UN sees no significant change in human rights' situation in Cuba

The United Nations human rights investigator to Cuba has said there has been no significant change in the human rights situation on the island over the past year.

The report says Cubans continue to receive prison sentences for offences related to freedom of expression.

The investigator urged the Cuban government to stop harassing political dissidents and to release all political prisoners.

The report also says the United States' embargo against Cuba is helping to prop up the Cuban regime, because it serves as a pretext for surpressing demands for political change.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service