Mr. Rodrigo Malmierca Diaz,
Ambassador of Cuba to the European Union
Roberts-Jonesstraat 77
1180 Brussels
Dear Mr. Ambassador: In the course of last year, I was in contact at several occasions with your predecessor, Mr. René J. Mujica Cantelar.
We had an exchange of letters concerning the role of the opposition movement in Cuba and the situation of human rights.
It has just come to my knowledge that at least 23 persons working for democracy and human rights in Cuba were arrested by the police a few hours ago.
Among these persons are Jorge Olivera, Oswaldo Alfonso, Ricardo González Alfonso, Luis Cino, Miguel Galbán, Jorge L. García Paneque, Librado Linares, Léster González, Ariel y Miguel Sigler Amaya, Enrique Pérez, José Antonio Pérez Morell, Iván Hernández Carrillo, Antonio Pérez Alejo, Roberto de Miranda, Edel José García, Orlando Fundora, Pedro Argüelles and José Ramón Gabril Castillo.
In addition to those mentioned above, there is approximately 250 political prisoners in Cuba.
As the crisis in Iraq risks to overshadow the oppression of the democracy movement in Cuba, your government seems to use this opportunity to step up the crackdown on the political opposition.
However, I would like you to know that the European Parliament stands firm in its criticism towards the policies pursued by your government towards democrats and human rights defenders in Cuba.
We also follow closely the human rights abuse taking place in Cuba, as well as in any other country where it may occur.
The European Union and Cuba have recently increased its cooperation. This became particularly evident by the opening of a European Commission delegation in Havana only last week.
The EU is also currently in negotiations with Cuba over the Cotonou Agreement. The Cotonou Agreement, currently covering a number of countries in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific, clearly sets out that a party signing the agreement needs to pay full respect to human rights and fundamental freedoms, as laid down in international conventions.
The events taking place in Cuba this morning are nothing but a clear breach of basic human rights standards. Considering this, I can see not other solution than a complete suspension of the negotiations over Cotonou, as well as an immediate closing of the Commission's delegation in Havana.
I hereby appeal to the Cuban government to make sure that the 23 members of the democracy movement that were arrested today, as well as all other political prisoners, are immediately released from custody.
I also urge you, Mr. Ambassador, to forward my protest and this appeal to the government in Havana.
Yours sincerely,
