resolution motion, 16 September 2024
On the case of José Daniel Ferrer García in Cuba
Motion B-10-2024-0049 · (2024/2805(RSP))
on behalf of the ECR Group · Rapporteur: Adam Bielan, Mariusz Kamiński, Małgorzata Gosiewska, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Carlo Fidanza, Ondřej Krutílek, Veronika Vrecionová, Alberico Gambino
AI:In short
This resolution concerns the case of José Daniel Ferrer García in Cuba. It calls for his immediate release and condemns systematic human rights violations by the Cuban regime. It demands the release of all political prisoners, an end to repression, and the suspension of laws contrary to basic rights, as well as guarantees of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. It calls for a binding plebiscite on a democratic transition and for the EU to suspend all financing and concessions to Cuban regime institutions until these conditions are met.
Key points
- Calls on the Cuban government to immediately release José Daniel Ferrer.
- Condemns systematic human rights violations by the Cuban regime against protesters, dissidents, religious leaders, activists, and artists, and the lack of religious freedom.
- Expresses concern at the increase in political prisoners, calling Cuba the biggest prison for political activists in Latin America.
- Calls for the immediate and unconditional release of individuals detained for exercising human rights, dismissal of unjust charges, and support for the return of exiles.
- Calls for the elimination of all EU financing and concessions directed through Cuban regime institutions.
- Insists that before re-establishing economic relations with Cuban institutions, the EU must verify compliance with three prerequisites: release of all political prisoners, end of repression, and suspension of laws contrary to basic rights.
- Demands full guarantees of freedom of expression and peaceful association for the Cuban people.
- Calls for a binding plebiscite with electoral guarantees on the transition to a democratic, multi-party system.
Who is affected
- The Cuban government and its institutions, which are called on to release prisoners and face potential suspension of EU financing.
- Political prisoners and dissidents in Cuba, who would benefit from release and guarantees of rights.
- The European Union, which is called on to suspend financing and verify conditions before re-establishing relations.
Figures and deadlines
Written by AI from the full text · every figure comes from the text · ¶ opens the paragraph · 4 Sept 2026 · Report a problem
Full text
Text 20 paragraphs
B100049/2024
Motion for a European Parliament resolution on the case of José Daniel Ferrer García in Cuba
(2024/2805(RSP))
The European Parliament,
having regard to its previous resolutions on Cuba,
having regard to Rule 150 of its Rules of Procedure,
whereas José Daniel Ferrer García, leader of the Patriotic Union of Cuba, was arrested on July 11, 2021, when he tried to join the protests in Santiago de Cuba;
whereas since 14 August 2021, he has been held in solitary confinement under inhumane conditions in the maximum-security Mar Verde prison without access to treatment and extended periods of over 4 months in which he was held incommunicado;
whereas Ferrer was earlier arrested during the Black Spring of 2003 and sentenced to 25 years for his role in the Varela Project Campaign; whereas, he was again arrested in 2019 and trialled behind closed doors;
whereas, amid a bloody economic and humanitarian crisis, Cubans had taken to the streets on March 17 in Santiago de Cuba following days without water and electricity; whereas the protests quickly spread to other cities despite the regime’s effort to cut off internet access and prevent reporting on violence and oppression;
whereas arbitrary detentions and harassment of dissenting voices in Cuba have dangerously increased since 2022, reaching over 830 cases by August 2024, compared to 800 in 2023;
whereas the European Union has sought access and information over growing concerns over the crisis but was denied once again, despite constructive collaboration efforts;
Read the rest (8 paragraphs)
Calls on the Cuban government to immediately release José Daniel Ferrer;
Condemns in the strongest terms the systematic human rights violations and abuses perpetrated by the Cuban regime against protesters, political dissidents, religious leaders, human rights activists and independent artists, among others; condemns the lack of religious freedom in Cuba;
Is concerned at the alarming increase in the number of political prisoners, making Cuba the biggest prison for political activists and dissidents in Latin America; calls for the immediate and unconditional release of individuals detained solely for exercising their human rights, including the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and religion; further calls for the dismissal of unjust criminal charges and supports the facilitation of the return of those in exile;
Call for the elimination of all forms of European Union financing and concessions of a political, economic, or financial nature directed or managed through Cuban regime institutions; insists that before re-establishing any economic relations with official Cuban institutions, the EU must demand and verify compliance with the following three prerequisites:
Unconditional and charge-free release of all political prisoners, an end to repression, and the suspension of all laws contrary to basic rights.
Full guarantees of the Cuban people's right to exercise freedom of expression and peaceful association.
The implementation of a binding plebiscite with electoral guarantees on the transition to a democratic, multi-party system, to initiate a political transition that allows for free, fair, and multi-party elections.
Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Government and National Assembly of Cuba.