04 September 2003

European Union Condemns "Flagrant" Violation of Human Rights in Cuba, September 4, 2003

(EU calls for release of all political prisoners in Cuba)

By Eric Green
Washington File Staff Writer

Washington -- The European Union (EU) has adopted a resolution condemning what it describes as the "flagrant" violation of civil and political rights in Cuba, and calling for the immediate release of all political prisoners in the country.

In a September 4 statement, the EU said it deplores the recent deterioration of the human rights situation in Cuba, involving the arrests -- and imprisonment after summary trials -- of more than 70 dissidents and human rights activists. The EU also denounced the resumption of the death penalty in Cuba.

The EU's statement reiterates the organization's earlier denunciation in 2003 of Cuba's crackdown against dissidents and is in line with the international outcry against Cuba's policies following the recent arrests and incarceration of pro-democracy advocates by the regime of Cuban dictator Fidel Castro. The worldwide response to those events included condemnations by the U.S. Congress, the Bush Administration, and such international organizations as the United Nations and the Organization of American States.

The U.S. House of Representatives, for example, passed a resolution April 8 that condemned "systematic" human rights violations in Cuba, and called for the immediate release of all political prisoners and for free elections in the Caribbean nation. The U.S. State Department has characterized the summary trials of the Cuban dissidents as Stalinist tactics played out in a "kangaroo court."

In addition, the 15-member community of Caribbean nations known as Caricom issued its own statement in May that called for clemency for the Cuban dissidents who were jailed on charges of alleged crimes against state security.

The EU said, meanwhile, that as a result of Cuba's actions, it has decided to limit bilateral high-level governmental visits to Cuba, and to reduce the profile of EU member states' participation in Cuban cultural events.

The statement also deplored Cuba's decision to reject aid from the EU. Castro said in July he would no longer accept such aid from the EU, after he accused that body of supporting U.S. policy against his regime. The EU also said Castro's lack of economic and social reforms are making daily life harder for Cubans.

Cuban dissident leader Oswaldo Paya Sardinas will be invited to make an official visit to the EU "as soon as possible," the statement said.

The statement added that the EU favors a policy toward Cuba aimed at the adoption of "positive measures" such as the signing and application of international human rights treaties. This policy, the EU said, should encourage both Cuban authorities and the democratic opposition in Cuba to work together for a peaceful transition to democratic rule.

Such a policy, said the EU, should include incentives such as "generous cooperation programs, so as to improve respect for human rights at all levels" in Cuba.