“The Castro Regime’s Ongoing Violations of Civil and Political Rights” is the topic of a House hearing set for Wednesday by U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), chairman of the global human rights subcommittee.

“This hearing will examine the human rights situation in Cuba, where it seems disregard for civil and political rights has gotten worse, not better, since the President’s much-trumpeted visit to the island six weeks ago,” Smith said. “The regime continues to jail and beat political dissidents, with even extrajudicial killings apparently sanctioned. That we are convening the hearing on July 13 is significant, as it is the anniversary of the tugboat massacre of 1994, when 37 victims, including 11 children, were killed by the regime. The Obama Administration cannot allow concerns over its ‘legacy’ to muffle its voice when it should be loudly insisting that the rights of the Cuban people be respected.”

WHAT:      Congressional hearing on Human Rights in Cuba

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

• Dr. Óscar Elías Biscet, M.D., President of the Lawton Foundation for Human Rights and former Cuban political prisoner
• Sirley Ávila León, Democracy Advocate
• Maria Werlau, President of the Free Society Project
• Geoff Thale, Program Director, Washington Office on Latin America

WHEN:          Wednesday, July 13 at 3:30 p.m.

WHERE:        Room 2172 in the Rayburn House Office Building (first floor).

###