Written question asked by Lord Patten (Conservative), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Malloch-Brown (Labour) on Monday, 2 June 2008.

Cuba: Torture

Question: asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have received evidence concerning the use of torture in Cuban prisons; and, if so, what representations they have made to the Government of Cuba about them.

Answer: We have no evidence of the use of torture in Cuban prisons. However, the most recent report from Christine Chanet, Personal Representative of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Cuba, raised concern about prison conditions including: the use of isolation cells; prisoners being beaten; lack of adequate medical supplies; substandard sanitation; and lack of food and water. The UK is particularly concerned about the conditions of political prisoners who are reported to be suffering ill health without adequate medical treatment. Our embassy in Havana continues to monitor the situations of such political prisoners and maintains contact with their supporters, including their immediate families. We regularly raise the issue of political prisoners with the Cuban authorities, both in London and Havana, and call for their immediate release. Most recently, my honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Meg Munn, raised the release of political prisoners with Jaime Crombert Hernandez-Baquero, Vice President of the National Assembly of People's Power in November 2007, and Cuban Vice Foreign Minister, Eumelio Caballero, in April 2008.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 3559; 702 c8WA
Session: 2007-08
Related items: Cuba: Torture
Monday, 16 June 2008
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Prisoners Prisons Torture Cuba
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk