The congressional hearing, entitled “Human Rights in Cuba: A Squandered Opportunity,” heard the testimony of former Cuban political prisoners who spent as many as 20-plus years in prison, and suffered numerous instances of abuse, including torture, and discrimination and other human rights violations.

“This hearing is not only about Castro regime accountability, but also Obama Administration accountability, with Congress exercising its role of both oversight and as a bully pulpit for reminding the world that Cuba remains a Communist dictatorship which continues to arrest political dissidents – an estimated 178 in this last month alone – and one whose caudillo, Raul Castro, has declared would not change, even in response to the Obama Administration’s concessions,” Smith said. (Click here to read the chairman’s remarks or here to read Smith’s comentarios en español.)
 

The entire hearing was carried live by C-SPAN and can be viewed by clicking here.

Witnesses from human rights non-government organizations (NGOs) included Jorge Luis García Pérez, Secretary General, Cuban National Civic Resistance Front; Berta Soler Fernández, a leader of the Damas de Blanco (Ladies in White), and; Sara Martha Fonseca Quevedo, a member of Damas de Blanco).

“We do not agree with the negotiations between the Obama Administration and the illegitimate Castro Regime,” said Fonesca Quevedo. “Why negotiate with a dictatorship without taking into account the Cuban people and its Resistance? What about all of these years of suffering? Why should a regime with such a consistent history of repressing its own people be considered a legitimate partner in a negotiation process? What concession has Raul Castro made? Only when all political prisoners are released, when independent political parties and labor unions can be organized, only when free multiparty elections can be carried out, only when civil rights are fully respected, only then should economic sanctions on the Castro Regime be lifted.”

Smith noted that the dictatorship continues to protect convicted U.S. criminals who enjoy safe haven in the island nation.

“This Castro regime continues to harbor fugitives from justice such as Joanne Chesimard, who was convicted in the 1973 murder of a state trooper in my home state of New Jersey, Officer Werner Foerster,” Smith said.

The New Jersey State Trooper Fraternal Association President, Christopher Burgos issued a written hearing statement regarding fugitive and convicted murderer Joanne Chesimard. Click here to read or watch the testimonies.

“The country of Cuba and the Castro regime have a long history of repression of human rights, despotism, and brutality that has forced countless Cubans to seek refuge in the United States of America in search of freedom and a better life,” said Burgos. “We believe that restoring diplomatic relations, without a clear commitment from the Cuban government of the steps they will take to reverse decades of human rights violations, will not result in a better and more just Cuba for its people. At this juncture in re-establishing diplomatic relations, we believe there is an opportunity for Cuba and its government to show the American people and the citizens of the State of New Jersey it is serious about change.

“The Cuban government has been providing safe haven to a Cop-Killer, convicted murdered Joanne Chesimard, a woman designated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a domestic terrorist, and the first woman ever placed on the FBI’s ‘Most Wanted’ Terrorist List,” Burgos said. Click here to read Burgos' testimony.

Smith also stated that he was working on legislation to address Cuban human rights and hoped to visit victims of human rights abuse in Cuba.

“I intend to introduce legislation that will complement our existing legislation on Cuba, in particular Helms-Burton, making sure that important human rights milestones are met before our government makes concessions that are effectively unilateral, squandering leverage,” Smith said.

As to Smith’s hope to obtain a visa and travel to Cuba to visit victims of human rights violations, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a native of Cuba and longtime advocate for human rights in her native country, said: “I hope you get your visa. Don’t hold your breath.”

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