Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 May 2004
100 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the situation in Cuba relating to the trial of 75 persons in connection with charges alleging attempts to subvert the constitutional order in Cuba; if his Department has had contact with the Cuban Embassy on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14511/04]
View answerFollowing the summary trial and lengthy prison sentences imposed by the Cuban authorities in March and April of last year on 75 dissidents for exercising their right to freedom of speech, the Cuban chargé d’affaires was summoned to my Department where the Government’s very serious view of the unacceptable actions of the Cuban authorities was clearly conveyed.
The grave violations of international human rights standards caused the EU to implement the following diplomatic measures on 5 June 2003: a limitation on bilateral high-level governmental visits; a reduction in the profile of participation in cultural events; the inviting of Cuban dissidents to national day events at EU embassies in Havana; and the decision to proceed to an early re-evaluation of the EU common position, six months before the due date.
On 16 June 2003, the General Affairs and External Relations Council, GAERC, adopted conclusions in which it reaffirmed its grave concern about the deterioration of the human rights situation and called for the release of all political prisoners. Referring to certain provocative conduct on the part of the Cuban authorities vis-à-vis the EU and its member states, the Council made it clear that it regarded such behaviour as unacceptable. This was a reference to the fact that official mass demonstrations, headed by President Castro, had been mounted against the embassies of two member states in Havana and that the Cuban state media had conducted an unacceptable campaign of personal vilification against certain EU Heads of Government.
The human rights situation in Cuba was deemed to be so serious that the matter was taken up by Heads of State and Government at the European Council on 20 June 2003. Endorsing the GAERC conclusions of 16 June, the European Council reiterated the EU's deep concern regarding the violation of fundamental freedoms in Cuba. Heads of State and Government also deplored and rejected the "totally unacceptable behaviour of the Cuban authorities vis à vis the EU and its member states”.
Notwithstanding this unacceptable conduct on the part of the Cuban authorities, on 21 July 2003 the GAERC reconfirmed the positive objectives of the EU common position on Cuba, namely, to encourage through dialogue rather than isolation a process of transition to pluralist democracy and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as a lasting economic recovery and an improvement in living standards of the Cuban people. The Council also reaffirmed the validity of constructive engagement with Cuba, to be continued through political dialogue so that tangible results might be achieved, particularly in the political, economic and human rights spheres.
However, not only has there been no improvement this year in the human rights situation in Cuba but recent weeks have seen an actual deterioration with the sentencing of a further group of 13 Cuban rights activists and journalists, all of whom were arrested while peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression, opinion, association and assembly. In response, the Irish Presidency, on behalf of the European Union, issued a declaration on 13 May 2004 expressing its concern at these events and calling on the Cuban authorities to release all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience without delay. It also called for Cuba's compliance with international rights standards and norms for the treatment of prisoners. In addition to the publication of the declaration, the Cuban chargé d’affaires was summoned to my Department where these concerns were conveyed directly to her.
