Cuba: David McAllister denounces the crackdown on protesters
Cuba: David McAllister denounces the crackdown on protesters
David McAllister, condemns the latest escalation in the repression of protests in Cuba.
Mr McAllister (EPP, DE), stated on Wednesday 14 July: “I condemn in the strongest possible terms the crackdown on the peaceful protests taking place in Cuba and I am alarmed by the escalation of repression and by the human rights situation in the country. The Cuban dictatorship is the longest standing one in Latin America and the Caribbean. Since 1959, the military regime with a single party system has subjugated the Cuban people. Moreover, the lack of freedoms, the constant denial of political pluralism, and the systematic violations of human rights are coupled with an economic model that causes chronic shortages of food medicine, and other basic services. In this context, the poor handling of the COVID-19 health crisis has accentuated the political and social discontent on the island. The spontaneous and peaceful protests in San Antonio de los Baños and Palma Soriano have spread throughout the nation, showing a desire for change in a society where people are no longer willing to support the status quo. Protesting is an integral part of the human right to freedom of assembly and association, which is the cornerstone of any democracy. Therefore, the actions undertaken by the Cuban authorities to prevent the protests through violence and arbitrary detentions has to end. Furthermore, I firmly condemn the Cuban President