Written question asked by Lord Patten (Conservative), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Howell of Guildford (Conservative) on Monday, 27 September 2010.

Cuba: Political Prisoners

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have made, or intend to make, representations to the government of Cuba regarding the welfare of thejournalists Albert Santiago du Bouchet Hernández, sentenced to 3 years in prison on charges of disrespect for authority, Raymundo Perdigón Brito, sentenced to four years in prison charged with social dangerousness under Article 72 of the Cuban criminal code, and Ramón Velázquez Toranzo, also imprisoned after being charged under Article 72.

Answer: We have long-standing concerns about the detention of political prisoners in Cuba and, along with the EU, regularly raise these concerns with the Cuban Government. Our embassy in Havana also maintains links with unofficial non-governmental organisations in the country that keep track of individual cases. From these contacts we understand that Ramón Velazquez Toranzo has been released. We remain concerned that ““pre-criminal social dangerousness”” remains on the statute books and continues to be used by the Government of Cuba to curb dissent or criticism. At the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva the UK formally recommended that Cuba refrain from using such laws to restrict freedom of expression in the country. The Government of Cuba committed in July to release all 52 remaining political prisoners detained in the wave of arrests in 2003 and we note that more than half of these individuals have now been released. This is a positive step which we hope will lead to the release of all political prisoners in Cuba and further progress on other human rights issues.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 2029; 720 c524-5WA
Session: 2010-12
Related items: Cuba
Wednesday, 10 November 2010
Written questions
House of Lords
Notes: Answer received between Tuesday 14 September and Monday 20 September 2010.
Subjects: Political prisoners Cuba
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk