Elizabeth Jordan [Program Assistant, Human Rights Defenders Program of Human Rights First]: "Human Rights First does not consider the decrease in the number of political prisoners held in Cuba a reflection of a more favorable human rights environment on the island. In the spring of 2003, 75 men and women human rights defenders were imprisoned as part of a major crackdown on civil society. Today, 59 of these peaceful activists remain in prison; many of them are gravely ill. Repressive governments often use political prisoners as bargaining chips in diplomatic negotiations, and Cuba is no exception. Until Cuba releases all peaceful human rights defenders — and respects the basic human rights they defend, such as freedom of expression and association — the situation remains essentially unchanged.

That being said, Human Rights First welcomed the December announcement by Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque that Cuba would become party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and would submit to review by the UN Human Rights Council as part of the Universal Periodic Review mechanism. Cuba would be bound to uphold the rights enshrined in these treaties, opening potential new avenues to redress for human rights activists. While this announcement is a first step in the right direction for human rights in Cuba, it remains to be seen if Cuba is serious about adhering to the treaties."