The European Union, at best, has a mixed record when it comes to holding the Castro dictatorship accountable for its deplorable human rights record. It imposed sanctions after the "black spring" of 2003, but it has since lifted them, with no discernible change by the Havana regime.
Earlier today, some European diplomats — specifically, from Sweden, Great Britain, Hungary, Poland and Germany — took new steps in the right direction when they visited the wife of imprisoned Cuban dissident Dr. Darsi Ferrer.
It was a small gesture — the diplomats disavowed any political significance — but an important one, because it demonstrated that freedom fighters, that human rights activists like Dr. Ferrer are not forgotten, that they are not alone, that there are those overseas who hear their cries for justice and for liberty.
Hopefully, the diplomats will make such gestures on behalf of Cuban political prisoners and other dissidents, a habit.
UPDATED, 9 p.m. EDT
Reuters reports the Cuban government is upset with the Europeans.
Good.
For still photographs of the visit, go here.
And for CNN En Español's report, watch this.
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