This Wednesday, the European Union decided on the trials and sentencing of the demonstrators in Cuba on July 11, 2021.

In a statement issued by a senior official, the EU condemns the government’s repression of its citizens following the massive protests in the country last year.

“The European Union follows with great concern the sentences handed down in Cuba related to the events of July 11 and 12, 2021.

The spontaneous demonstrations held across the country reflected the legitimate demands of the population but were taken by repression with more than 1,400 detained and 790 defendants After issuing several harsh sentences, on March 16, 2022, the Supreme People’s Court of Cuba published another 128 sentences with imprisonment of up to 30 years, including under 18 years at the time of their arrest. Such penalties are disproportionate,” the document said.

“These trials raise important concerns about fundamental principles and international standards of transparency and due process, such as the defendant’s right to legal counsel of his or her choice. The European Union urges the Cuban authorities to allow the diplomatic community to take part in these judicial proceedings,” they explain.

They also reiterated their willingness to “support all efforts aimed at protecting, promoting and applying the human rights and freedoms of all Cubans within the framework of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and Cuba”.

The NGO Prisoner Defender, a pro-democracy legal and defense organization, thanked the European Union for its statement in defense of Cuban political prisoners.

We celebrate the message of @EURat and @JosepBorrellF Support for political prisoners in #Cuba
As for the effort, we continue to urge that it not be confined to the government #Cuba
Civil society support: public meetings, funds and advocacyhttps://t.co/q5eBmERuc8
— Defender of the Prisoners (@CubanDefenders) March 30, 2022

Below we reproduce the statement of the High Representative of the European Union in full:

The European Union follows with great concern the sentences handed down in Cuba related to the events of July 11 and 12, 2021. The spontaneous demonstrations held across the country reflected the legitimate demands of the population but were met with repression. with more than 1,400 arrested and 790 accused.

After issuing several harsh sentences, on March 16, 2022, the Supreme People’s Court of Cuba published another 128 sentences with prison terms of up to 30 years, including people who were under 18 at the time of their arrest. These rates are disproportionate.

Although the Cuban Constitution recognizes the right to demonstrate, the application of these court procedures and sentences denies Cuban citizens the right to peacefully express their opinions and demand changes. The right to dissent and demonstrations should be guaranteed and protected in Cuba.

These trials raise important concerns about fundamental principles and international standards of transparency and due process, such as the defendant’s right to legal counsel of his or her choice. The European Union calls on the Cuban authorities to allow the diplomatic community to participate in these trials.

The European Union urges the Cuban authorities to respect the civil and political rights of Cubans, including freedom of association, assembly and expression. In this matter, the European Union would like to recall the cases of citizen reporters and journalists arrested, charged and convicted in connection with the events of 11 and 12 July.

The European Union urges the Cuban authorities to release all political prisoners and those detained for exercising their freedom of assembly and expression.

The European Union has consistently encouraged and will continue to encourage the Cuban Government to heed the concerns of its people and engage in meaningful and inclusive dialogue on their legitimate demands.

The European Union reiterates the importance of its ongoing exchanges with the Cuban authorities on this subject. It stands ready to support all efforts aimed at protecting, promoting and implementing the human rights and freedoms of all Cubans within the framework of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and Cuba.

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