Cuba Still Fails On Human Rights

One party rule remains the law of the land, and when elections are held
they are neither free nor fair.

The U.S. again urges the Cuban government to allow the Red Cross and
United Nations officials to visit Cuban jails.

For 34 years, the United States has reviewed the state of human rights
around the world, to provide the U.S. Congress with a record to help it
make decisions on U.S. relations with other nations. Human rights begin
with a fundamental commitment to the dignity that is the birthright of
all people, and the report is a fair measure of assessing how a country
measures up to that ideal, in the interests of its citizens and the
greater international community. As it has so many times in previous
years, Cuba continues to fail in that regard.

Since the 2009 Human Rights report was released, the island nation's
government has made no effort to expand political freedoms. One party
rule remains the law of the land, and when elections are held they are
neither free nor fair. Citizens have no avenues to press for change.
There also remain strict limitations on freedom of expression and
freedom of movement. Internal travel is restricted and Cuban citizens
are selectively denied exit permits to leave the island even for short
trips. There is no free press. The government also censors and greatly
restricts access to the Internet.

Draconian laws maintain state control, allowing for punishment of any
unauthorized assembly of more than 3 persons, including private
religious services. The law also provides for imprisonment for vaguely
defined crimes such as "dangerousness," a pre-emptive arrest for a crime
that hasn't been committed. The government has held numerous opposition
leaders on such authority on prison sentences up to 25 years, even for
engaging in peaceful political activities.

Underscoring the lack of change in Cuba, the release of this year's
Human Rights Report coincides with the anniversary of the 2003 Black
Spring crackdown in which 75 activists were arrested. Fifty-three are
still jailed. Their imprisonment violates international human rights
law, which as a member of the United Nations, Cuba is obliged to respect.

The U.S. again urges the Cuban government to allow the Red Cross and
United Nations officials to visit Cuban jails. The necessity for this
was sadly demonstrated by the recent death of prisoner of conscience
Orlando Zapata Tamayo. And as always, we urge Cuba to release all of
its prisoners of conscience.