WRITTEN QUESTION No. 760/99 by Roberto SPECIALE Civil and political rights in Cuba
Date: 1999-03-29
Institutions: European Parliament, SPECIALE
Subjects: Cuba, civil rights, democracy, dissidence, freedom of expression, freedom of opinion, imprisonment, political rights, right to demonstrate, the EU's international role

3.12.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 348/129

in consultation with the Cypriot government,
Based on this request, the Commission has sponsored,
bi-communal activities both inside and outside the island that have resulted in a better understanding of
the Union and its policies and in reinforcing direct contacts between the two Cypriot communities. The
Commission, however, has not financed any ‘institutions’ or ‘organizations’ that have their seat in the north of
Cyprus.

(1999/C 348/175)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0760/99

by Roberto Speciale (PSE) to the Commission

(29 March 1999)

Subject: Civil and political rights in Cuba

Four political dissidents, in detention for more than 18 months without their rights being protected in any
way, are currently being ‘tried’ in Cuba. At the same time dozens of dissidents are in custody or preventive
detention apparently in order to prevent any demonstration of public protest.

These people (intellectuals and journalists) are accused of having expressed opinions and drafting a text
entitled ‘The country belongs to everyone’.

1. What has the Commission done and what does it intend to do to convey to the Cuban authorities the
EU’s firm opposition to a method that violates basic civil and political rights and to call for the release of the
dissidents?

2.
How does the Commission intend to again urge an end to the unreasonable and harmful economic
blockade imposed by the USA 40 years ago and the opening up of Cuban society to political pluralism and
freedom of thought and speech repeatedly called for by the European Parliament?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission

(21 April 1999)

The Cuban courts have sentenced the members of the Grupo de Trabajo de la Disidencia Interna (Internal
Dissidents’ Working Group), Vladimiro Roca (five years), Félix Antonio Bonne (four years), René Gómez (four
years) and Marta Roque (three years) after putting them on trial for having exercised their right to freedom of
expression, a right which is universally recognised.

Once the trial verdict was made public, the European Union immediately issued a statement expressing its
deep regret at the dissidents’ sentences and the way in which the trial had been conducted; it called for the four
to be rapidly released.

The Commission will continue to use the means at its disposal to give positive encouragement to the process
of transition to pluralist democracy and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, in the context of
the Common Position of 2 December 1996.

Against this background, the Commission has been closely monitoring the state of human rights and
fundamental freedoms in Cuba and has been taking part in the European Union’s political dialogue. It has also
been providing humanitarian aid and targeted economic assistance to encourage the country to open up its
economy to the outside.

(1999/C 348/176)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0763/99

by Petrus Cornelissen (PPE) to the Commission

(11 March 1999)

Subject: Avalanche disasters in the Alps

1.
Does the Commission propose to contribute to the debate on possible measures to limit as far as possible
the likelihood of avalanche disasters in the Alps, and the consequences of such disasters when they do occur?