The European Parliament,

A. deploring the use of capital punishment, particularly for

political crimes,

B. having regard to the execution in Cuba on 20 January 1992

of Eduardo Diaz Betancourt, who was accused of being the

leader of a terrorist group,

C. whereas President Castro rejected numerous appeals for

clemency by several leading Latin American figures such as

the Presidents of Colombia and Ecuador, the author Gabriel

García Márquez and the Spanish Government,

D. deeply concerned that Luis Miguel Almeida Pérez and René

Salmeron Mendoza are to be executed after being sentenced

to death on 5 February following a summary trial by the

Havana People's Provincial Court for the killing of police

officers while attempting to flee Cuba,

E. having regard to the detention in Cuba of María Elena Cruz

Varela, President of 'Criterio Alternativo', and other

members of this internal opposition group in Cuba on 26

November 1991, and of Sebastian Arcos, the brother of the

militant human rights leader, Gustavo Arcos,

F. whereas Cuba figures among those countries in which the

death penalty remains in force,

G. recalling its earlier resolutions on Cuba,

1. Condemns these violations of human rights in Cuba;

2. Calls on the Cuban Government to abolish the death penalty;

3. Strongly condemns the execution of Eduardo Diaz Betancourt

in Cuba, together with all other executions;

4. Calls on the Cuban Government, Supreme Court and Council

of State to commute the death sentences passed on Luis

Miguel Almeida Pérez and René Salmeron Mendoza;

5. Calls for the immediate release of all Cubans such as Maria

Elena Cruz Varela and Sebastian Arcos whose sole crime has

been to demand respect for human rights and the

establishment of democracy, and condemns any attempt by the

Cuban authorities to equate peaceful demonstrations with

terrorist activity;

6. Urges the Cuban population to reject the use of violence;

considers it legitimate, however, to wish to leave and

return to their own country;

7. Reiterates its appeal to the totalitarian Cuban regime to

create the necessary conditions for the introduction of a

democratic process in Cuba;

8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the

Commission, the Council, European Political Cooperation,

the Secretary-General of the Organization of American

States and the Cuban Government.