Speech for the Com. for democracy in Cuba, Stockholm 2006-02-06
Malmström:
Democratic Change in Cuba: Who Are the Actors?
Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends
Last Wednesday we debated Cuba in the European Parliament. It was a special debate requested by the liberal group as a way to show our concern for the deteriorating situation on the island. For once the climate was not as infected as it usually is when we discuss Cuba. We can easily condemn all kind of violations of human rights all over the world, but when it comes to Cuba, something happens. There is some sort of mysterious revolutionary romantic air over Fidel Castro and Cuba, something that always make it difficult to discuss this particular dictatorship. However, for once, today almost everybody is greatly concerned by the situation in Cuba and our resolution was accepted with a very big majority.
The European Parliament has a long history of paying attention to Cuba. Since 1987 there has been no less than 25 urgency resolutions condemning the regime and calling for the release of political prisoners. Many individuals are also very engaged in promoting democracy and human rights in Cuba. We have held seminars and workshops on Cuba and in December 2002 – again by an initiative by the Liberal group, Mr Oswaldo Paya and his Varela Project was given the prestigious Sasharov Prize. The Sasharov Prize – named after the great Alexander Sasharov - is a yearly prize given to an individual or an organisation that strive for freedom of speech, the defence of human rights and against intolerance, fanatism and hatred. Is has formerly been awarded to prominent personalities such as Nelson Mandela, Aung San Suu Kyi, United Nations Taslima Nasreen, Alexander Dubzec and Xanana Gusmao.
The Prize was given to Mr Paya personally but also in the name of all courageous people in Cuba. His referendum initiative impressed many of us and we thought he was a worthy winner of the prize. By the award, we managed thus to put a well needed focus on the events on the island. Until the very start of the ceremony it was unclear whether Castro would let Paya out or not, but finally he came and could collect his prize.
Shortly after the ceremony the Cuba regime started the big crack down on the dissidents and 75 human rights activists and journalists where condemned.
The European Union has had a quite firm attitude towards Castro since 1986. Cuba has not been given access to the favourable trade agreement – so called Cotonou – between the EU and the Latin American countries. Dialogue with the regime has been kept to a minimum and the opposition has been getting support and access to EU Embassies to meet and discuss. However this line changed a year ago when, under hard pressure from the new Spanish Prime Minister Zapatero, a softer line was adopted. The Foreign Ministers claimed they saw a window of opportunity and wanted to open a dialogue with Castro and minimise the contacts with the dissidents. This new line was heavily criticised by the European Parliament.
Also the Commission thought it was a mistake to change the position towards the Castro regime. The EU commission now has 13 cooperation programs with different NGOs in Cuba and they have regular contacts with the family of the dissidents. The dissidents can also meet at the Commission’s office. However these measures seam incoherent and badly thought through as they lack strategic planning. There is no co-ordinated and consistent plan for how Europe should act and support a coming transition.
One year later we can see that there has been no improvements in Cuba. The dissidents are still in prison and many of them suffer from malnutrition and diseases. My friend Hector Palacios, founder of Todos Unidos, is very sick and the doctors fear for his life. Hector is a well-known dissident and is condemned to 25 years of prison for preaching freedom and democracy. Others, such as Adolfo Sainz, a journalist who got 15 years, has lost 20 kilos.
Dissidents outside prison are regularly harassed and humiliated and last spring a group of young people were arrested on a preventive basis – in case they might to something wrong.
The European Parliament again focused its attention on Cuba in last year’s Sasharovprize, this time by giving it to Damas de Blanco, the wives and daughters of the imprisoned dissidents. These courageous ladies dress in white every Saturday and marsh silently to protest against the fate of their husbands. Nobody from the organisation was aloud to leave Cuba in order to come to Strasbourg and collect the prize. This outraged the European Parliament who have protested and the debate last Wednesday shows that there is a growing consensus that the situation on Cuba is alarming and that Europe has to assume its responsibilities.
What can we do?
· We must be very firm towards the Castro regime and tirelessly urge the release of the prisoners. The human rights situation must at all occasions be pointed out. The change of the common position must be revised and it must be acknowledged that it was a mistake.
· The Embassies of the European Union member states must be opened again to the dissidents. They need a place where they can meet, have access to computers where they can send emails abroad, and a place where they might participate in videoconferences with politicians in Europe. The dissidents and the different organisations of the civil society (such as the bibliotecas independientes, the Varela project, Mesa de reflection, independent journalists and other initiatives) should be supported in a more strategic and coherent way in order to pave way for a transition. Many EU countries have an own experience in passing from dictatorship to democracy transitions and these lessons can be very helpful in assisting Cuba.
· We must give humanitarian aid to the families and relatives of the political prisoners
· We should send a delegation from the European Parliament to Havana in order to give the Sasharov Prize to representatives of Damas de Blanco and meet with former laureate Oswaldo Paya.
· We must seek co-ordinated actions with our Latin American friends and the US. The US should be encouraged to lift the embargo.
As the world's focus is on the Middle East we shall not forget that other more “low intensive conflicts” also demands attention. Fidel Castro has kept his people from democracy and basic rights since 1959. Poverty and despair is growing. The Cuban people have, as every body else, the right to freedom, democracy and a better life. Ultimately only they can change their own future. But we in Sweden and in the European Union can help. The European cooperation is based on the defence of certain values and we cannot let the Cuban people down. We have a moral obligation to support the Cuban people to achieve their dreams and live in a society where the rule of law and human rights are respected.
Thank you for your attention.