EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/22

(2004/C 88 E/0024)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1347/03

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(10 April 2003)

Subject: Human rights abuses in Cuba

There are reports that a Cuban human rights activist Dr Oscar Elias Biscet was arrested in December of last year for attending an informal and peaceful human rights meeting one month after being released from prison. He is believed to be held in the Combinado del Este prison in Havana and has been assigned the case number 244 (2002), File No 2903007. It has been reported that he is also being denied medical treatment for a serious gum condition, which may mean that he loses all his teeth.

Does the Commission have any information on Dr Biscet's state of health and whereabouts and on the circumstances of his arrest? In particular, is the Commission in a position to verify that his political activities were of a non-violent nature and has the Commission raised the question of his treatment with the authorities in Havana?

Finally, does the Commission accept that continuing reports of failure to allow prisoners access to proper medical care, including, on occasion, life-saving treatment, constitute the most serious form of humanitarian human rights abuse in Cuba today and, if so, has the Commission indicated the importance attached by many within the European Union across the political spectrum of the need to respect the fundamental rights of prisoners? Has the Commission indicated that improvements in our relationship with Cuba, including Membership of Cotonou, are dependent upon greater respect for human rights and, in particular, on the treatment of prisoners?

Joint answer

to Written Questions E-1295/03, E-1311/03 and E-1347/03

given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(15 May 2003)

The respect of human rights in Cuba remains a cause of serious concern for the Union and the Commission is following this matter very closely.

The Commission has repeatedly drawn the attention of the Cuban authorities to the human rights situation in general and arbitrary detentions, intimidation of political opponents and imprisonment on political grounds in particular.

The Commission is closely following the matter of the recent detention and sentencing of 75 dissidents and independent journalists in Cuba, including Dr Oscar Elias Biscet González, Raul Rivero, Marta Beatriz Roque, Hector Palácios and Oscar Espinosa Chepe particularly through our Delegation in Havana.

These latest developments mark a further deterioration in the human rights situation, which cannot but seriously affect the Union's relations with Cuba.

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. Furthermore, various bilateral démarches vis-à-vis Cuban Ambassadors have been undertaken over the past few days in European capitals.

Another Union statement was published on 14 April 2003, condemning once again the large-scale arrest of dissidents, the unfair trials and the arbitrary and excessive sentences imposed. It also calls for the immediate release of all political prisoners. It will be followed by a new Union démarche in Havana.

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 bring the cases of Dr Biscet, Ms Roque and Messrs Rivero, Palácios and Chepe to the attention of the Cuban authorities, and will follow this matter closely, exerting continued political pressure on the Cuban authorities.