[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 573 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]







110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 573

Recognizing Cuba Solidarity Day and the struggle of the Cuban people as 
                  they continue to fight for freedom.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   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
    Resolved, 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.
                                 <all>