UN secretary-general wants human rights boost in Cuba to build on ‘encouraging’ release

UN chief wants human rights improvement from Cuba

GENEVA — The U.N. secretary-general says Cuba should build on its release of at least 20 dissidents by doing more to improve human rights.

Ban Ki-moon welcomed last week’s transfer of 11 Cuban prisoners to Spain. Nine more are expected to arrive Tuesday, along with around 50 of their relatives.

Speaking in Geneva, Ban said Monday that he has closely followed the developments. He called them “encouraging.”

But he said the U.N. still expects “more reconciliatory measures taken by Cuban authorities, establishing the rule of law and respecting human rights.”

Cuba is committed to releasing 52 imprisoned dissidents under a deal with the Spanish government and Catholic Church.