WRITTEN QUESTION E-3494/03 by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission. Cuba — political prisoners.
Date: 2003-11-24
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Cuba, EU relations, human rights, hunger strike, political prisoner, prison system, torture

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/565

Since the olive-oil sector is already strongly oriented towards the market, the Commission does not expect
significant reductions in production levels in Portugal after the reform comes into effect. The Commission
proposal also includes maintaining the current level of support for the olive-oil sector in each producer
Member State, while decoupling will enable the grower support level to stabilise regardless of annual
harvest fluctuations.

The Commission considers that equilibrium will be achieved if the whole olive-oil sector is committed to
continuous quality improvement, thereby stimulating sustained growth in demand.

Since export refunds ceased in 1998, sales of Community olive oil in third countries have increased by
50 %. This proves most clearly the instrument’s lack of effectiveness as regards promoting growth in
Community olive oil exports. It therefore seems appropriate to abolish a mechanism which no longer
serves a useful purpose.

The Commission considers that refunds for the manufacture of certain olive-oil preserves are no longer
necessary because olive oil’s good image means that consumers are now prepared to pay more for
foodstuffs containing it. Once again, market demand based on product quality will be determinant in
developing outlets for olive-oil use.

By the same token, there is no apparent justification for reintroducing olive-oil consumption aid. It would
not help to control production and would entail the management problems familiar from past experience.

(2004/C 78 E/0600)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3494/03

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(24 November 2003)

Subject: Cuba (cid:1) political prisoners

According to information provided by the members of
Ibarra Roque,
Honorary President of the Partido Democrático 30 de Noviembre ‘Frank País’ (PD-30-N) was tortured,
shackled and dragged along the floor of the Combinado des Este prison in Havana on 16 October 2003,
the day on which he began a hunger strike as a form of protest, demanding respect for (his) human rights,
separate custody from common criminals, who are threatening and insulting him, and his right to refuse
to wear the same uniform as the other prisoners.

the Cuban resistance, Rafael

Pedro Argüelles Morán, editor of the Cooperativa Avilena de Periodistas Independientes (CAPI), one of the
26 independent journalists arrested and sentenced during the wave of persecution last March, who is also
being held in a punishment cell in the same block of the prison, has apparently joined this hunger strike.

Reports on the two prisoners’ health are alarming. Both are heavily dehydrated, and they have been
refused any form of medical assistance.

Since October 14, Arturo Suárez Ramos has been in the same situation.

Five other members of the Cuban resistance, who are imprisoned in Holguin, and are also on hunger
strike, likewise deserve particular attention.

The Commission:

(cid:1) what information does it have as to the health of these political prisoners? What information does it
have about the ill treatment and abuse to which Cuban political prisoners are subjected on a daily
basis;

C 78 E/566

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

27.3.2004

(cid:1) what measures has it taken or does it intend to take to encourage the Cuban authorities to provide

decent treatment for prisoners who are quite obviously not common criminals;

(cid:1) what means does it intend to use to increase European political pressure on the Cuban regime in

favour of freedom, democracy and the respect of citizens’ basic rights?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(29 January 2004)

The Delegation of the Commission in Havana has been informed that two political prisoners in
1.
Holguin Ivan Hernandez Carrillo and Angel Moya Acosta, have been held in punishment cells, since
October 17 and 18 respectively. The Delegation was informed, as well, that five political prisoners in the
same prison were in hunger strike in protest of the punishment of their fellows, since October 18. The
names of these five political prisoners on hunger strike are: Antonio Díaz Sánchez, Alfredo Dominguez
Batista, Adolfo Fernández Sainz, Mario Enrique Mayo y Arnaldo Ramos Lauzerique.

The Delegation of the Commission has also been reported that the three political prisoners mentioned by
the Honourable Member, i.e. Rafael Ibarra Roque, Pedro Arguelles Morán and Arturo Suárez Ramos, have
been subject to cruel and degrading treatment or punishment, as well as other political prisoners including
Oscar Elias Biscet, Francisco Chaviano, Nestor Rodriguez Lovaina, Oscar Espinosa Chepe and Juan Carlos
Gonzalez Leiva.

On November 28 the Human Rights Working Group of Union embassies in Cuba held a meeting were
Mr Oswaldo Paya, recipient of the Sakharov prize 2002, was invited to attend. Mr Paya reported on the
pressure under which dissidents as well as relatives of political prisoners were living, and expressed his
deep concern about the health situation of prisoners, and in particular those currently on hunger strike.
Mr Paya essentially deplored: withholding food rations for political prisoners (cid:1) hunger being used as a
the
punishment; restrictions of visits when abuse,
unbearable state of punishment cells (no light, no WC, rats);
lack of appropriate treatment of sick
prisoners.

torture or inhuman treatment was denounced;

The Commission, through its Delegation in Havana, is a member of the Human Rights Working
2.
Group of Union Embassies in Cuba. To ensure coherence and provide leverage the Commission will not
act independently of the Member States. Measures are taken in full consent with the Member States and on
the basis of a previously agreed course of action at Union level. The Commission participates as well in all
Troika demarches, including those related to human rights matters.

3.
limit
The Commission fully implements the measures taken by the Council on 5 June 2003 e.g.
bilateral high level governmental visits, reduce the profile of Member States’ participation in cultural events
and invite Cuban dissidents at national days celebrations.

(2004/C 78 E/0601)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3502/03

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(24 November 2003)

Subject: Air quality standards in areas of heavy traffic

Increasing levels of traffic and the atmospheric and noise pollution associated with these increases are a
regular topic for discussion in South Tyrol, which is a transit region. The limit values for particulates and
nitrogen oxides need to be tightened up, and stricter emission controls are necessary. Fine dust particles
absorb toxic substances, accumulate in the lungs and cause severe respiratory diseases, and these noxious
emissions are mainly caused by heavy goods traffic on transit routes. Although particulate filters are