[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 72 (Wednesday, May 14, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E946]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     CONDEMNING THE CUBAN REGIME FOR ITS INTIMIDATION AND VIOLENT 
              SUPPRESSION OF PRO-DEMOCRACY CUBAN ADVOCATES

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 14, 2003

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, the exercise of political and 
civil liberties, including freedom of expression, assembly, 
association, movement, press, and the right to multiparty elections, 
are fundamental rights. These fundamental rights belong to every 
individual, be it in the United States, Iraq, or Cuba; these rights are 
universal.
  Nevertheless, regardless of this truth, the Cuban Government has 
carried out summary trials to expeditiously sentence prodemocracy 
leaders to try to intimidate and silence other prodemocracy activists 
on the island, while world attention is primarily focused on Iraq.
  The oppressive Cuban Government has attempted to suppress the will of 
its own people on fabricated charges, accusing pro-democracy activists 
for purportedly ``working with a foreign power to undermine the 
government.'' Fearing a peaceful transition to democracy in Cuba, under 
two draconian laws, the Fidel Castro regime has tried to silence the 
inherent right of individuals to freedom.
  I rise to vehemently denounce these actions.
  Mr. Speaker, in early 2003, dozens of supporters of the Oswaldo 
Paya's Varela Project were harassed, jailed, and threatened. On 
February 18, 2003, two members of the Oswaldo Paya's Christian 
Liberation Movement, Jesus Mustafa Felipe and Robert Montero, were 
sentenced to 18 months in prison on charges of contempt and resisting 
arrest.
  On March 18, 2003, the Cuban Government began a massive crackdown on 
democracy activists. About 80 activists were arrested and made subject 
to swift trials and prosecutions that began on April 3, 2003. Foreign 
journalists and diplomats were excluded from the trials. Within days, 
over 50 of the activists had received prison terms ranging from 6 to 28 
years. These sentences, which are an example of the dependency of the 
judiciary branch on the will of Fidel Castro, further call into 
question the legitimacy of Castro's regime. I condemn the illegitimacy 
of the Cuban judiciary system, and the Cuban Government.
  In a further deterioration of Cuba's rule of law, on April 11, 2003, 
the Cuban Government executed three men who had hijacked a ferry in 
Havana in an attempt to reach the United States. The men were executed 
by firing squads after summary trials that were held behind close 
doors; four other ferry hijackers received life sentence while another 
received 30 years in prison.
  Although their crimes should have been punished, this dismal excuse 
for a judicial system never allowed the suspects a chance. In one of 
the most deplorable signs of judicial dependency of the past decade, 
the three men accused of hijacking the ferry never received a fair 
trial. Under the Cuban ``Kangaroo Courts,'' they were found guilty in 
three days, and only given a few days to appeal their sentences before 
being executed by a firing squad a day later. I am appalled at these 
murders.
  Disgusted by the crudeness of the Cuban Government's repression, on 
April 8, 2003, I supported House Resolution 179, which condemns the 
Cuban Government's crackdown, calls for the immediate release of all 
political prisoners, and endorses basic human rights and free elections 
in Cuba.
  I will continue my high level of advocacy for a democratic Cuba in 
the 108th Congress, supporting a variety of legislative initiatives 
regarding sanctions, human rights, and drug interdiction cooperation. 
But more importantly, I will tirelessly labor to help bring democracy 
and respect for human rights to the island of Cuba.
  In conclusion, I praise the courage of those Cubans who have been 
targeted in this most recent government crackdown, and strongly condemn 
the recent arrests and murders committed by Castro's regime.

                          ____________________