The European Union issued a stingingattack on Cuba today over the island's recent human rightsrecord and said it was reexamining its relationship with Havana inthe light of recent human rights violations there.
In a statement the EU's Greek presidency said a unanimousdecision had been taken to "proceed to the re-evaluation of the EUcommon position" vis-a-vis Cuba to restrict political and culturalcontacts with the island.
Further measures included limiting bilateral high-levelgovernment visits, reducing the profile of member states'participation in cultural events and inviting Cuban dissidentsabroad.
The statement said the EU "regrets that the Cuban authoritiesbroke the de-facto moratorium on the death penalty", and alsoreferred to the "recent deplorable actions of the Cuban authoritiesaiming not only at violating fundamental freedoms in Cuba, but alsoat depriving civilians of the ultimate human right, that of life".
Cuba recently arrested 75 political activists and handed downlong prison sentences to them, and also carried out the summaryexecution of three hijackers who had attempted to escape the islandby seizing boats and aircraft in May.
The EU urged Cuba to release political prisonners whiledemanding that the conditions in which they were being held beimmediately improved.
"The EU ... calls once again the Cuban authorities to releaseimmediately all political prisoners," the text said.
"While expecting a favourable response from the Cubanauthorities, the EU, mindful of increasing reports about poordetention conditions of prisoners with serious health problems,appeals to the Cuban authorities that, in the meantime, theprisoners do not suffer unduly and are not exposed to inhumanetreatment," it added.