Written Answers. - Embargo Against Cuba.
Michael D. Higgins
Ceist:
118
Mr. M. Higgins
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
the progress, if any, made with regard to the Government's stated objective of seeking an end to the US economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba.
[17949/99]
The Government wishes to see an end to the US embargo imposed against Cuba. We are working to that end in concert with our European Union partners and have consistently supported resolutions in the UN General Assembly calling for an end to the embargo.
There has been some progress. Following a visit to Cuba by two US Senators during which they held talks with President Castro, on 4 August the Senate voted by 70 to 28 in favour of exempting food and medicine from the embargo. I understand this will be the subject of consultations with the House of Representatives and the White House. Earlier this year restrictions were eased on the delivery of food and medicine to non-governmental organisations.
In accordance with the EU common position on Cuba, adopted in December 1996, our aim is to encourage a process of change, not to precipitate a collapse of authority which could bring about conflict in Cuba or mass emigration from there. But the common position also makes clear that wholehearted co-operation with Cuba is unavoidably inhibited by the persistent absence of fundamental human and political rights in that country.
After the Pope's visit to Cuba in January 1998 there had been a certain easing of repressive measures against political dissidents and a reduction in the number of political prisoners. However, subsequently the situation deteriorated again. In January 1999 the criminal law was amended to introduce new and even harsher legislation aimed at curbing dissidence.
In March 1999, four members of the Internal Dissidence Group were sentenced to terms of imprisonment. In a statement issued on 17 March, the EU expressed its deep regret at the sentences passed. It pointed out that the people convicted had exercised a freedom of expression which is recognised universally as a human right and that the EU could not accept that citizens exercising such a right should be criminalised by state authorities. The EU also rejected judicial proceedings of a political nature and expressed deep concern about the amendments to the criminal law further curtailing the exercise of the rights of citizens.
At the same time, the EU reiterated its continuing objective of encouraging a peaceful transition to pluralist democracy, with respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, as set out in the common position.
Ireland has supported a number of resolutions on human rights in Cuba at the UN Commission on Human Rights, including at this year's session. With all of our EU partners, we once again called on Cuba to co-operate with all human rights mechanisms of the UN.
The Government established diplomatic relations with Cuba yesterday.
