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resolution motion, 14 September 2026

On Political prisoners in Cuba, the case of Félix Navarro and his daughter Saylí Navarro

Motion B-10-2026-0419 · (2026/2874(RSP))

on behalf of the ECR Group · Rapporteur: Adam Bielan, Nora Junco García, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Joachim Stanisław Brudziński, Tobiasz Bocheński, Alexandr Vondra, Rihards Kols, Waldemar Buda, Geadis Geadi, Ondřej Krutílek, Veronika Vrecionová, Maciej Wąsik, Nikola Bartůšek, Arkadiusz Mularczyk, Waldemar Tomaszewski, Małgorzata Gosiewska, Mariusz Kamiński, Carlo Fidanza, Jadwiga Wiśniewska, Alberico Gambino, Nicolas Bay, Laurence Trochu, Marion Maréchal, Assita Kanko, Bogdan Rzońca, Marlena Maląg, Ivaylo Valchev

On Parliament’s site PDF Word

AI:In short

Parliament's resolution condemns the imprisonment and ill-treatment of Félix Navarro and his daughter Saylí Navarro in Cuba and the regime's repression of its people. It demands their immediate and unconditional release and that of all political prisoners, and the repeal of the Penal Code's repressive provisions. It calls on Cuba's communist regime to step down and allow a peaceful democratic transition with legal opposition parties, restored freedoms and free elections under international observation. It reaffirms support for the Cuban democratic opposition and civil society, and calls on the EEAS to engage with them directly. It calls for the immediate suspension of the PDCA and targeted sanctions against those responsible, and condemns forced exile as a condition for prisoners' release.

Key points

  1. Condemns the imprisonment and ill-treatment of Félix and Saylí Navarro and the regime's systematic repression, and holds the Cuban authorities responsible for Félix Navarro's health.
  2. Demands the immediate and unconditional release of Félix and Saylí Navarro and all political prisoners, and the repeal of the Penal Code's repressive provisions.
  3. Condemns the use of forced exile as a condition for prisoners' release.
  4. Calls on Cuba's communist regime to step down and allow a peaceful, citizen-led democratic transition, including legalising opposition parties, restoring fundamental freedoms and holding free and fair elections under international observation.
  5. Reaffirms full support for the Cuban democratic opposition and independent civil society, on the island and in exile, organised under the Freedom Accord and other coalitions, as the legitimate voice of the Cuban people.
  6. Calls on the EEAS to engage directly with the Cuban democratic opposition and civil society and support their efforts towards a democratic transition.
  7. Stresses the direct responsibility of Cuba's communist regime for decades of systemic repression, corruption and hostile geopolitical alliances, which have driven the country into state collapse and humanitarian catastrophe.
  8. Notes that raising concerns through the PDCA has failed and calls, in line with its previous resolution, for the PDCA's immediate suspension and targeted sanctions against those responsible.

Who is affected

  • Félix Navarro and his daughter Saylí Navarro: the resolution demands their immediate and unconditional release.
  • Cuba's communist regime: called on to step down, allow a democratic transition and face targeted sanctions.
  • Cuban political prisoners: the resolution demands the release of all of them and the repeal of repressive Penal Code provisions.
  • Cuban democratic opposition and independent civil society, on the island and in exile: Parliament reaffirms support and asks the EEAS to engage with them.

Figures and deadlines

  • Félix Navarro is aged 73.
  • Félix and Saylí Navarro were sentenced to nine- and eight-years' imprisonment respectively.
  • Félix Navarro was released in January 2025 and his release was revoked in April 2025.
  • Félix Navarro has spent sixteen months isolated in the prison infirmary and was beaten in April 2026.
  • Prisoners Defenders recorded 1339 political prisoners in August 2026, 463 with serious medical conditions.
  • The OCDH documented 2609 repressive actions this year.
  • According to the OCDH, 94 % of Cubans live in extreme poverty, eight in ten go hungry and 95 % reject the government's management.

Written by AI from the full text · every figure comes from the text · ¶ opens the paragraph · 18 Sept 2026 · Report a problem

Full text

Text 21 paragraphs

B100419/2026

European Parliament resolution on Political prisoners in Cuba, the case of Félix Navarro and his daughter Saylí Navarro

(2026/2874(RSP))

The European Parliament,

having regard to its previous resolutions on Cuba, in particular that of 18 June 2026 on the political repression and humanitarian situation,

having regard to Rule 150(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

whereas Felix Navarro, aged 73, a former Black Spring prisoner, a veteran Cuban opposition leader and coordinator of the Party for Democracy Pedro Luis Boitel, and his daughter Sayli Navarro, a member of the Ladies in White movement, were arrested after the 11 July 2021 protests and sentenced to nine- and eight-years’ imprisonment respectively; whereas Amnesty International recognises both as prisoners of conscience;

whereas Felix Navarro was released in January 2025 under an agreement mediated by the Catholic Church, but his release was revoked in April 2025;

whereas Felix Navarro has spent sixteen months isolated in the prison infirmary, without verifiable information on his health, and was beaten in April 2026; whereas Sayli Navarro was denied parole for refusing to join pro-government political activities in prison;

whereas Prisoners Defenders recorded 1339 political prisoners in August 2026, 463 with serious medical conditions; whereas the OCDH documented 2609 repressive actions this year;

whereas, according to the OCDH, 94 % of Cubans live in extreme poverty, eight in ten go hungry and 95 % reject the government’s management;

whereas the EU has expressed discontent with the regime courts’ decision to revoke the conditional release;

Read the rest (9 paragraphs)

whereas in its resolution of 18 June 2026 Parliament called for the PDCA’s suspension should these violations continue, which they have.

Condemns the imprisonment and ill-treatment of Felix and Sayli Navarro and the regime’s systematic repression of its people; holds the Cuban authorities fully responsible for Felix Navarro’s health;

Demands the immediate and unconditional release of Felix and Sayli Navarro and all political prisoners, and the repeal of the Penal Code’s repressive provisions;

Condemns the use of forced exile as a condition for prisoners’ release;

Calls on the communist regime in Cuba to step down and allow a peaceful, citizen-led democratic transition, including legalising opposition parties, restoring fundamental freedoms and holding free and fair elections under international observation;

Reaffirms its full support for the Cuban democratic opposition and independent civil society, on the island and in exile, organised under the Freedom Accord and other coalitions, as the legitimate voice of the Cuban people; calls on the EEAS to engage with them directly and support their efforts towards a democratic transition;

Stresses the direct responsibility of Cuba’s communist regime for decades of systemic repression, corruption and hostile geopolitical alliances, which have driven the country into state collapse and humanitarian catastrophe;

Notes that raising concerns through the PDCA has failed; calls, in line with its previous resolution, for the PDCA’s immediate suspension and targeted sanctions against those responsible;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the VP/HR, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, and the authorities of the Republic of Cuba.