III 110th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 573 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 21, 2008 Mr. Martinez (for himself, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Ensign, Mr. Nelson of Florida, Mr. Coleman, and Mr. Lieberman) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Recognizing Cuba Solidarity Day and the struggle of the Cuban people as they continue to fight for freedom.

Whereas the Cuban regime continues to deny the basic human rights of its citizens; Whereas the Cuban people are denied freedom of the press, freedom of speech, and freedom to peaceful assembly; Whereas the Cuban regime refuses to hold free and fair elections in order to elect a democratic government that represents the will of the people; Whereas Freedom House recently rated Cuba as 1 of the 8 most oppressive regimes in the world; Whereas the Cuban regime is currently holding more than 220 political prisoners according to Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and Reporters Without Borders; Whereas these prisoners are illegally held in prison contrary to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Cuba has signed and recognizes; Whereas 55 of the 75 political activists imprisoned in the March 2003 crackdown (known as Black Spring) including independent journalists and union members, remain in prison; Whereas the wives of these prisoners, known as the Ladies in White, continue to be assaulted for simply seeking information regarding the March 2003 arrests, most recently on April 21, 2008, when the Ladies in White were violently dragged from a peaceful sit-in by Cuban officials; Whereas prisoners face inhuman and unsafe prison conditions, including the denial of medical treatment; and Whereas on May 21, 2008, communities around the world will celebrate Cuba Solidarity Day, a day for the world to join together in the fight against oppression in Cuba: Now therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1)celebrates Cuba Solidarity Day; (2)recognizes the injustices faced by the people of Cuba under the current regime; and (3)stands in solidarity with the Cuban people as they continue to work towards democratic change in their homeland.