Dutch Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen says the European Union should take action against Cuba following the death of a dissident last week.
In response to the death of Orlando Zapata, who died after 85 days on hunger strike, Mr Verhagen told Radio Netherlands Worldwide that the incident illustrated the continuing worrying human rights situation in Cuba.
He wants the EU to urge Cuba to respect human rights. He also reiterated his calls for all political prisoners to be released. In 2008, after Fidel Castro transferred power to his brother Raul, there were hopes for more freedom in the communist country. However, at the time Minister Verhagen stressed the importance of supporting the peaceful opposition in Cuba.
Zapata was a latecomer to political activism and considered a second-class dissident. He was arrested in March 2003 and initially sentenced to three years in prison. In the same year, the arrest of a group of 75 dissidents led to EU sanctions against Cuba. During his detention he rebelled against the brutal prison regime.
After a number of subsequent trials in prison, Zapata ended up facing 36 years in prison. He went on hunger strike to demand humane treatment.
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I dont think picking out any nation is a good option..... this is throwing a bias and bad example.
I completely agree with Arev Beilttog
Cuba holidays
If nations are going to be singled out selectively for their human rights abuses...why not also point a finger at Israel, or at the United States? Too scared of them? Hypocrites!
"If nations are going to be singled out selectively for their human rights abuses...why not also point a finger at Israel, or at the United States? Too scared of them? Hypocrites!"......You are very right, Arev Beilttog! The only problem is you left out a lot of nations out of the equation, i.e., Germany, France, the UK ( this one should be #1 in the countdown), Iran, Gaza, Syria, China, South Africa, Korea, Russia, Turkey, etc. (my finger got sore). Yes, Cuba should be treated the same way! Just because others don't do right, doesn't mean Cuba shouldn't be punished. Bye!
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