[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 185 (Wednesday, December 5, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2501]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             UNETHICAL IMPRISONMENT OF PABLO PACHECO AVILA

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                            HON. ALBIO SIRES

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 5, 2007

  Mr. SIRES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to the 
continued injustice facing a Cuban prisoner of conscience, Pablo 
Pacheco Avila. In March of 2003, Cuban authorities led a crackdown on 
dissident movements. One of their victims was independent political 
journalist, Pablo Pacheco. Under Law 88, persons found guilty of 
destabilizing the Cuban regime by supporting the policy of the United 
States can be sentenced to many years in prison. Pablo Pacheco was 
sentenced to 20 years in prison under Cuban Law 88. By simply 
expressing political opinions and exercising the right to free speech, 
Pablo Pacheco and over 70 other people were arrested.
  Pablo Pacheco began his prison sentence in Prison de Aguice in Colon, 
but has since been transferred several times. During this time, the 
prisoner's health has been declining, as Pablo suffers from renal 
ectopia of his right kidney. In a country renowned for its medical 
care, it appears difficult for Pablo to receive the attention he needs. 
He continues to suffer from severe pain. His medical conditions have 
been exacerbated by the harassment he has experienced in the Cuban 
prison system. While in prison, Pablo Pacheco has continued his fight 
to expose the failings of the Cuban regime, resulting in further 
punishments.
  I urge the Cuban regime to end this unethical imprisonment of Pablo 
Pacheco Avila. His status as a prisoner of conscience and his declining 
health urgently call for his immediate release.

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