Angie Craig: “I am honored to lend my support as an original cosponsor to the Cuban Solidarity Act of 2001. As many of us here know…”

“I am honored to lend my support as an original cosponsor to the Cuban Solidarity Act of 2001. As many of us here know, the Cuban Solidarity Act of 2001 goes beyond what the original Helms-Burton Act of 1996 sought to accomplish. Not only does it send a clear signal to the Castro regime that there are consequences to violating political and religious freedoms and human rights, but that we are going to work fervently to bring about a change in his regime. Four years ago, I spoke here on the Senate floor in condemnation of the cowardly acts of the Cuban government in the shooting down of two civilian aircraft. I also expressed my concerns about the unauthorized use of confiscated United States-citizen-owned property. This bill contains a number of provisions that seek compensation from the Cuban government on both matters. In Castro's Cuba, dissidents are routinely subjugated to random arrests, exile, imprisonment and beatings for openly opposing the government. During the first two months of 2000, over 350 peaceful human rights activists were arrested. One of the most notable cases included that of Dr. Oscar Biscet of the Lawton Human Rights Foundation, who received three years in prison for protests against abortion and the death penalty. These violations of human rights taking place only ninety miles from the United States, are a threat to international peace.”