H. Res. 193

In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

May 10, 2005.

Whereas Fidel Castro’s terrorist regime has continued to repress all attempts by the Cuban people to bring democratic change to Cuba and denies universally recognized

liberties, including freedom of speech, association, movement, and the press;

Whereas thousands of political prisoners are currently imprisoned by Fidel Castro’s totalitarian regime;

Whereas in March 2003 Fidel Castro carried out a massive,

island wide crackdown on members of Cuba’s pro-democracy movement, under which pro-democracy activists were

arrested, subjected to ‘‘summary trials’’, and sentenced

to up to 28 years in prison for their pro-democracy activities;

Whereas the Department of State’s 2004 Country Reports on

Human Rights Practices, in referring to Castro’s Cuba,

states: ‘‘Members of the security forces and prison officials continued to beat and abuse detainees and prisoners, including human rights activists. . . . Prison conditions remained harsh and life threatening, and the Government restricted medical care to some prisoners as a

method of control. Prisoners died in jail due to lack of

medical care.’’;
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•HRES 193 EH

Whereas on May 20, 1902, the Republic of Cuba obtained its

independence;

Whereas in the spirit of Jose Marti, many of the future leaders of a free Cuba have called for a meeting of the Assembly of the Civil Society in Cuba, an organization that

consists of over 360 opposition and civil society organizations in Cuba;

Whereas on May 20, 2005, the Assembly to Promote the

Civil Society in Cuba seeks to convene an historic meeting in Havana on the 103rd anniversary of Cuban Independence;

Whereas the Assembly to Promote the Civil Society in Cuba

will focus on bringing democracy and liberty to the

enslaved island of Cuba;

Whereas the Assembly to Promote the Civil Society in Cuba

is led by three courageous pro-democracy opponents of

the Castro regime—Martha Beatriz Roque Cabello, Felix

Bonne Carcasses, and Rene Gomez Manzano;

Whereas organizers and participants are convening a meeting

of the Assembly to Promote the Civil Society in Cuba at

great risk to themselves and their families; and

Whereas President George W. Bush stated in his second inaugural address on January 20, 2005: ‘‘All who live in

tyranny and hopelessness can know: the United States

will not ignore your oppression, or excuse your oppressors. When you stand for your liberty, we will stand with

you. Democratic reformers facing repression, prison, or

exile can know: America sees you for who you are—the

future leaders of your free country.’’: Now, therefore, be

it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives—
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•HRES 193 EH

(1) extends its support and solidarity to the organizers and participants of the historic meeting of the Assembly to Promote the Civil Society in Cuba on May 20,

2005, in Havana;

(2) urges the international community to support

the Assembly’s mission to bring democracy to Cuba;

(3) urges the Administration and international community to actively oppose any attempts by the Castro regime to repress or punish the organizers and participants of the Assembly; and

(4) shares the pro-democracy ideals of the Assembly

to Promote the Civil Society in Cuba and believes that

this Assembly and others will hasten the day of freedom

and democracy for the people of Cuba.

Attest:

Clerk.