CUBA
Documents & Texts from America.gov
08 May 2006
United States Condemns Continued Repression in Cuba
Washington – The United States condemns the continued repression of Cuba’s dissidents by the regime of Cuban dictator Fidel Castro, and looks forward to a day when basic freedoms are enjoyed by all Cubans, according to the U.S. State Department. On May 8, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack condemned the Cuban government’s recent harassment of peaceful dissidents, including those individuals who were prevented from participating in an April 25 videoconference sponsored by the U.S. Interests Section in Havana. In one case, a Cuban state agent entered the home of dissident leader Martha Beatriz Roque and attacked and injured her. In a related incident, dissident Elsa Morejon Almagro was shoved inside a taxi by two self-identified government security agents and forced to return home. Those dissidents who did participate in the videoconference also were subjected to harassment. Felix Bonne was confronted by a government-sponsored mob when he returned home from the event. The mob threatened to drag him through the streets if he continued his peaceful activities. In an April interview with the Washington File, one State Department official voiced objections to the Castro regime’s repression. “The U.S. government deplores these thuggish tactics aimed at preventing Cuban citizens from exercising the basic rights enjoyed by people in democratic nations throughout the world,” the official said. “The United States looks forward to the day when freedom of thought, expression, and movement are enjoyed by all Cubans.” On May 8, McCormack reiterated U.S. support for Cuba’s dissidents, including those victims of the Castro regime’s crackdown on 75 dissidents in the spring of 2003. (See related article.) “As we mark some of the grim milestones of the Cuban regime, including the third anniversary of the ‘Black Spring’ crackdown, and the 12th year in jail for political prisoner Francisco Chaviano, the United States reiterates its support for these brave individuals and all those in Cuba who are being deprived of the freedom they desire and deserve,” McCormack said. For additional information on U.S. policy, see Cuba.
(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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