Vol. 501 No. 4
70 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the meetings, if any, he has had with the Cuban authorities to impress upon them the importance of complying with human rights legislation; Ireland's policy and activities in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6388/99]
I met the Deputy Foreign Minister of Cuba, Mr. Jorge Bolanos Suarez, on 21 September last during the UN General Assembly in New York. An earlier contact took place on 3 June 1998, when the Cuban Ambassador to Britain called on the Secretary General of the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin. Most recently, officials from the Department met the Cuban Deputy Trade Minister, Mrs. Estrella Madrigal, in Dublin on 5 October.
We have fully utilised all appropriate occasions to express our concern about human rights in Cuba. We have drawn attention to the EU's insistence that full membership of the EU-ACP Convention will depend on full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
It was under Ireland's Presidency in 1996 that the EU adopted its common position on Cuba. As I indicated in my reply to the Deputy on 23 February, the common position makes clear that wholehearted co-operation with Cuba is unavoidably inhibited by the persistent absence of fundamental human and political rights. In its fourth evaluation of the common position, the General Affairs Council on 7 December last reiterated that our objective remains the encouragement of a peaceful transition to pluralist democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms as well as sustainable economic recovery and improvement in the living conditions of the Cuban people.
On behalf of all member states, EU Heads of Mission resident in Cuba have made numerous representations to the authorities designed to secure greater observance of human rights, especially the release of political prisoners. Since the Pope's visit in January 1998, we have seen an improvement, in particular a reduction in the number of such detainees. However, there is still cause for concern with imprisonments for political offences continuing. I am concerned also that trials sometimes take place without the opportunity for adequate preparation of the defence. Furthermore, recently the climate has disimproved again with tighter surveillance of dissidents and the introduction last month of new and even harsher legislation aimed at curbing opposition.
Ireland has supported a number of resolutions on human rights in Cuba at the UN Commission on Human Rights. At the forthcoming session of the commission, we will work with our partners on this issue, taking account of the recent negative developments, and we will once again call on Cuba to co-operate with all the human rights mechanisms of the UN.
