Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2003-06-04-Speech-3-242"
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"en.20030604.7.3-242"2
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".
As the Council replied to question Η-0243/03 at Question Time during the May part-session of the European Parliament, as soon as the recent wave of arrests came to light, the Presidency, on behalf of the European Union, issued public statements and proceeded with intense
towards Havana. In their bilateral contacts with the Cuban authorities, the Member States also protested strongly about the arrests and executions. The Council welcomes the resolution by the European Parliament of 10 April reinforcing the Union's clear stand against these measures.
As far as Cuba's application to accede to the Cotonou Agreement is concerned, the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs withdrew its application on 17 May.
At its meeting on 14 April, the Council approved the following conclusions:
‘The Council condemns the recent actions of the Cuban authorities, notably the executions, the large-scale arrests of dissidents, the unfair trials and the arbitrary and excessive sentences imposed. It calls for the immediate release of all political prisoners. These latest developments which mark a further deterioration in the Human Rights situation in Cuba will affect the EU's relationship with Cuba and the prospects for increased cooperation. The Council will keep the situation under close review.’
The Union also supported resolutions on the human rights situation in Cuba passed within the framework of the 59th session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. As a general comment, the Presidency of the Union issued the following declaration stating that the ΕU condemns the large-scale arrests, the unfair summary trials and the arbitrary and excessive sentences imposed on numerous dissidents for peacefully expressing their political, religious and social opinions and because they were exercising their right to take full and equal part in public life.
Consequently, the ΕU demands that those persons, whom it considers prisoners of conscience, be released without delay and also calls for the immediate release of all political prisoners. It is also deeply concerned at the continuing repression of members of the opposition.
The ΕU roundly condemns the recent executions of Cuban citizens carried out following summary trials and expresses its regret that the moratorium on the death penalty in the country has come to an end.
These latest developments, which mark a further deterioration in the human rights situation in the country, will affect the ΕU's relationship with Cuba and the prospects for increased cooperation. The ΕU will monitor violations of personal and political rights, which continue to affect the Union's relationship with Cuba, very closely.
The ΕU will continue to keep the situation under close review, especially as regards the possible exercise of legal recourse for the 78 persons convicted.
I should also like to point out that the Union is continuing to make efforts to get the political prisoners released immediately and to ensure that, in the meantime, they are not suffering or being treated inhumanely."@en1
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