MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

25.1.2006

further to Question for Oral Answer B6‑0675/2005
pursuant to Rule 108(5) of the Rules of Procedure
by Cecilia Malmström
on behalf of the ALDE Group
on the EU's policy towards the Cuban Government

B6‑0082/2006

European Parliament resolution on the EU position towards the Cuban Government

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to its previous resolutions on the situation in Cuba, and in particular that of 16 November 2004,

–  having regard to its resolution of 28 April 2005 on the Annual Report on Human Rights in the World 2004 and the EU's policy on the matter,

–  having regard to the Presidency Declaration of 14 December 2005 on the Damas de Balnco, as well as the previous Presidency Declarations of March 2003 and 5 June 2003 on the situation in Cuba,

–  having regard to EU Common Position 96/697/CFSP on Cuba, adopted on 2 December 1996 and periodically updated,

–  having regard to Article 108(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.  whereas protecting the universality and the indivisibility of human rights (including civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights) is still one of the EU's main objectives,

B.  whereas scores of freelance journalists, peaceful dissidents and upholders of human rights (members of the democratic opposition and in most cases linked to the Varela Project) are still being held in jail in subhuman conditions, and whereas some of them are seriously ill, and many of them are members of the families of the Damas de Blanco,

C.  whereas Parliament awarded the 2005 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to the Damas de Blanco, to Hauwa Ibrahim and to the international organisation Reporters without Borders,

D.  whereas the refusal of the Cuban authorities to allow the Damas de Blanco to travel to the seat of the European Parliament in Strasbourg to receive their award contravenes one of the basic human rights, namely the right to freely enter and leave one's own country, as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,

E.  whereas the 2002 Sakharov Prize winner, Oswaldo Payá Sardinas, has been systematically denied the right to leave Cuba to accept the invitations of this Parliament and of other European Union bodies,

1.  Considers that the new EU policy, since January 2005, has not lived up to expectations, and that the human rights situation has even deteriorated;

2.  Calls on the Austrian Presidency, in light of these failures, to take appropriate steps to improve the situation in Cuba;

3.  Considers it inconceivable that people continue to be imprisoned in Cuba for their ideals and peaceful political activity, and calls for the immediate release of all political prisoners of conscience; urges the Council and the Commission to continue to take whatever action is necessary in this regard;

4.  Is shocked that some of these political prisoners are not receiving the help they need and are in very poor medical condition, and indeed some are actually dying;

5.  Reiterates that the objectives of the European Union's policy towards Cuba continue to be respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, encouragement of a process of transition to a pluralist democracy and a lasting economic recovery aimed at improving the living standards of the Cuban population;

6.  Deeply regrets that the Cuban authorities have prevented the Damas de Blanco from travelling to Strasbourg to collect the Sakharov Prize;

7.  Urges the Cuban authorities to immediately allow the Damas de Blanco to leave the island so they can accept the invitation of the European Parliament, and asks its President to take the necessary steps to enable the prize winners to be immediately authorised to travel to Europe to receive their prize;

8.  Requests, if authorisation to leave Cuba is not forthcoming, that a large European Parliament delegation be sent to Havana as soon as possible to award the prize, as has been requested by the prize winners;

9.  Repeats its invitation to the winner of the European Parliament's 2002 Sakharov Prize - Oswaldo Payá Sardinas - and urges the Cuban authorities to grant him the necessary permits to enable him to appear before the Community institutions;

10.  Recalls its commitment to intensifying the European Union dialogue and supporting members of the peaceful opposition and civil society in Cuba;

11.  Stresses that the political future of Cuba must rest on the sole will of its citizens;

12.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Government of Cuba and Oswaldo Payá Sardinas and the Damas de Blanco, winners of the European Parliament's Sakharov Prize.