After protests
EU calls on Cuba to release jailed protesters
After the July 11 protests, many Cubans were arrested – the EU is demanding their release. Photo: Ramon Espinosa/AP/dpa
© dpa-infocom GmbH
The European Union has called on Cuba to release jailed peaceful protesters and political prisoners.
The European Union has called on Cuba to release jailed peaceful protesters and political prisoners.
The EU is concerned that disproportionate prison sentences would be imposed on those involved in the suppressed protests last July, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a statement on Wednesday.
“These court cases raise significant concerns about fundamental principles and international standards of transparency and due process,” it said. “The European Union calls on Cuba to release all political prisoners and those detained solely for exercising their right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.”
The biggest protests in decades
During the spontaneous mass protests on July 11 – the largest against the socialist government in decades – demonstrations were held in several cities for freedom and against repression and mismanagement. According to Borrell, this reflected the legitimate displeasure of the people of the Caribbean state. Videos mostly showed peaceful demonstrations, which the security forces violently dispersed. According to the EU, there were more than 1,400 arrests.
In January, the Cuban judiciary announced the trial of 710 people, including 55 between the ages of 16 and 18. On March 16, the Supreme Court said 127 people had been sentenced to between 6 and 30 years in prison for incitement to riot and theft. According to activists, negotiations are still going on behind closed doors.
According to the International Society for Human Rights (IGFM), a German-Cuban man who had been living in Germany since 1985 was sentenced to 25 years in prison on December 23. He had therefore been to Cuba to visit relatives and had filmed the protests with his mobile phone for private purposes. ISHR said on Monday that the government was refusing consular care for the 59-year-old.