E.U.: Cuba open to human rights discussion…sort of

Human rights were one of the main topics addressed during high-level meeting on Wednesday between Cuban and European Union (E.U.) diplomats.

European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid Louis Michel visited Havana nearly five months since the E.U. and Cuba reestablished diplomatic ties. During a press conference with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez, Michel said that Cuba would be willing to discuss human rights on the island. Furthermore, representatives from both areas will meet in Brussels in May in order to talk about strengthening political relations.

There was a point of discord after Michel claimed that they would be open to discussing the jailing of political prisoners. Rodriguez quickly corrected Michel and declared that possibly reforming the Cuban penitentiary system was out of the question. Michel added that Cuba’s foreign policy will “continue to adhere to the revolution with the absolute consistency they have from 1959 until this moment."

(Michel replaced Felipe Perez Roque who was sacked last month in a cabinet shakeup by President Raul Castro).

Meanwhile, the Obama administration spoke out on Wednesday over imprisoned Cuban dissidents:

The administration of US President Barack Obama called Wednesday on Cuba to free political prisoners immediately and to improve human rights on the communist-ruled island.

The State Department issued the appeal on the sixth anniversary of the Castro government's crackdown on 75 civil society activists known as the "Black Spring"…

"We call upon the Cuban government to immediately release these and other political prisoners being held in Cuban jails and to undertake measures to improve human rights conditions in Cuba," Wood said.

Image- Portland Tribune
Online Sources- The Latin Americanist, Prensa Latina, BBC News, AFP, Reuters