European Union says that it does require Cuba to respect human rights

The special representative of the European Union (EU) for Human Rights, Eamon Gilmore, has assured that he will continue to demand that Havana respect fundamental freedoms, but within the framework of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and Cuba.

According to a letter from Gilmore to Cubans for Democracy, which this Madrid-based NGO is releasing this Saturday, the EU official says that it continues to ask Cuba “to release those who have been arbitrarily detained” after the anti-government protests of 11 September. last July.

“The repression after last year’s protests, including the numerous individual cases, are a matter of great concern to the EU,” he says in the letter, in which he demands “justice” as well as a “fair trial” for all those prosecuted.

It also points out that “the EU unequivocally supports the right of Cubans to express their opinions peacefully and demand change.”

Gilmore argues that the protests of July 11 of last year in Cuba “reflected legitimate grievances of the Cuban people due to the serious economic situation in the country” and reiterates the community bloc’s demand for an “inclusive dialogue” on the island.

The EU special representative for Human Rights underlines that the demands of the community bloc to Havana will continue to be articulated through the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement, a text that some sectors in Cuba and Europe demand that the EU break, alleging human rights violations by Cuba.

“The EU reiterates its policy of critical interaction with Cuba within the framework of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement,” says Gilmore.

According to the Cuban Attorney General’s Office, 790 people -including 55 minors- have been prosecuted “for acts of vandalism, which attacked authorities, people and property, as well as serious disturbances of order” in relation to the protests last July.

Several NGOs, such as Justicia 11J and Prisoners Defenders, have presented records with higher numbers of indictments.

It is not the first time that the EU special representative has responded to independent activists and NGOs about the situation in the Caribbean country after July 11.

Last September, the EU asked the Cuban government for “the immediate release of all prisoners arbitrarily detained” in reaction to the complaint by the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights.

Some MEPs have demanded in recent months the participation of civil society and the opposition in the social and political life of Cuba, a request that the Cuban National Assembly (unicameral parliament) has rejected. (I)