In Touch

12 June 2006 will be remembered as another sad moment of the European diplomacy. The results of the Council's meeting showed a very unfortunate sign of the EU's inconsequence in the field of Democracy and Human Rights. The Council's conclusions regarding Cuba are frustrating, disappointing and shameful to all freedom-loving Europeans. The EU representatives at the highest level were incapable of recognizing the validity of the numerous appeals made by Cuban democrats, world leaders, members of the European Parliament and of National Parliaments, political parties and Human Rights NGOs calling for re-establishment of diplomatic sanctions that were suspended in January 2005.

Contradictory with its own factual justification, this decision does not even respect the European Parliament's resolutions on the subject and demonstrates an appalling lack of commitment with the EU's basic values.

The expression "constructive engagement and a critical and comprehensive dialogue with Cuba" will continue to lack a practical meaning, unless we immediately resume the constant invitation of dissidents as our guests to events organized by the Embassies of the Member-States and the Commission's Delegation in Havana. In this difficult context we must grant to Oswaldo Payá and the Damas de Blanco the position of EU guests of honour to our free diplomatic legations and this may be a means to signify to the Cuban regime that the European peoples did not abandon and will never let down the winners of the 2002 and 2005 Sakharov Prize. These invitations cannot be regarded as sanctions but as a simple and indispensable expression of our own freedom.

There should be an EU effort to grant access to the internet for dissidents that are prevented from having contact with the outside world and to support the creation and maintenance of independent libraries. Without this and without a permanent struggle to implement constant visits to political prisoners and their families by European diplomats, human rights NGOs and humanitarian agencies, namely the Red Cross, the Council's words will be just words.

It is regrettable that the Council did not take this opportunity to fully commit itself in the struggle for the dignity and freedom of the Cuban people.
Words just are not enough.

José RIBEIRO E CASTRO
EPP-ED spokesman for Human Rights in Cuba

For further information:
Office of José Ribeiro e Castro MEP, Tel: +32 2 2845783
Marek Hannibal, EPP-ED Press Service, Tel: +32 475 753048

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