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US GOVERNMENTS REPORTS |
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04 September 2003
European Union
Condemns "Flagrant" Violation of Human Rights in Cuba
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.
(The Washington File is a product of the Bureau of International Information
Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov) |
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