§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations1376W he has made to the Cuban authorities concerning their treatment of (a) Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet and (b) Jorge Luis Garcia Pérez (Antúnez). [185768]
§ Mr. RammellWe regularly raise human rights cases—including these two—with the Cuban authorities in London and in Havana. We have been monitoring their situation and health, and embassy staff maintain close contacts with local human rights groups involved in their cases and with friends and family of the individuals. Dr. Biscet visited the British embassy in November 2002 shortly before his arrest, and our embassy staff last met his wife, Elsa Morejon, on 14 July. We are aware of considerable public interest in the fate of both prisoners.
UK policy on Cuba is governed by the EU Common Position, which has human rights enshrined as its key principle and which was reaffirmed on 14 June. The EU regularly issues statements condemning the imprisonment of human rights activists and other political prisoners. Mostly recently, on 15 July 2004, we again called on the Cuban Government to release all political prisoners.