Congressman Chris Smith, Vice Chairman of the House Committee on International Relations, today fought on the House floor to secure passage of a resolution condemning the regime of Fidel Castro in Cuba for its gross violations of human rights.

    Smith has been a leader of efforts in Congress to link human rights reforms with efforts to lift the U.S. trade embargo with Cuba.

    “While the world’s eyes have been diverted, Fidel Castro has been trying to silence dissent with violence, show trials, and incarceration,” Smith said.  “With regard to the travel ban and embargo, the U.S. must say that actions speak louder than words.”

    “Since mid-March, Castro and his thugs have launched a massive crackdown on democracy advocates, including some of the best and brightest people in Cuba. These brutal actions should serve as a wakeup call for those in Congress and in other nations who call for lifting the U.S. travel ban and economic embargo with Cuba without any assurances that Castro will protect human rights and promote democracy,” Smith added.

    Smith pointed out in his statement that many foreign nations, including the European Community and Canada, have traded with Cuba for years while the human rights situation on the island has only worsened.

    “If trade promoted human rights, I’d be for it.  If trade is linked to human rights, the situation will improve,” Smith said.

    “This most recent attack on journalists, trade unionists, and democracy advocates is targeted at the cream of the crop and is designed to have a chilling effect on anyone who would promote liberty, democracy, and human rights standards,” Smith added.

    The resolution cosponsored by Smith calls for Castro to immediately release the political prisoners languishing in his jail, supports the efforts of Cuba’s democracy advocates, and calls upon the international community to refrain from extending benefits Cuba until Castro makes substantial reforms. 

    Smith has long advocated for relations with Cuba as long as Castro frees political prisoners, allows for free and fair elections, and extradites U.S. fugitives from justice who have been given safe haven in Cuba – including Jo Anne Chesimard who was convicted of murdering a New Jersey State Trooper but who escaped from prison in 1979.