EU warns Cuba imprisonment of dissidents could threaten ties

BRUSSELS, March 17 -- (AFP) -- The European Union on Wednesday called for the release of four imprisoned Cuban dissidents and hinted that failure to do so could lead to the Caribbean state losing its right to attend EU talks with developing countries.

The EU warning came a day after Canada said it was reconsidering its support for Cuba being brought back into the Organisation of American States (OAS) following Monday's sentencing of the four dissidents. Cuba was expelled from the OAS in 1962.

In its statement the EU said the dissidents, who received prison terms of between three and five years for publishing a pamphlet criticising the government, had been exercising the universally recognised right to freedom of expression.

``The European Union cannot accept that citizens who do so be criminalised by state authorities,'' it said.

The EU recalled that it had expected the four dissidents to be released last year when it agreed to Cuba's request for observor status in its discussions with countries of the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP).

``The EU therefore repeats its calls for the prompt release of the four and will continue to evaluate the development of this matter.''

The EU also said it was gravely concered about the temporary detention and house arrest of several dozen of people connected to the imprisoned dissidents and by recent changes to Cuba's penal legislation which ``curtail the exercise of citizen's rights.''

am/mec

AFP