European People's Party strongly condemns Castro's repression

EPP POLITICAL BUREAU RESOLUTION Brussels, 06 May 2003

Considering:

1. - That the EPP brings together political parties committed to defending human dignity and human rights, and that this moral commitment applies to the current situation in Cuba;

2.- That defending human rights is the responsibility of the whole international community, and that the EPP assumes awareness of violations of fundamental rights as an obligation of solidarity;

3.- That in the first months of 2003 the Cuban government has made intolerable assaults on fundamental rights, including use of the death penalty, summary trials, and disproportionate prison sentences as instruments of fear, and implementing one of the worst-ever campaigns of repression and persecution against Cuban citizens;.

4.- That dozens of leaders and activists of democratic organisations, NGOs, independent journalists, artists, dissident groups, and individuals have been arrested in Cuba in recent weeks;

5.- That such arrests are part of the Cuban government's latest campaign of repression aimed at intimidating and silencing dissident voices on the island;

6.- That according to the Cuban Commission for Human Rights and Reconciliation, there are more than 300 political prisoners in Cuba;

7.- That the Cuban government has denied the UN's petition to inspect Cuban prisons to verify that human rights are being respected;

The European People's Party:

CONDEMNS the Cuban government's acts of repression and calls on it to stop the terror campaign immediately, to free the gaoled opposition leaders and activists, journalists and artists, and to guarantee civil and political rights;

SUPPORTS change in Cuba through dialogue and peaceful means, expresses its solidarity with the Cuban people, and its concern for the improvement of their well-being and respect for their fundamental rights.

EXPRESSES its solidarity with the Varela project, an initiative which represents the efforts of the Cuban people to open new areas of freedom.

ASKS the European Commission, as well as the European Parliament and the Council, to maintain a clear and united Common Position on Cuba, pursuing policies which will lead to a peaceful transition to democracy, and meanwhile taking all necessary steps to secure the safety of all citizens, including Europeans living on the island.

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