US: Costa Rica, backed by the United States and Britain, urged the United Nations' top human rights body yesterday to demand that Cuba release dozens of dissidents jailed in a recent crackdown.
In a surprise move, the central American country called on the Commission on Human Rights to express "deep concern" about the detentions and urge the Cuban government to release those held immediately.
Cuba has imposed lengthy jail terms on some 75 dissidents accused of "mercenary activities", triggering a storm of international protest. Last Friday it executed three men who hijacked a ferry in a bid to reach the United States.
The UN commission had been due to debate a more mildly worded motion that merely urged Cuba to accept a visit from a UN human rights envoy.
Introducing the amendment, Costa Rican envoy Mr Manuel Gonzalez Sanz said his country was reacting to the "serious events . . . which oblige us to make a more vehement appeal to Cuba with a view to achieving greater respect for human rights".
Because of the Costan Rican amendment, and with Cuba adding an amendment of its own attacking the US economic embargo of the island state, the commission was forced to delay a full debate and vote on Cuba until today. Rights activists and diplomats said it was far from certain that the Costa Rican resolution would win a majority on the 53-state commission. - (Reuters)