The rapporteur of the U.N. Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on Thursday asked Cuba to learn from the example of recent events in the Arab world to carry out democratic reforms on the communist island.

Pastor Elias Murillo Martinez said that what has occurred in countries like Egypt and Tunisia constitutes, "despite the historical and cultural differences, a call to all governments of the world to choose the road of democracy."

Murillo made his remarks during his speech at the session of the Committee to review the report in which Cuba displays its respect for the international convention on the elimination of racial discrimination.

New Delhi, Feb 18 (IANS) Ties between India and Cuba may soon reach new levels after a top official of a medical research organisation in Havana met Indian scientists to discuss ways to enhance usage of natural medicine.

Concepcion Campa, director of the Finlay Institute in Havana, met scientists and researchers from the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH), the Central Council for Research in Yoga and Naturopathy (CCRYN) and the Ayurvedic Research Centre, during a recent visit to the Indian capital, according to a statement from the Cuban embassy.

An outspoken critic of the Cuban government, award winning blogger Yoani Sanchez updates her blog, named ’Generation Y’ on a regular basis.

However, the 35-year old graduate student writes clouded in controversy as she criticises but offers a first-hand, honest and descriptive insight into the Communist state.

But since 2008, her blog has been blocked in her native country, seemingly only available to those who can access a democratic Internet.

Two political prisoners who had refused to leave prison were freed against their wishes on Saturday as Cuba released more jailed government opponents.

Hector Maseda and Angel Moya were among the last of 52 prisoners President Raul Castro agreed to release in a deal brokered in July by the Roman Catholic Church.

Maseda, whose wife, Laura Pollan, heads the "Ladies in White," Cuba's leading dissident group, was told Friday he could go free after almost eight years behind bars. But he said he would not leave until the government dropped its insistence on keeping him on parole.