WRITTEN QUESTION E-1347/03 by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Human rights abuses in Cuba.
Date: 2003-04-10
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Cuba, EU relations, human rights, political prisoner, political violence

C 88 E/22

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

(2004/C 88 E/0022)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1295/03

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(7 April 2003)

Subject: Cuba (cid:1) political prisoners

There are reports that on 20 March 2003, the Cuban police arrested the writer and journalist Raúl Rivero,
making that the third successive day of arrests of opposition leaders. When he was arrested,
in the
presence of his aged mother, he was apparently not even told why.

The economist Marta Beatriz Roque, who is the chairman of the Civil Society Association, Hector Palácios,
the spokesman of the ‘Todos Unidos’ group, the economist Óscar Espinosa Chepe and some 60 other
political activists in various other towns have apparently also been arrested.

These arrests are apparently on the basis of Cuban Government accusations that those being held were
involved in a ‘conspiracy’ with the US Government.

Can the Commission answer the following:

(cid:1) what information does the Commission have about the situation? How does the Commission view

these arrests;

(cid:1) what approaches has the recently-established Commission Delegation made to the Cuban authorities;

(cid:1) to what extent and in what direction do these events affect Commission policy with regard to the

Cuban regime?

(2004/C 88 E/0023)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1311/03

by Bill Newton Dunn (ELDR) to the Commission

(7 April 2003)

Subject: The imprisonment of Dr Oscar Ellis Biscet by the Cuban authorities

The Commission may be aware of the imprisonment of Dr Oscar Ellias Biscet, a Cuban human rights
activist, by the Cuban authorities.

Has the Commission:

1. Made representations to the Cuban Government about the imprisonment of Dr Oscar Ellias Biscet?

2. Other plans, to try to ensure that the Cuban authorities respect the human rights of their citizens?

(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?

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Official Journal of the European Union

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including, on occasion,

Finally, does the Commission accept that continuing reports of failure to allow prisoners access to proper
medical care,
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?

life-saving treatment, constitute the most serious

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.

(2004/C 88 E/0025)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1312/03

by Bill Newton Dunn (ELDR) to the Commission

(7 April 2003)

Subject: The situation of Mrs Siham Qandah, a Jordanian Christian

The Commission may be aware of the situation of Mrs Siham Qandah, a Jordanian Christian whose
husband died in 1994 whilst serving in the Jordanian Army. After his death the Jordanian authorities
claimed that he had converted to Islam and have subsequently confiscated his children to ensure that they
are raised as Muslims.