The European Parliament condemned in plenary this Wednesday the continued violations and abuses of human rights in Cubaas well as requested that sanctions be imposed by the EU on the country and its president, Miguel Diaz-Canel.
With 359 votes in favor, 226 against and 50 abstentions, the plenary approved a resolution in which it asks the Cuban authorities to put end to the policy of repression that they have been imposing for years. MEPs call for the immediate release without consequences of all those detained for their ideas, as well as the withdrawal of their abusive criminal charges.
The approved text also talks about the visit made to the island by the high representative of the EU for Foreign Policy and Common Security, Joseph Borrell, last May. The members of the Eurocámara criticize that the socialist politician did not meet with representatives of independent civil society, political prisoners or their relatives. They consider that the trip was a “missed opportunity” in this sense because it could have produced a counterproductive effect by “whitewash” the Cuban regime.
The resolution to which the European Parliament gave the green light recalls that the agreement between the EU and Cuba for dialogue includes a human rights clause and that, in case it is broken, the pact must be suspended. The human rights crisis that is experienced day after day on the island must have a “proportional response” from the Union and each of the 27 and demand a firm and public condemnation of the repression.
The chamber also urges the Council to adopt sanctions against those responsible for the constant violations of human rights in Cuba, beginning with its president Díaz-Canel, as the highest representative of the country and of the chain of command. Said sanctions must be extrapolated to other high positions of the Cuban Government.
Parliament also considers that the EU-CELAC summit next week may be an opportunity to defend the principles of the rule of law if the attending countries sign a declaration demanding respect for human rights. In addition, it denounces Cuba for openly supporting Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and for its defense of Russia and Belarus, although this has not led the EU to take action.
