Havana, Dec 4 (RHC) Several messages today reaffirmed the rights of religious communities in Cuba and expressed their rejection of the country´s inclusion in a list of nations in which according to the United States this freedom is allegedly violated.

Deputy Caridad Diego, head of the Office of Attention to Religious Affairs of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, pointed out on Twitter that the island's religious institutions enjoy the right to practice their beliefs, with adherence to the Law and respect among all.

She added that believers and non-believers participate in the development of society, and assured that many have been and will be the activities that this sector organizes as part of the religious freedom endorsed by the Constitution.

In response to her tweet, the Quisicuaba Project also condemned Washington's attitude and pointed out that the Caribbean nation has a secular state that guarantees religious freedom and has never attacked any form of manifestation of faith.

Last Friday, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez repudiated the arbitrary designation of the country in the list drawn up by the U.S. government, which "needs to resort to dishonest accusations to maintain its unsustainable policy of abuse against the Cuban people".

"It is known that in Cuba there is religious freedom," he said.

On December 2, the Caribbean nation and Nicaragua were included in a list unilaterally created by Washington, of countries that in that government's opinion systematically violate religious freedom, which entails possible sanctions.

Press reports indicate that in the list of "Countries of Special Concern", elaborated annually by the State Department, countries such as China, Saudi Arabia, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Russia, Iran, Pakistan, Myanmar, Eritrea, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan were included again this year.

As established by Washington, the countries appearing on its arbitrary list are subject to possible sanctions such as the cancellation of scientific and cultural exchanges, suspension of development assistance, and blocking of loans or export restrictions. (Prensa Latina)