June 3, 2011
BY: THE HILL
Former Brazilian President Lula da Silva has just concluded another visit to Castro's Cuba.
His last trip -- in February 2010 -- coincided with the tragic death (murder) of Cuban political prisoner and hunger striker, Orlando Zapata Tamayo.
At the time, Lula infamously stood silently by, while Cuban dictator Raul Castro laughed off Zapata's death.
This time, Lula was in Cuba as four young pro-democracy activists were tried, convicted and sentenced (all within a few hours) for the "crime" of peacefully distributing leaflets calling for freedom.
And -- once again -- Lula (inexcusably) lost another opportunity to stand on principle.
Meanwhile, foreign news bureaus in Havana, which covered Lula's visit to a port project in Mariel and a press conference upon his departure, (also inexcusably) lost an opportunity to ask him the following question:
President Lula, you have a long history of fighting for freedom of expression and liberty in Brazil.
Yesterday, four young Cubans were sentenced to years in prison for distributing leaflets calling for that same freedom of expression in Cuba.
Given your track record, did you plead with the Cuban government for their release?
Moreover, should distributing leaflets be considered a "crime"?
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