13 July 2021
The European Conservatives and Reformists Group is greatly concerned with the violent response of the Cuban regime to the peaceful demonstrations that are taking place in Cuba against the communist government, demanding the end of more than sixty years dictatorship in the island.
It was an unprecedented display of anger and frustration in many cities throughout the country, including the Island’s biggest: Havana, Santiago, Santa Clara, Matanzas, Cienfuegos and Holgin.
Cuba, which was one of the most prosperous countries in America sixty years ago, is today a bankrupt state, with most of its population living in absolute poverty due to an undemocratic and corrupt communist rule.
The ECR Group strongly condemns the violent response of Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel to this peaceful movement and expresses its support and commitment to the Cuban people, and for freedom and democracy in Cuba and in all countries of Latin America which today are under growing threat from movements that do not respect the rule of law.
We therefore call on the European Union to reconsider its position on Cuba and to start working firmly and with perseverance towards a strong defence of the values of freedom, the rule of law and democracy.
In this regard, the ECR Group recalls the European Parliament Resolution of 19 September 2019 (1) condemning the horrible crimes committed by communists throughout Europe without exception, and condemning acts of aggression, crimes against humanity and massive human rights violations perpetrated by communist, Nazi and other authoritarian regimes.
Moreover, the ECR Group urges the Cuban authorities to:
Furthermore, we call on the European Union to:
Yours,
Hermann Tertsch, President of the Policy Group ECR Eurolat
Anna Fotyga, Vice-President of the Policy Group ECR Eurolat
Charlie Weimers, Vice-President of the Policy Group ECR Eurolat
Carlo Fidanza, Vice-President of the Policy Group ECR Eurolat