Validate or denounce the regime? House of Lords debate the future of relations with Havana

The Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement between the United Kingdom and Cuba, signed by the previous British Administration in November 2023, has been reviewed this week by the Parliament of this nation.

Despite the differences in focus, the House of Lores has made it clear that the ratification of the agreement will not be automatic.

The United Kingdom protocol for Havana relations will be the subject of rigorous scrutiny and an inevitable political debate, in which the dilemma between diplomatic commitment and the defense of human rights will be again in the center.

In the parliamentary session held on Thursday, a clear division was evidenced between those who prioritize the diplomatic approach and those who insist on confronting the Cuban regime for their systematic human rights violations.

The Parliamentary Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs, Ray Edward Harry Collins, Baron Collins of Highbury, confirmed that the agreement is being evaluated by an intergovernmental process, but avoided setting deadlines for its possible ratification.

The member of the Labor Party (Centro Left) explained that the objective of the British government is to promote political and economic development in Cuba, as well as guarantee respect for fundamental rights.

Some lords, such as Labor Anthony Woodley, Baron Woodley, advocated a provisional implementation of the agreement as a way to relieve the economic crisis that hits Cubans. However, they avoided mentioning human rights violations committed by the Havana regime, as well as the international sanctions they have caused.

Others, on the other hand, were more direct, such as David Patrick Paul Alton, Baron Alton of Liverpool, who questioned the Government of Cuba about the persecution of freedom of thought, consciousness and religion, collected in article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

In his speech he mentioned the growing number of political imprisonments and demanded a firm position against such abuses.

Paul Yaw Boateng, Baron Boateng, from a personal perspective, reported the testimony of a Cuban taxi driver who described how his life is «a frightful government.»

Alexander Charles Carlile, Baron Carlile de Berriew, cited several recent reports of Human Rights Watch that denounce a systematic repression of civil and press freedoms on the island.

Given these accusations, Collins assured that the United Kingdom maintains a clear position: it demands the immediate and unconditional liberation of all political prisoners and will continue to work for concrete advances in human rights in Cuba.

Other topics such as Internet access went to the fore in the voice of John Thomas Alderdice, Baron Alderdice.

About this Lord Collins recalled that it is an issue that is part of the ongoing bilateral dialogue.