Given how central the values of human rights, democracy and the rule of law are in Europe, we feel it is our obligation to speak out against such injustices continuing unchecked.  Less than twenty years ago there were political prisoners on the EU’s borders who were denied the basic rights of freedom of speech and expression, lived in constant fear of being denounced and dreamed about enjoying what Europeans in the ‘West’ took for granted.
Les 75 prisonniers d'opinion jetés alors en prison étaient des dissidents, des journalistes indépendants, des dirigeants au sein de la société civile et des bibliothécaires qui ont osé dire ouvertement la vérité sur la vie à Cuba. Quatre d'entre eux ont été relâchés récemment, mais 55 restent emprisonnés dans des conditions déplorables.