Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the two-year anniversary of the human rights crackdown in Cuba.

Bill: 109-hconres-81
Sponsor: Rep. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ-13]
Introduced: 2005-03-02 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Arrest
Caribbean area
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Commemorations
Congress
Congressional tributes
Cuba
Democracy
Dissenters
Employee rights
Europe
European Union
Freedom of the press
Government Operations and Politics
Human rights
International agencies
Labor and Employment
Labor unions
Latin America
Law
Opposition (Political science)
Political parties
Political prisoners
Press
Reporters and reporting
Rule of law
Treaties
United Nations

Summary:
action_date: 2005-03-02
text: 
Condemns the arrest of more than 75 journalists, labor union organizers, civic leaders, librarians, and human rights activists as political prisoners in March 2003, and the Cuban regime's continuing crackdown against the internal opposition and the independent press. 
 
Demands that the Cuban regime release all political prisoners, legalize all political parties, labor unions, and the press, and hold free elections. 
 
Declares that the acts of the Cuban regime, including its widespread and systematic violation of human rights, violate the United Nations (UN) Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and that the rule of law should replace the rule of force in Cuba.
 
Calls for: (1) the European Union (EU), as well as other countries and international organizations, to pressure the Cuban regime to improve its human rights record; and (2) UN member countries to vote against the Cuban regime's membership in the UN Commission on Human Rights, and for passage of a Commission resolution that holds the Cuban regime accountable for its gross violations of human rights and civil liberties.

action_date: 2005-04-27
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

 
Condemns the arrest of more than 75 journalists, labor union organizers, civic leaders, librarians, and human rights activists as political prisoners in March 2003, and the Cuban regime's continuing crackdown against the internal opposition and the independent press. 
 
Expresses admiration and solidarity with the Cuban internal opposition and independent press.
 
Demands that the Cuban regime release all political prisoners, legalize all political parties, labor unions, and the press, and hold free elections. 
 
Declares that the acts of the Cuban regime, including its widespread and systematic violation of human rights, violate the United Nations (UN) Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and that the rule of law should replace the rule of force in Cuba.
 
Calls for: (1) the European Union (EU), as well as other countries and international organizations, to pressure the Cuban regime to improve its human rights record; and (2) UN member countries to vote against the Cuban regime's membership in the UN Commission on Human Rights, and for passage of a Commission resolution that holds the Cuban regime accountable for its gross violations of human rights and civil liberties.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2005-04-28
text: Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2005-04-27
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2005-04-27
text: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 398 - 27, 2 Present (Roll no. 137). (text: CR 4/26/2005 H2503)
action_date: 2005-04-27
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 398 - 27, 2 Present (Roll no. 137).(text: CR 4/26/2005 H2503)
action_date: 2005-04-27
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2577-2578)
action_date: 2005-04-26
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2005-04-26
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Con. Res. 81.
action_date: 2005-04-26
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2503-2506)
action_date: 2005-04-26
text: Mr. Smith (NJ) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.
action_date: 2005-03-09
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2005-03-02
text: Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.
action_date: 2005-03-02
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2005-03-02
text: Introduced in House