Human rights abuses in Cuba will be the topic of a House hearing set for Thursday, Feb. 5 by U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), chairman of the House global human rights subcommittee.

       “This hearing will examine the still-deplorable state of human rights in Cuba, especially the regime’s treatment of Afro-Cubans, who face discrimination on a day-to-day basis,” Smith said. “The Obama Administration, in its haste to achieve a breakthrough in Cuba, missed an opportunity to better conditions on the island and to hold the Castro regime to certain basic human rights standards in exchange for normalizing relations.  The Administration is wrong to attempt a sea change in policy toward Cuba without congressional input and in apparent disregard of well-established law, not to mention concern for the well-being of the Cuban people, who suffer under a communist dictatorship which has shown no signs of reform.”
 

WHAT:      Congressional hearing entitled “Human Rights in Cuba: A Squandered Opportunity”

WHO:         Smith, members of the Subcommittee on Africa and global human rights, and witnesses from human rights non-government organizations (NGOs):

• Jorge Luis García Pérez, Secretary General, Cuban National Civic Resistance Front;
• Berta Soler Fernández, Leader, Damas de Blanco (Ladies in White);
• Sara Martha Fonseca Quevedo, Member, Damas de Blanco (Ladies in White), and;
• Geoff Thale, Program Director, Washington Office on Latin America.

     Additionally, New Jersey State Police Fraternal Association President Christopher Burgos to submit written testimony for the congressional record regarding fugitive and convicted cop-killer Joanne Chesimard.

WHEN:          Thursday, Feb. 5 at 10 a.m.
 
WHERE:        Room 2172 in the Rayburn House Office Building (first floor).