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Kubánský disident Roland Jiménez Pozada s rodinou
Photo: Robert Janás (MZV)
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The Czech Republic grants asylum to a Cuban political prisoner and his family

 

On Tuesday, October 26, 2010, a Cuban political prisoner and dissident, who was released from Cuban prison last week, arrived to Prague. In the Czech Republic, both he and members of his family will be granted asylum.

Kubánský disident Roland Jiménez Pozada s rodinou a ministr vnitra Radek JohnReceiving of the former Cuban political prisoner and his family is a confirmation of a long-standing position of the Czech Republic towards the support of a democratic opposition and civil society in Cuba. For the first time, Czech Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Karel Schwarzenberg has declared the readiness of the Czech Republic as early as during the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels on July 26, 2010, in reaction to the launch of the process of release of Cuban political prisoners. At the same time, Minister Schwarzenberg underlined the necessity for the released political prisoners to be free to decide whether they wish to remain in Cuba or whether they would accept the offer to start a new life outside the Cuban borders. The Czech Republic is ready to grant asylum to up to 10 people and became the second EU country to receive released political prisoners from Cuba within its territory.

Granting the asylum is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Interior of the Czech Republic. The Czech Republic thereby expresses not only its endeavour to help the released Cuban dissidents in their difficult life situation, but also humanitarian principles of its foreign policy.

The family of the former political prisoner will be provided all necessary assistance including relevant health care.

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