants from Cuba and other countries in Latin America & the Caribbean, although it may also be useful for applicants themselves.
My name is Maxim Kharitonov, and I am the founder of The Human Rights, an international agency of expert witnesses specializing in expert reports for asylum seekers worldwide (website: thehuman-rights.com).

We provide expert witness reports on human rights violations, political persecution, and asylum-related risks across key regions, including:

• Post-Soviet Region (CIS): Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Georgia.
• East Africa: Eritrea, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya, Uganda.
• South & Central Asia: Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan.
• Middle East: Syria, Iraq, Iran, Yemen, Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, Saudi Arabia.
• Western Balkans: Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
• Latin America & the Caribbean: Venezuela, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Cuba, Haiti, Colombia, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil.
• East Asia: China, North Korea, Mongolia, Vietnam, Myanmar.

In this article, I will explain how our team approaches the analysis of the situation in Cuba and other Latin America & Caribbean countries, highlight key issues related to human rights violations, and discuss why an expert witness report plays a crucial role in asylum cases.

What is an Expert Witness Report?
As you may know, an expert witness report is an independent analytical document used to substantiate facts, justify risks, and assess the situation in the applicant’s country of origin.
Its purpose is to demonstrate that the applicant faces a real threat of persecution and cannot return to Cuba or another Latin America & Caribbean country due to the risks involved. The report serves as witness testimony in the asylum case, providing expert insight into the situation in the applicant’s country of origin.

Why is an Expert Witness Report Essential?
An expert witness report is crucial at every stage of the asylum process:

• At the application stage: It helps establish the applicant's personal risks and their connection to the general situation in Cuba or another Latin America & Caribbean country.
• At the appeal stage: If the application has been denied, the report can be used for a detailed analysis of the immigration authority’s decision, identifying errors, and providing additional evidence.

Key Functions of an Expert Witness Report
1. Contextual Analysis
An expert witness report confirms the broader situation in Cuba and other Latin America & Caribbean countries, including political instability, repression, and conflict, citing both international and local sources.

2. Personal Risk Assessment
The report demonstrates the connection between the applicant’s individual threats and the conditions in their country. Whether it’s due to their political views, ethnicity, religion, or gender, the report will explain why they are personally at risk in Cuba or another Latin America & Caribbean country.

3. Strengthening the Evidence Base
An expert witness report verifies that the applicant belongs to a vulnerable group facing persecution. Vulnerable groups can include ethnic or religious minorities, journalists, political activists, and women, particularly in countries like Cuba, where these groups may face targeted violence.

4. Support with Credible Sources
The report references authoritative organizations such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the United Nations, and others. All sources are formatted according to the OSCOLA citation standard.

Country Expert Witness on Cuba and Latin America & Caribbean Countries
At The Human Rights, we specialize in preparing expert witness reports for asylum applicants from Cuba and other countries in the Latin America & Caribbean region. Our reports are tailored to asylum cases in the UK, USA, Canada, and the EU, ensuring compliance with immigration law standards and expert witness requirements.

We provide in-depth analysis on the human rights situation in Cuba and other Latin America & Caribbean countries, addressing issues such as:

• Political Repression and Human Rights Violations: In Cuba, the government has a long history of repressing political dissent. Political activists, journalists, human rights defenders, and anyone critical of the government face surveillance, harassment, arbitrary detention, and violence. Those who speak out against the regime, especially on social media, are frequently arrested or targeted by security forces.
• Freedom of Expression and Assembly: Freedom of expression is severely restricted in Cuba. The Cuban government controls nearly all media outlets, and independent journalists and bloggers risk being imprisoned, harassed, or exiled for sharing uncensored news or opinions. Protestors also face repression. In recent years, there has been a wave of protests, and those participating in demonstrations may be arrested, tortured, or face other forms of retaliation.
• Harassment and Persecution of LGBTQ+ Individuals: LGBTQ+ individuals in Cuba face discrimination and harassment from both state and non-state actors. Although some social acceptance has grown, members of the LGBTQ+ community can still be subjected to violence, arbitrary detention, and societal exclusion.
• Economic Hardships and Discrimination: Cuba's economy is under heavy state control, and individuals critical of the government often find it difficult to obtain employment or access basic services. The government’s limited engagement with the international community and persistent economic challenges have led to widespread poverty and lack of opportunity for many Cubans.
• Religious Persecution: While Cuba has a nominal policy of religious freedom, religious practitioners—particularly those who are seen as opposition figures or who have ties to foreign governments—can face persecution. Religious groups critical of the government may be banned or surveilled, and leaders of independent religious movements face harassment.

Why Choose Our Expert Witness Reports?
Collective Expertise & Verification
Our reports are prepared by regional country experts, researchers, and legal analysts, ensuring accuracy and depth. Every report undergoes fact-checking and validation by our senior experts before submission.

Court-Tested Reports & Expert Testimony
Our experts are available to testify in court, reinforcing the credibility of the asylum applicant’s case. We follow the highest standards of expert witness reporting, including OSCOLA citation formatting and references to leading human rights organizations (Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, UNHCR, etc.).

Customized Reports for Each Case
We tailor each report to the specific applicant’s circumstances, linking their personal risks to the broader situation in their country of origin.

Strong Track Record of Success
Our reports have played a key role in successful asylum applications and appeals, helping individuals prove their risk of persecution.