RESOLUTION B3-1680/92

Resolution on the continued imprisonment of Maria Elena Cruz Varela

The European Parliament,

A. shocked by the continued persecution of Maria Elena Cruz Varela by the Cuban authorities,

B. recalling that she was sentenced to two years imprisonment on 27 November 1991 by summary procedures for 'disrespect for the institutions of Cuba', 'insulting the heroes of Cuba' and 'illegal association',

C. believing that the real reason for her imprisonment is that, as a distinguished poet, her signature of the 'Declaration of Cuban Intellectuals' published in June 1991 which called inter alia for free elections, was a grave embarrassment to the Cuban regime,

D. distressed by reports that she is imprisoned in harsh conditions in the Combinado del Sur prison in Matanzas province and may be being subjected to psychotropic drugs against her will,

E. recalling its previous resolutions on human rights abuses in Cuba,

1. Calls on the Cuban Government to release Maria Elena Cruz Varela immediately;

2. Urges European Political Cooperation to make plain to the Cuban Government its anxiety about this case and that of other political prisoners, and to stress that the development of EC relations with Cuba depends on the respect of human rights by the Cuban Government;

3. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, EPC, the Government of Cuba and the Secretary-General of the Organization of American States.