DETENTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS IN CUBA

That this House notes that the Cuban Government continues to hold several hundred political prisoners, whose offences include pro-democracy activism and speaking out against Government policies on issues such as abortion and treatment of the blind; further notes that among the most prominent cases are human rights activists Dr Oscar Biscet, Juan Carlos Gonzalez Leiva and Jorge Garcia Perez, all three of whom were arrested after peaceful protests; expresses strong concern that all three of these prisoners have, at various times, been denied medical treatment, resulting in severe ill-health; expresses further strong concern that Mr Gonzalez Leiva was badly beaten by security agents during his arrest, and that Mr Garcia Perez has been given repeated severe beatings whilst in prison; is also concerned that the families of each prisoner have reported harassment and threats from the authorities; notes also that in mid-March the Cuban Government orchestrated a massive round-up of human rights and pro-democracy activists, arresting over 75 dissidents; calls upon the Cuban Government to allow full medical treatment to all prisoners, to desist from withholding medical treatment as punishment, and to allow the Red Cross access to its prisons; further calls upon the Cuban Government to allow peaceful protest on human rights and pro-democracy issues, to release all those held for such activities, and to cease from applying pressure on them or their families; and urges Her Majesty's Government to place these issues at the core of bilateral talks with Cuba.