<!-- IMAGE -->In a move aimed to encourage political reforms in Cuba, the
nations of Europe are lifting diplomatic sanctions, imposed against the
island nation for its repressive policies. Put in place in 2003 after
Cuba jailed dozens of political dissidents -- some of whom are still in
prison -- the sanctions banned high-level visits by the governments of
the twenty-seven member states of the European Union to Cuba, and
instituted a policy of inviting dissidents to E.U. member state
national day celebrations. They did not bar trade as the United States
does, and they were suspended in 2005. The EU has simultaneously
offered to establish a political dialogue with the Cuban government,
for which it has set a series of human rights benchmarks.
In the E.U.'s decision, it underscored a number of goals for Cuba
including the unconditional release of political prisoners, access for
all Cubans to the Internet and other vital liberties associated with
real democracy. The E.U. has declared with this move that concrete
progress in human rights will be the test of the regime's reform
initiatives, and its sanctions program could be re-imposed if there is
no improvement. We applaud the European Union for establishing basic principles to
underpin its dialogue with the Cuban government. These benchmarks send
the right message about what is important: the need for Cuba to change
the way it treats its citizens. The U.S. and E.U may differ at times,
but there is complete agreement across the Atlantic when it comes to
the fundamental principles of democracy and human rights for Cuba.
Real reform will occur in Cuba when it frees all political
prisoners, opens its economy and allows free and fair elections. The
focus on human rights in the E.U.'s decision underscored that
commitment.