Shortly after the arrests of the Cuban dissidents referred to by the Deputy, the Greek EU Presidency, on 26 March 2003, issued a statement agreed by Ireland and the other partners condemning the arrests as contrary to freedom of speech, declaring the prisoners to be prisoners of conscience and demanding their release without delay. On 14 April 2003, the General Affairs and External Relations Council, GAERC, adopted conclusions on Cuba, reiterating the condemnation of the arrests, the unfair trials and the arbitrary and excessive sentences imposed. The Council called for the release of all political prisoners. The Council conclusions went on to note that these developments marked a further deterioration in the human rights situation in Cuba, which would affect the EU's relationship with Cuba and the prospects for increased co-operation. The GAERC conclusions also contained a condemnation of the summary execution on 11 April 2003 of three hijackers of a ferry-boat.
EU Heads of Mission in Havana were instructed to make a démarche on 18 April to the Cuban authorities, again strongly condemning the unprecedented wave of arrests, and the passing of severe sentences on independent journalists and members of the opposition, who were exercising their right to freedom of opinion and expression, a principle strictly upheld by the EU. The démarche noted serious deficiencies as regards the procedures and practices employed during the trials, inter alia, the lack of time for defence lawyers to prepare a proper defence, the rejection by the courts of some lawyers appointed by family members of the accused, and the barring of foreign press and diplomatic observers. It was pointed out to the Cuban authorities that the EU had concluded that the trials were not conducted in accordance with international human rights standards.