Key Update: Impact and Outcomes of our EU Advocacy Mission

Key Update: Impact and Outcomes of our EU Advocacy Mission

Last week, we achieved key breakthroughs in our advocacy work before European Union institutions. In high-level official meetings, we exposed the human rights crisis and repression in Cuba, demanded an end to funding for the regime, and promoted concrete actions in support of a democratic transition. Below, we share the main milestones.

Pasos de Cambio Delegation Presents Proposals in Brussels

A delegation of Pasos de Cambio organizations—comprised of Cuba Decide promoters and members of the Observatorio Cubano de Derechos Humanos (OCDH)—along with members of the Mesa de Diálogo de la Juventud Cubana, held meetings with European Union officials at the European Parliament headquarters in Brussels.

The agenda focused on the serious situation of political prisoners in Cuba, the inhumane prison conditions, and the systematic pattern of repression faced by independent civil society. The proposals presented by the delegation included, as a priority, the activation of the democratic clause of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the Cuban regime, which would imply the suspension of funding to the dictatorship. Furthermore, the imposition of individual sanctions on those directly responsible for the repression was proposed.

The Pasos de Cambio delegation officially presented its roadmap for a European policy aimed at a democratic transition in Cuba, which compiles the proposals of organizations signatory to the Acuerdo por la Democracia.

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Testimony of Rosa María Payá at the European Parliament

Rosa María Payá, founder of Cuba Decide, appeared before the Subcommittee on Human Rights of the European Parliament, where she denounced the failed state conditions imposed by the Cuban dictators, while they divert billions of euros to overseas accounts. She warned about the persistent and systematic human rights violations in Cuba, and made an urgent call to the international community to act firmly in the face of these abuses, which continue to occur with total impunity on the Island.

“I request solidarity and action from this Parliament to immediately activate the protocol for the violation of essential elements of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement, suspending its implementation until there is verifiable progress on Human Rights in Cuba,” said Payá.

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José Daniel Ferrer before the Subcommittee on Human Rights of the European Parliament

José Daniel Ferrer, leader of UNPACU and a Cuba Decide promoter, also addressed the Subcommittee on Human Rights of the European Parliament. His testimony underscored the seriousness of the systematic human rights violations in Cuba and reinforced the urgent call for European institutions to adopt concrete actions in support of the Cuban people and their legitimate struggle for freedom and democracy.

“As misery and hunger increase throughout the country, the tyranny increases repression and censorship so that the population lives in permanent fear and completely paralyzed,” Ferrer stated.