On the case of José Daniel Ferrer García in Cuba

B100043/2024

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 the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (PDCA) between the European Union and Cuba provisionally applied since 1 November 2017,

having regard to its Rule 150,

A. whereas José Daniel Ferrer García, leader of the “Patriotic Union of Cuba”, was arbitrarily detained on 11 July 2021, in the context of widespread peaceful protests throughout the island; whereas the Cuban regime has imprisoned, harassed and intimidated him for over a decade because of his peaceful political activism; whereas he is considered a prisoner of conscience;

B. whereas he has been held in solitary confinement, isolated from other prisoners, since August 2021, and has been held incommunicado for long periods of time; whereas during the last year, his family visits have been systematically denied and since April 2024, none of his family members have been able to speak to or see him, which raises concerns about his life and his physical integrity;

C. whereas he is reported to have been in poor health conditions and has been held without access to medical treatment, in inadequate health and food conditions which constitute forms of torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment;

D. whereas Cuban regime continues its crackdown on all dissenting voices; whereas according to Prisoners Defenders the number of political prisoners and prisoners of conscience in Cuba rises to 1,105;

1. Calls for the immediate and unconditional release of José Daniel Ferrer and of all those arbitrarily detained for the exercise of their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly; calls on the Cuban authorities to drop abusive criminal charges.

2. Calls for immediate access to adequate medical care for Mr. Ferrer, as well as access to his family, pending his release.

3. Strongly condemns the systematic human rights violations and repression perpetrated by the Cuban regime against dissenting voices to the Cuban regime; supports the work of all those fighting for fundamental rights in Cuba.

4. Regrets that the PDCA has failed so far in its core aim of improving fundamental freedoms in Cuba, and that there has been a further deterioration and aggravation of the human rights situation, in clear and systematic violation of the basic provisions of the PDCA; reiterates its previous positions regarding the possibility to activate the PDCA’s suspension clause.

5. Insists that any political dialogue must include direct intensive participation of independent civil society and all opposition political actors with no restrictions and no reprisal against them.

6. Reiterates its call on the Council to apply the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime (the EU Magnitsky Act) and adopt sanctions against those responsible for the persistent human rights violations in Cuba.

7. Urges the Cuban regime to ensure unhindered access to independent human rights organizations and the European Parliament to monitor and report on the human rights situation.

8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Cuban regime, the VP/ HR, the Commission, the EU SRHR, the UN HCHR and the CELAC countries.