# CE2004078EN.01072002.xml

| 27.3.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 78/720 |
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27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 78/720

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(2004/C 78 E/0770)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1650/03

by Hanja Maij-Weggen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(16 May 2003)

Subject:   Detention of Oscar E. Biscet in Cuba

Subject:

On 10 April 2003 in Strasbourg, the European Parliament adopted a resolution in which it called on the Commission to promote positive change with regard to the human rights situation in Cuba.

Among the victims of Fidel Castro's regime is Dr Oscar E. Biscet González, the founder of the Lawton Foundation for Human Rights and an activist for the promotion of democracy and human rights in Cuba. After three years' imprisonment in Holguin, Dr Biscet was released on 31 October 2002. On 6 December 2002, he was re-arrested on a charge of associating with other human rights activists. On 7 April 2003, he was sentenced to 25 years' imprisonment. Since 24 April 2003, Dr Biscet has been transferred to the prison in Piñar del Rio, where he is being held in solitary confinement.

Is the Commission aware of the detention and ill-treatment of activists like Dr Biscet?

What has the Commission done to comply with the request set out in the resolution referred to above, and what has the Commission been able to do in the specific case of Dr Biscet?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(18 June 2003)

(18 June 2003)

The Commission is closely following the human rights situation in Cuba and the recent detention and sentencing of 75 dissidents and independent journalists in Cuba, including Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet González.

The Commission, together with the Member States, has strongly condemned such arrests in a declaration published on 26 March 2003, which was followed by a Union démarche in Havana to urge the Cuban authorities to allow the prisoners' immediate release. A second Union démarche in Havana took place on 18 April 2003, following the Foreign Ministers' statement issued on 14 April 2003.

Further measures have recently been agreed, including limits to high-level visits.

The grave concern felt was also highlighted in the Union's statement on ‘Human Rights in the World’, at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in Geneva in April 2003. The statement called for the prompt release of those arrested whom the Union considers to be prisoners of opinion.

The Commission decided on 30 April 2003 to defer the examination of the Cuban application for accession to the Cotonou Agreement, signalling that these recent developments are not conducive to co-operation between the Union and Cuba. The Cuban authorities decided on 16 May 2003 to withdraw their application.

Through these actions, the Cuban authorities have been made aware that detentions on political grounds are not acceptable and that the Union urges the release of prisoners held due to their opinions or political activities. In this context, we will certainly also bring the case of Dr Oscar Elias Biscet to the attention of the Cuban authorities, and will follow this matter closely, exerting continued political pressure on the Cuban authorities.

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