Most of the former Cuban political prisoners released since last summer have settled in Spain but at best, Spain has been a reluctant host unwilling to provide the protection and support the new arrivals deserve so as to not risk offending its diplomatic partners in Havana.
Fortunately, some of the former prisoners are finding a better haven elsewhere in Europe:
- Rolando Jiménez Posada, the only Amnesty International prisoner of conscience not covered by the Spain-Catholic Church-Cuba release deal, has been granted political asylum in Czech Republic, whose government is among Europe's strongest supporters of Cuban liberty.
- Osvaldo Ricardo Díaz Sánchez, an independent journalist released in August after four years in prison, accepted an offer of political asylum from Italy.
The recent releases may not have been possible without Spain's involvement. But throughout the whole process Spain has been most concerned with not about what might be best for the former prisoners, who had nothing to do with the negotiating of the release deal, but with what is best for Spain, diplomatically, economically and otherwise.
Fortunately, there are at least two countries in Europe that understand whose interests are truly deserving of protestion.
Recent Comments