In the European Parliament’s debate on José Daniel Ferrer, who has been in solitary confinement since July 2021, ECR MEP Mariusz Kamiński expressed his solidarity with the Cuban human rights activist and called for an end to the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement with the communist country.

Kaminski, co-author of a European Parliament resolution to be voted on Thursday, said: “The situation regarding human rights violations in Cuba is alarming. If we really want to change it, we have to speak to the regime in clear and unequivocal terms. As long as the opposition is suppressed and there are political prisoners, there can be no cooperation with the European Union.”

Kaminski’s speech reads in full:

When the Iron Curtain fell in the late 1980s and early 1990s and the Soviet Union began to crumble, we hoped for the ultimate collapse of the communist system worldwide. However, that has not happened. Post-communist dictatorships remain strong in countries like Russia, Belarus, China, North Korea, and Cuba, where members of the Castro dynasty still hold power.

I belong to the ‘Solidarity’ generation and understand what it means to fight for freedom. Although thousands of kilometres separate me from José Daniel Ferrer, I feel a deep connection with him. We, the Polish people, defeated communism, and the Cuban people will defeat it as well. We must do everything in our power to ensure that this happens.

The situation regarding human rights violations in Cuba is alarming. If we truly want to change it, we must speak to the regime in clear and firm terms. As long as there are repressions against the opposition and political prisoners exist, there can be no cooperation with the European Union.

The Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement with Cuba must be immediately suspended. Continuing it means indirectly financing a brutal regime.

Dear Cubans, you are not alone. Despite the repression, your spirit remains free, and this spirit of freedom will triumph.