BRUSSELS, March 30 (EUROPE PRESS) –
The European Union this Wednesday denounced the “disproportionate” penalties imposed on Cuban demonstrators in last July’s protests, affirming that with these penalties the island’s authorities are attempting to restrict the right to demonstrate.
“The EU follows with great concern the verdicts in Cuba against those involved in the events of July 11 and 12,” EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell said in a statement on behalf of the 27th Council.
“The EU urges the Cuban authorities to respect the civil and political rights of the Cuban people, including freedom of association, assembly and expression,” Borrell’s statement said.
In this sense, the member states denounce that the penalties, which include prison terms of up to 30 years, are “disproportionate” and seek “denying the Cubans the right to express themselves peacefully and to demand changes”.
The protests resulted in more than 1,400 arrests and nearly 800 people are being brought to justice. In this sense, the European bloc, which has defended the right to demonstrate and has called on Havana to listen to the demands of its citizens, has assured that the processes do not meet international standards and has asked the Cuban regime to allow European diplomats, even at the participate in processes.
Regarding the European response, the 27 reiterate their readiness to “protect, promote and implement” the human rights and freedoms of the Cuban people within the framework of the EU-Cuba Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement, which governs relations and clauses on the issue of freedoms on the island.
Borrell has defended that this agreement is precisely the best way to maintain “critical” contact with the Cuban authorities and influence the necessary reforms on the island.