RESOLUTION B3-0362 and 0367/93

Resolution on the human rights situation in Cuba

The European Parliament,

-having regard to its previous resolutions on human rights abuses in Cuba,

A.whereas elections were held to the "Assembly of People's Power" in Cuba on 24 February 1993,

B.whereas Cubans were only allowed to vote for a single list presented by the Communist Party of Cuba, which has an absolute monopoly of power in the Republic of Cuba,

C.whereas a large-scale campaign urged the electorate to vote en bloc for this single list,

D.whereas, according to official results, the single list was elected by 87.3% of those who turned out to vote,

E.whereas, according to the same official information, despite pressure from the government and the Partido Unico (the single party of Cuba), 15.6% of Cubans decided not to vote or to hand in blank or partially filled-in ballot papers or to cast votes which were subsequently cancelled,

F.drawing attention to the fact that there has been no other election in Cuba since President Castro came to power in 1959,

G.gravely disturbed by the number of political prisoners and people detained for their opinions in Cuba,

H.calling attention to the persecution by physical violence and intimidation as well as by arrest and imprisonment of those who seek to defend human rights,

I.calling attention in particular to the cases of:

-José Luiz Pujol Iriza, sentenced to three years' imprisonment in September 1992, apparently for having written a letter critical of President Castro to a Cuban exile,

-Sebastian Arcos Bergnes, Vice-President of the Comité Cubano Pro Derechos Humanos, sentenced to four years in October 1992 for having sent abroad information on the violation of human rights which the Cuban authorities claim to be false,

-María Elena Cruz Varela, distinguished poet and defender of human rights who, it is reported, is still being maltreated physically and mentally in prison,

-Yademiro Restano Diaz and María Elena Aparicio, sentenced to ten and seven years respectively in May 1992 for belonging to Movimiento de Armonía, which, according to the Cuban authorities, advocates changing the political, economic and social structure,

-Gustavo Arcos, Rodolfo Gonzalez, Osvaldo Pava, Elizardo Sanchez and Jesus Yanes, who have all been subjected to mob violence or imprisonment or recently had their lives threatened by government officials,

J.calling attention to the role of the Brigadas Populares de Respuesta Rapida, who behave like storm troopers in beating up and intimidating dissidents,

K.drawing attention to the fact that many people trying to escape from Cuba are drowned in the attempt,

1.Calls on the Cuban Government to show respect for democracy by allowing the holding of genuine elections in the near future;

2.Calls once again on the Cuban authorities to engage in dialogue with the internal and external Cuban opposition to pave the way for democratic, multiparty elections preceded by a free election campaign and monitored by international observers;

3.Demands the immediate release of all political prisoners;

4.Calls on the Cuban Government to allow international human rights organizations to visit the country and to stop the persecution of Cuban human rights organizations;

5.Calls on the Cuban Government to disband the Brigadas Populares de Respuesta Rapida;

6.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, Council and European Political Cooperation and to the Secretary-General of the Organization of American States and the Government of Cuba.