Special Representative of the European Union for Human Rights visits Cuba

2023-11-24 21:19:40

Photos: Cuba News 360

Text: Editorial Cuba Noticias 360

Eamon Gilmore, special representative of the European Union (EU) for Human Rights, arrived in Havana this Thursday to meet with the Government, institutions and civil society.

The trip was announced by Gilmore himself on his X account (formerly Twitter), where he assured that he would discuss “a wide range of topics,” although he did not specify which ones specifically.

The official co-chairs the IV Dialogue on Human Rights, which has been part of the EU-Cuba Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement since 2017 and whose visit had already been announced in May by the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell. .

In the opening words of the day today, Friday, November 24, Rodolfo Benítez Verson, General Director of Multilateral Affairs and International Law of MINREX, stated that the holding of the IV Dialogue on Human Rights “is a concrete example of the commitment to the implementation of the Agreement”.

Furthermore, the head of the Cuban delegation attending the meeting stated that they hope to “hold a respectful and constructive exchange, among equals, on political, civil, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development.”

The visit of the EU special representative also happens a few days after the death of Luis Barrios, a 37-year-old political prisoner who died this week in a Cuban hospital due to advanced bronchopneumonia.

Barrios was arrested during the protests of July 11, 2021 and was sentenced to nine years in prison for the alleged crimes of public disorder and attack, charges that have also been charged by the island’s government to many other protesters. of 9/11 who are currently imprisoned.

In the midst of this scenario, some non-state organizations hope that Gilmore will take some action related to the situation of political prisoners, such as visiting hospitals, prisons or the inmates’ families.

Likewise, attention has been drawn to the official’s visit at a time when Cuba is suffering a record migratory exodus, a crisis of food and medical supplies, and an intense international campaign of complaints about human rights violations.