EU Council Conclusions on Cuba - 2737 External Relations Council Meeting  (12/6/2006)

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EU Council Conclusions on Cuba - 2737 External Relations Council Meeting

The Council adopted the following conclusions:

1. The Council reaffirmed the relevance and validity of the objectives of the Common Position of 1996 and reiterated that a constructive engagement and a critical and comprehensive dialogue at all levels remained the basis for the European Union’s policy towards Cuba. The Council underlined its determination to pursue a genuine dialogue with the Cuban authorities as well as with Cuba’s peaceful political opposition and civil society. Using the fullest range of its resources available, the EU will continue to offer to all sectors of society practical support towards peaceful change in Cuba.
   
   
2. The Council deplores the further deterioration of the human rights situation in Cuba since the last evaluation in June 2005.
   
   The Council noted that the number of political prisoners in Cuba had risen over the past twelve months according to Cuban human rights organisations to more than 330 documented cases, including several individuals detained without charge or trial since 2005. In addition, hundreds of young Cuban citizens had been detained and sentenced under the Penal Code stipulation of “propensity to commit a crime”.
   
   The Council once again urged the Cuban government to unconditionally release all political prisoners, including the group of 75 who were detained and sentenced in 2003.
   
   
3. Of particular concern was the staging since July 2005 of several dozen acts of violent harassment and intimidation, including acts of repudiation. The Council expressed its concern at reports that some acts of repudiation are taking place with the collusion of police and security forces. In any case, the Cuban authorities are not fulfilling their obligations to protect all citizens. The Council urgently called on the Government of Cuba to take prompt action to stop the ongoing harassment and to undertake every effort to effectively prevent its resumption.
   
   The Council strongly condemned these acts and other restrictions of fundamental civil and political rights which are guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights obligations to which Cuba, as a UN member and signatory of relevant Declarations, is party. The Council reminded the Cuban authorities in particular of their responsibilities regarding the basic rights of free access to information, freedom of expression, association and assembly, privacy and due process of law. The EU will continue to monitor closely policies of the Cuban government with respect to human rights.
   
   The Council recalled the commitments required of all members elected to Human Rights Council to uphold the highest standards in the promotion and protection of human rights.
   
   
4. The EU would welcome the resumption of a political dialogue with the Cuban authorities. This dialogue should include the issue of human rights and take place on a reciprocal and non-discriminatory basis. The Council urged the Cuban government, with a view to promoting a positive and mutually beneficial dialogue, to show its commitment to dialogue by making concrete improvements in the human rights situation. The Council underlined that every high-level visitor should raise human rights concerns with the Cuban authorities.
   
   
5. The Council expressed concern that the Cuban government had rolled back reforms leading to a tentative economic opening. The Council regretted that these restrictions had further curtailed the space for private economic initiatives.
   
   The Council underlined that the EU continued to stand ready to provide development co-operation, including projects that promote sustainable economic growth and improvements in the living standards of the Cuban people.
   
   
6. The Council took note of the sixteenth Evaluation of the European Union Common Position on Cuba and decided to extend the suspension of diplomatic measures taken on 5 June 2003 until the next Evaluation of the Common Position in June 2007.
   The Council decided to start working on a mid-and long-term strategy on Cuba.
   

Ref: CL06-122EN

EU source: Council

UN forum: 

Date: 12/6/2006