[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 23]
[House]
[Page 31914]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                                  CUBA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, just last week we observed another 
Human Rights Day without freedom in Cuba.
  As to be expected, the regime had its thugs out in full force to 
harass and attack all who dared to walk the streets in support of this 
important day and what it represents to the world community. For 2 
days, the members of the peaceful Ladies in White group were pursued 
and harassed by agents of the regime. Marches and peaceful 
demonstrations in support of human rights and fundamental freedoms came 
to an abrupt end as state security forces rounded up, detained, and 
brutally attacked some of the participants.
  Yusnaimi Jorge Soca, wife of Dr. Darsi Ferrer, was one of the many 
apprehended by the secret police on her way to one of the planned 
marches at the Villalon Park in Havana. Dr. Ferrer is an Afro-Cuban 
civil rights leader currently imprisoned by the dictatorship. His 
alleged crime? ``Illegally'' purchasing materials to repair damages to 
his home. The truth? Dr. Ferrer has worked tirelessly to expose the 
reality of Castro's apartheid health care system and the abysmal 
disregard for fundamental freedom and human rights. Yusnaimi was 
threatened on this Human Rights Day by the Cuban dictatorship, as well 
as her husband, in an attempt to intimidate them into submission and 
silence.
  Those seeking freedom in Cuba, however, have shown time and time 
again that they will not waver in the face of repression.
  The Castro tyranny does not limit the application of its repressive 
tactics to the oppressed Cuban people, however. For example, Chris 
Stimpson, Second Secretary of the British Embassy, was also pursued and 
chased away by the regime's mob apparatus on Thursday. And on Friday, 
an American citizen was detained, likely in response to U.S. efforts to 
support the inalienable rights of the Cuban people. We are hopeful, 
Madam Speaker, for his immediate and safe return home soon.
  For the people of Cuba, every day is a desperate struggle to maintain 
a glimmer of hope for a brighter future. Hundreds and hundreds remain 
behind bars due to their refusal to give up on that brighter future. We 
must never lose sight of the plight of those living under this 
dictatorial regime. We must also not turn our backs on these 
individuals by cutting deals with their oppressors. We must not put 
principle over profit, security before popularity. Though the Castro 
tyranny may try to convince the world otherwise, it will never miss an 
opportunity to tighten its iron grip on liberty.
  It is time that the cruel veil of hypocrisy be lifted. The Cuban 
people are no less worthy of freedom and human rights than any other 
oppressed population. Nations and organizations and leaders worldwide, 
they do not hesitate to denounce the genocidal regime in Sudan, and I 
agree with them, or the brutal military junta in Burma, and I agree 
with them. However, they remain silent, and I don't agree with them, 
when it comes to the cries of those dying in Castro's jails because 
they seek freedom and democracy for their Cuban nation. How much more 
must the Cuban people suffer before the world acts decisively against 
this cruel regime and its communist leaders?
  Those who ignore the struggles of the Cuban people serve as willing 
accomplices to their brutal oppressors. As Cuban dissident Dr. Ferrer 
said in his jail cell in his call for all Cubans to peacefully 
commemorate Human Rights Day: ``Governments, institutions, 
organizations, and human beings in general have an obligation to 
promote respect for fundamental rights and freedoms as well as ensure 
the recognition and universal and effective application.''
  Dr. Ferrer continued: ``Our appeal will be for the recognition in 
every corner of the Earth for the inherent dignity and equal and 
inalienable rights of all members of the human family.''
  Today, Madam Speaker, let us renew our commitment to bring the light 
of freedom to those living in the darkness of oppression, wherever that 
darkness is. Today, let us make clear that we will not stand for 
another Human Rights Day without freedom in Cuba.

                          ____________________