Spain sees progress on human rights in Cuba
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| Published on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 |
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MADRID, Spain (AFP): Spain said Monday it sees improvements in Cuba's attitude to human rights, following a second round of talks between the two countries on the issue.
"We appreciate the new more constructive attitude of Cuba," in particular towards the UN Human Rights Council, a foreign ministry source said.
Several political prisoners have been freed on the island in recent months, and there is a "possibility we can have a political dialogue with the European Union in which human rights would be included," the source said.
It was the second round of talks between Spain and Cuba on human rights following meetings in Havana in May 2007.
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Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos.
AFP PHOTO |
The two countries agreed to hold political consultations, including on the issue of human rights, during a visit to Cuba in April 2007 by Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos.
That visit was the first by a European Union foreign minister since the bloc imposed sanctions on the island in 2003 after the Cuban government imprisoned 75 political opponents.
Cuban dissidents at the time criticized Moratinos for failing to meet with them during his stay.
The visit was also condemned by Washington, which has a policy of isolating Cuba which is at odds with Madrid's strategy of constructive engagement towards the communist nation.
The foreign ministry source said no official statement would be issued on Monday's talks, which were part of a "process" and not intended to lead to any concrete decisions.
Moratinos said last week that the meeting "would show the determination of both sides to maintain dialogue and their commitment to move forward in the promotion and the defence of human rights."
Monday's talks took place "at a technical level" between Cuban deputy foreign minister Abelardo Moreno and a senior Spanish foreign ministry official, Rafael Dezcallar. | | | | Reads : 386 | | | |
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