Critical situation in Cuba
TA-9-2024-0122 · P9_TA(2024)0122 · PE756.911
Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.
Parliament's resolution on the critical situation in Cuba finds that the EU-Cuba Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (PDCA) has failed to improve fundamental freedoms and that the human rights situation has deteriorated.¶¶ It condemns systematic human rights violations and repression, demands the release of political prisoners, and calls for an end to forced labour, including in medical brigades.¶¶¶ It rejects Cuba's refusal to admit a Parliament delegation and asks that Cuban representatives be denied access to Parliament's premises in return.¶ It calls on the Council to sanction those responsible for human rights violations, starting with Miguel Díaz-Canel, and on the EU to trigger Article 85(3)(b) of the PDCA, which should lead to suspension of the agreement.¶¶
Key points
- Regrets that the situation of a lack of democracy and freedoms in Cuba has not improved and has further deteriorated in violation of the PDCA.¶
- Stresses that all parties must fulfil the binding provisions of the PDCA and uphold the universality of human rights.¶
- Condemns systematic human rights violations against protesters, dissidents, religious leaders, activists and artists, and urges Cuba to end its policy of repression.¶
- Is concerned at the increase in political prisoners and calls for the immediate release of those detained for exercising their rights, dismissal of unjust charges and help for exiles to return.¶
- Declares unacceptable the exclusion of the Cuban democratic opposition and independent civil society from political dialogues by the EEAS and the EU Delegation in Havana.¶
- Reiterates firm support for the Cuban people and human rights defenders in Cuba.¶
- Condemns state-driven forced labour in Cuba, including in medical brigades and involving teachers, sailors, engineers, artists and athletes whose salary is mostly appropriated by the government.¶
- Rejects Cuba's refusal of a visit by an ad hoc Parliament delegation, urges Cuba to grant Parliament access, and requests that Cuban representatives be denied access to Parliament's premises in return.¶
- Demands that Cuba grant access to a European Parliament, EU and Member State delegation and to independent human rights organisations to monitor trials and visit imprisoned activists.¶
- Reiterates its call on the Council to apply the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime and sanction those responsible for human rights violations, starting with Miguel Díaz-Canel.¶
- Reiterates its call for the EU to trigger Article 85(3)(b) of the PDCA to request an immediate joint committee meeting, and stresses that the breaches should lead to suspension of the agreement.¶
Who is affected
- Cuban authorities, who are urged to end repression, release political prisoners and grant access to delegations and observers.¶¶¶
- The Council, which is asked to adopt sanctions under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime.¶
- The EU and its member states, which are asked to trigger Article 85(3)(b) of the PDCA and consider suspension of the agreement.¶
- Cuban political prisoners, dissidents, religious leaders, human rights activists and independent artists, whom the resolution supports.¶¶¶
- Cuban workers in medical brigades and other sectors subjected to forced labour.¶
Figures and deadlines
- 1 066 political prisoners and prisoners of conscience on 31 January 2024¶
- 33 political prisoners who were minors at the time of detention
- an eightfold increase in political prisoners since 2018
- more than 11 000 cases of 'pre criminal' convictions with average sentences of 2 years and 10 months
- an average of 3 850 new 'pre-criminal' detentions every year under Article 72 of the Cuban Civil Code
- 89 femicides in 2023 and eight new cases reported so far in 2024¶
- more than 200 incidents of internet restrictions documented in 2023¶