B4-1247, 1257, 1264 and 1285/95

Resolution on the case of Francisco Chaviano González

The European Parliament,

A.having regard to the fifteen-year prison sentence imposed on Francisco Chaviano González, President of the Cuban Council for Civil Rights,

B.whereas this sentence was passed by a military court,

C.whereas the prisoner has been on hunger strike since 12 September 1995,

D.concerned at information that the conditions under which Francisco Chaviano is being held are particularly distressing,

E.whereas, according to reports by Amnesty International, there are hundreds of political prisoners of conscience in Cuba,

1.Calls on the Cuban authorities to review the case and ensure that this Cuban citizen is tried by a civilian court with all guarantees for his defence;

2.Demands that until the outcome of his trial is known, Francisco Chaviano should be released, as should the other political prisoners;

3.Calls on the Commission and the Council to convey to the Cuban authorities their deep concern regarding the detention of prisoners of conscience in Cuba;

4.Insists that the entire Cuban penal code should comply with the principles universally recognized in the Declaration adopted by the World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna in 1993, which also entails the abolition of the death penalty;

5.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the Government of Cuba.