[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 99 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                 In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

                                                        March 23, 1999.
Whereas the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in Geneva, Switzerland, is 
        an international mechanism to express support for the protection and 
        defense of the inherent natural rights of humankind and a forum for 
        discussing the human rights situation throughout the world and 
        condemning abuses and gross violations of these liberties;
Whereas the actions taken by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights 
        establish precedents for further courses of action and send messages to 
        the international community that the protection and promotion of human 
        rights is a priority;
Whereas the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which guides global human 
        rights policy asserts that all human beings are born free and live in 
        dignity with rights;
Whereas international human rights organizations, the Inter-American Commission 
        on Human Rights, and the Department of State all concur that the 
        Government of Cuba continues to systematically violate the fundamental 
        civil and political rights of its citizens;
Whereas it is carefully documented that the Government of Cuba propagates and 
        encourages the routine harassment, intimidation, arbitrary arrest, 
        detention, imprisonment, and defamation of those who voice their 
        opposition against the government;
Whereas the Government of Cuba engages in torture and other cruel, inhumane, and 
        degrading treatment or punishment against political prisoners including 
        the use of electroshock, intense beatings, and extended periods of 
        solitary confinement without nutrition or medical attention, to force 
        them into submission;
Whereas the Government of Cuba suppresses the right to freedom of expression and 
        freedom of association and recently enacted legislation which carries 
        penalties of up to 30 years for dissidents and independent journalists;
Whereas religious freedom in Cuba is severely circumscribed and clergy and lay 
        people suffer sustained persecution by the Cuban State Security 
        apparatus;
Whereas the Government of Cuba routinely restricts workers' rights including the 
        right to form independent unions;
Whereas the Government of Cuba denies its people equal protection under the law, 
        enforcing a judicial system which infringes upon fundamental rights 
        while denying recourse against the violation of human rights and civil 
        liberties;
Whereas in recent weeks the Government of Cuba has carried out a brutal 
        crackdown of the brave internal opposition and independent press, 
        arresting scores of peaceful opponents without cause or justification;
Whereas the internal opposition in Cuba is working intensely and valiantly to 
        draw international attention to Cuba's deplorable human rights situation 
        and continues to strengthen and grow in its opposition to the Government 
        of Cuba;
Whereas at this time of great repression, the internal opposition requires and 
        deserves the firm and unwavering support and solidarity of the 
        international community; and
Whereas the Congress of the United States has stood, consistently, on the side 
        of the Cuban people and supported their right to be free: Now therefore, 
        be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) condemns in the strongest possible terms the repressive 
        crackdown by the Government of Cuba against the brave internal 
        opposition and the independent press;
            (2) expresses its profound admiration and firm solidarity with the 
        internal opposition and independent press of Cuba;
            (3) demands that the Government of Cuba release all political 
        prisoners, legalize all political parties, labor unions, and the press, 
        and schedule free and fair elections;
            (4) urges the Administration, at the 55th Session of the United 
        Nations Human Rights Commission in Geneva, Switzerland, to take all 
        steps necessary to secure international support for, and passage of, a 
        resolution which condemns the Cuban Government for its gross abuses of 
        the rights of the Cuban people and for continued violations of all 
        international human rights standards and legal principles, and calls for 
        the reinstatement of the United Nations Special Rapporteur for Human 
        Rights in Cuba;
            (5) declares the acts of the Government of Cuba, including its 
        widespread and systematic violation of human rights, to be in violation 
        of the charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of 
        Human Rights;
            (6) urges the President to nominate a special envoy to advocate, 
        internationally, for the establishment of the rule of law for the Cuban 
        people; and
            (7) urges the President to continue to actively seek support from 
        individual nations, as well as the United Nations, the Organization of 
        American States, the European Union, and all other international 
        organizations to call for the establishment of the rule of law for the 
        Cuban people.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.