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Press Release

LULAC National Board Issues Statement Of Support For Cuban Democracy And Human Rights.

October 20, 2006

Contact: Lizette Jenness Olmos
(202) 833-6130 ext.16
LJOlmos@LULAC.org
 

Washington, DC – The National Board of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) voted to adopt a statement of support calling for a peaceful transition to democracy in Cuba:

The Cuban government regime has continued to repress all attempts by the Cuban people to bring a democratic change to Cuba and denies universally recognized liberties and human rights, including freedom of speech, association, movement and the press. Thousands of political prisoners are currently imprisoned by the Cuban government’s totalitarian regime. In March 2003, the Cuban government carried out a massive island-wide crackdown on members of Cuba’s pro-democracy movement, during which pro-democracy activists were arbitrarily arrested, summarily tried, and sentenced to up to 28 years for their non-violent pro-democracy activities.

The U.S. Department of State’s 2004 Country Reports on Human Rights, refers to Cuba, stating, “Members of the security forces and prison officials continued to beat and abuse detainee and prisoners. Prison conditions remained harsh and life threatening and the government restricted medical care to some prisoners as a method of control. Prisoners died as a result.

Therefore, LULAC supports the following,

• Urges the international community, human rights organizations and religious organizations to support the Assembly’s mission to bring a peaceful transition to democracy in Cuba,

• Urges the U.S. government and the International community to actively oppose any attempts by the Cuban government to repress or punish the organizers and participants of the Assembly,

• Promotes and defends human rights and shares the pro-democracy ideals that will hasten the return of freedom and democracy for the people of Cuba,

• Calls for the immediate release of all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience from Cuban jails and prisons.

The League of United Latin American Citizens, the oldest and largest Latino membership organization in the country, advances the economic conditions, educational attainment, political influence, health and civil rights of Hispanic Americans through community-based programs operating at more than 700 LULAC councils nationwide.

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