Bob Menendez: “Cuba is a totalitarian state controlled by Fidel Castro. The Government's human rights record remains a poor one. It…”

“Cuba is a totalitarian state controlled by Fidel Castro. The Government's human rights record remains a poor one. It continues to violate systematically the fundamental civil and political rights of its citizens, who do not have the right to change their government peacefully. The Government retaliates systematically against those who seek political change. Members of the State security forces and prison officials continue to beat and otherwise abuse detainees and prisoners, neglecting them, isolating them and denying them medical treatment. The authorities routinely threaten, arbitrarily arrest, detain, imprison and defame human rights advocates and members of independent professional associations, often with the goal of coercing them into leaving the country. The government severely restricts worker rights, including the right to form independent trade unions. It requires children to do farm work without compensation during their summer vacation. Political prisoners are estimated at between 300 and 400 persons. Charges of disseminating enemy propaganda can bring sentences of up to 14 years. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, international reports of human rights violations and mainstream foreign newspapers and magazines constitute enemy propaganda. The Government controls all access to the Internet, and all email messages are subject to censorship. All media must operate under party guidelines and reflect government views.”