Pressrelease from the liberal group in the European Parliament 2006-02-02
Malmström:
Human rights situation has deteriorated in Cuba
At the initiative of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe who tabled an oral question to the Council at Parliament's plenary session, Members of the House are set to adopt a resolution on the Union's policy towards the Cuban government. Liberals and Democrats have rallied the major political groups behind a common text, which criticizes the Cuban authorities on several points, notably the deteriorating human rights situation.
"The situation of political prisoners is worsening in Cuba, especially in the case of freedom of expression and political association", said Cecilia MALMSTROM (Folkpartiet liberalerna, Sweden), commenting on the resolution. "The Council must increase its pressure against the aging dictator in Havana because repression against political prisoners is on the rise", she added.
The resolution also condemns the travel ban on the Sakharov Prize 2005 laureate Damas de Blanco whose members were not authorized to travel last December to Strasbourg to receive their prize. Parliament will urge the EP President to "take all possible steps to ensure that the prize winners can indeed receive the Sakharov Prize in person".
Cecilia Malmstrom also called for the Council to reflect upon its position towards Cuba: "It's high time to evaluate our policies since the Council softened its position towards Cuba a year ago. At the least, its certain that the situation in Cuba hasn't improved", she insisted.