H. Res. 99

In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

March 23, 1999.

Whereas the United Nations Commission on Human Rights

in Geneva, Switzerland, is an international mechanism to

express support for the protection and defense of the inherent natural rights of humankind and a forum for discussing the human rights situation throughout the world

and condemning abuses and gross violations of these liberties;

Whereas the actions taken by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights establish precedents for further

courses of action and send messages to the international

community that the protection and promotion of human

rights is a priority;

Whereas the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which

guides global human rights policy asserts that all human

beings are born free and live in dignity with rights;

Whereas international human rights organizations, the InterAmerican Commission on Human Rights, and the Department of State all concur that the Government of

Cuba continues to systematically violate the fundamental

civil and political rights of its citizens;

Whereas it is carefully documented that the Government of

Cuba propagates and encourages the routine harassment,
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intimidation, arbitrary arrest, detention, imprisonment,

and defamation of those who voice their opposition

against the government;

Whereas the Government of Cuba engages in torture and

other cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment or punishment against political prisoners including the use of

electroshock, intense beatings, and extended periods of

solitary confinement without nutrition or medical attention, to force them into submission;

Whereas the Government of Cuba suppresses the right to

freedom of expression and freedom of association and recently enacted legislation which carries penalties of up to

30 years for dissidents and independent journalists;

Whereas religious freedom in Cuba is severely circumscribed

and clergy and lay people suffer sustained persecution by

the Cuban State Security apparatus;

Whereas the Government of Cuba routinely restricts workers’

rights including the right to form independent unions;

Whereas the Government of Cuba denies its people equal protection under the law, enforcing a judicial system which

infringes upon fundamental rights while denying recourse

against the violation of human rights and civil liberties;

Whereas in recent weeks the Government of Cuba has carried

out a brutal crackdown of the brave internal opposition

and independent press, arresting scores of peaceful opponents without cause or justification;

Whereas the internal opposition in Cuba is working intensely

and valiantly to draw international attention to Cuba’s

deplorable human rights situation and continues to

strengthen and grow in its opposition to the Government

of Cuba;
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Whereas at this time of great repression, the internal opposition requires and deserves the firm and unwavering support and solidarity of the international community; and

Whereas the Congress of the United States has stood, consistently, on the side of the Cuban people and supported

their right to be free: Now therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

(1) condemns in the strongest possible terms the repressive crackdown by the Government of Cuba against

the brave internal opposition and the independent press;

(2) expresses its profound admiration and firm solidarity with the internal opposition and independent

press of Cuba;

(3) demands that the Government of Cuba release

all political prisoners, legalize all political parties, labor

unions, and the press, and schedule free and fair elections;

(4) urges the Administration, at the 55th Session of

the United Nations Human Rights Commission in Geneva, Switzerland, to take all steps necessary to secure

international support for, and passage of, a resolution

which condemns the Cuban Government for its gross

abuses of the rights of the Cuban people and for continued violations of all international human rights standards and legal principles, and calls for the reinstatement
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of the United Nations Special Rapporteur for Human

Rights in Cuba;

(5) declares the acts of the Government of Cuba, including its widespread and systematic violation of human

rights, to be in violation of the charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;

(6) urges the President to nominate a special envoy

to advocate, internationally, for the establishment of the

rule of law for the Cuban people; and

(7) urges the President to continue to actively seek

support from individual nations, as well as the United

Nations, the Organization of American States, the European Union, and all other international organizations to

call for the establishment of the rule of law for the

Cuban people.

Attest:

Clerk.