. i could continue. this administration must defend democracy. we cannot call for democratic reform and values throughout the world if we abandon them 90 miles from our shores. thank you for this time. welcome to our panelists. >> thank you for that extraordinarily powerful statement in your support not only of the cuban people but people who are dealing with tyranny all over the world. ..

as i discussed yesterday with administration witnesses during her full committee hearing i continue to have deep concerns about how the cuban government treats its citizens but it's clear the united states policy on cuba over the past several decades has not worked either. i either. i'm hopeful president obama is ever to engage real substantive negotiations to a more honest cultural exchange economic trade and diplomatic ties with cuba will benefit the united states and more importantly the cuban people. i hope the cuban government will come to the negotiating table with a desire to work with the united states toward a more free open and tolerant society for the cuban people and it's very important for us to pay close attention to the ongoing negotiations to make sure any changes are in any changes aren't limited in a way that maintains her commitment to

basic values and human rights. i thank the witnesses for being here and look forward to your perspective and relationship between united states and cuba begins to change them at that i yield back mr. chairman. >> i yield to my good friend and colleague who has been a very powerful voice mario diaz-balart and thank you for joining us. he's a member of the appropriations committee and is honored to have you here. >> let me thank you for the opportunity to sit in for a few minutes. i will not stay for the entirety of the hearing because i have other meetings to go to but i could not let this moment pass without thanking you sir for your just steadfast leadership and your consistent leadership. whether it has been fighting for freedom and supporting the opposition in vietnam and communist china and north korea wherever there have been oppression mr. chairman you have always been consistent just like

chairman iliana ros-lehtinen and i want to but thank both of you that i just want to make a couple of comments and the ranking member of was very kind in her introduction and mentioned how some of this might have some family history. the issue of human rights has nothing to do with family history because i for one am opposed to oppression in communist china, and north korea, in vietnam and i don't know i was a very young man when we had sanctions against south africa and i supported the sanctions in south africa. i'm assuming the ranking member was also opposed to sanctions in south africa because i'm assuming obviously she is also less consistent as the chairman is on these issues. i supported as a young man the sanctions against south africa because doing business with the apartheid regime was not the

folks that were struggling for freedom. all it does was help prop up that regime in south africa. mr. chairman i could let this time slaiby. >> and i asked the gentleman to yield for a minute? >> i really was on to trying to acknowledge the fact that people at personal head -- people or personal situations and i wasn't trying to say that was the only reason you are concerned about cuba. it's hard to have a different opinion. i just wanted to respect what i knew you and iliana's family has been there and that was all. >> i think the ranking woman as i said for your kind statements and i took it as a kind statement that i'm saying the issue of human rights in the consistency on that is important. when we look at the folks that are here today i mention south africa.

in front of us today are the mandela's, the future leaders of a free and democratic cuba. when folks talk about cuba they sometimes confuse the regime with cuba. no this is cuba in front of us today. they who have spent years in prison, 17 years in prison. ask him about the conditions of the prisons. ask them about how well the cuban people are treated. just go to youtube and look at her videos to find out how respected and how well the cuban people who dared just speak out for freedom are treated. ask burqa solaris about what

happens when you walk peacefully with a flower in your hand going to church and ask for freedom of their relatives. ask her how the cuban people are treated. so at a time when during the state of the union our president spoke about cuba and by the way for the first time in my recollection did i see a president speak in the state of the union about cuba, not even mentioning not even mentioning human rights. not even mentioning democracy. not even give lip service to elections in cuba. i am grateful to you mr. chairman for bringing these heroes the future leaders, them and others the future leaders of cuba to this united states congress to testify. again at a time when our

president has decided to ignore the repression, the arrests and even the sending of farms to north korea on the castro regime regime, this house as a vice has will continue to stand with you with the future leaders of cuba, with the people of cuba and not with the regime. i'm grateful for the opportunity mr. chairman to be able to sit here for a few minutes. >> mr. diaz-balart thank you for your powerful statement which has been consistent throughout the world that i'd like to recognize the democrat from minnesota. >> thank you mr. chair and it's difficult to follow that from a new colleague so i won't. i won't try to follow that. all i would do is say thank you for this hearing mr. chairman and especially in light of the president's decision to somehow restart diplomacy with the

regime currently in charge in cuba. they talk and they're still concerned for some of us about why the president would have used the process he used steroids stepping the state department having over your secret meetings that didn't involve the normal process but that part aside it really is all about the human rights and the cuban people which is why so interesting to me the discussion about normalization of the relationship is really what we are here about today. i appreciate that you and the ranking member have decided we are going to bring in some people to talk about some basic freedoms and the situation, exercise the oversight that is the jurisdiction of this committee because thankfully the president has acknowledged that he does not have the authority to dismantle as a suggest of the embargo and start to normalize relationships with cuba. that's up to congress and

hopefully it starts here today and we can talk about how people can have basic and fundamental rights to assemble with people that they want to speak freely on their own behalf and god forbid even against their government and people can actually practice their faith in public and be proud of it. i'm looking forward to being part of the process and i thank you again for holding this hearing and for the witnesses. i look forward to your testimony today in i yield back. >> thank you very much. >> thank you mr. chairman. >> a leader especially on chinese -- -- >> i deeply appreciate being here and think -- i have come to pay tremendous respect to each of those have testified today. each of us are still searching on the merits of why the president would make the unilateral decision that he made

to provide diplomatic relationships with cuba against the wisdom of a dozen previous presidents. what he has done is elevate a terrorist state along with cuba and syria and sudan and iran are terrorist states and now they have declared to the world that the state is acceptable to the united states. it's a very sad day. i have worked for the last 30 years with the missionaries in cuba. they tell me their plight of the religious inequities and the challenges that they face of people trying to live out their faith so i'm deeply concerned over the impact of what will happen. the elevation we have given to the marxist doctrine that will

be encouraged throughout the world. we have dealt with cuba on an ongoing basis of the united nations. they have sought to engage those to oppose the united states and those of our closest allies including israel. so i'm here to pay respect to you and thank you for your commitment and to clearly say to you that we stand with you fully engaged on behalf of the wonderful people of cuba. thank you and god bless you. >> thank you very much. it is now a distinct honor and privilege to welcome our distinguished witnesses. they are here today in washington which they would not be able to do in cuba especially before their rogue congress where there is really no real election. there are no free and fair elections. let me begin first with first

mr. jorge luis garcia antunes who is a leader in the cuban democratic movement. he was inspired by reading the universal declaration of human rights rejecting the communist indoctrination he was receiving and cuban schools. antunes as he is known to us all as is the leader of a nonviolent movement for human rights and democracy. he was arrested in 1990 for peacefully protesting the castro brothers oppressive regime and spend the next 17 years, 17 years in jail as a political prisoner. he endured horrific torture, beatings, solitary confinement and denial of needed medical care that almost cost him his life. since his release in 2007 antunes has continued to advance freedom of human rights in cuba and he knows first-hand the discrimination suffered by -- on a daily basis and under focus upon aggressive racism employed

by the castro regime. we will then hear from ms. burda soler who has been both a leader of the movement following the death of philip groups leader. it has now evolved into a potent powerful human rights group open to all women. ms. soler and for members of the ladies in white received a soccer of prize for freedom by the european parliament in 2006. the castro brothers barred him from attending the awards ceremony. she and her husband have remained in cuba since his release rejecting an offer of immigration from spain to continue their struggle for human rights and democracy in cuba. i would also note that the ladies in light of the nominated in a joint request to the peace prize committee along with

another afro-cuban medical doctor who has been tortured horrifically as well. he testified as you know by way of a phone hookup and told us do not, do not and the embargo get the conditions first. get human rights and durable human rights at that before the embargo is lifted and he said it even though there was great risk to themselves and articulating it. the europeans have been trading with cuba for decades with no emulator is in whatsoever and the lifeline frankly to a dictatorship which russia provided and then venezuela and unfortunately trade coming from europe and canada. now we will hear from ms. sarah fonseca to grow up in a household that oppose the communist system based on the principles and their deep religious beliefs. tudor families family's faith she was denied the right to complete her studies. in 2004 she came became

american to prove human rights party affiliated with the sakharov foundation. she joined the rosa parks civil rights women's movement for which he became a delegate in the city of havana. that same year she participated with the ladies in white is a lady of support. she and her family of experience numerous organized mob attacks and her house has been vandalized by government agents dressed in civilian clothing. as a result she has sought refugee status in united states. then we will hear from mr. jeff vail who oversees the washington office of latin american research and latin american policy and rights issues along with the specific on -- focus on specific issues. he led the team for recommendations in new directions in u.s. policy towards latin america. mr. fail has studied cuban issue since the 90s and travel to

cuba more than a dozen times. i wish i could get that visa including organizing delegations of academics as well as advocacy of this issue with coalition of business agricultural and human rights groups. he favored lifting the general ban on cuba. i would like to now yield the floor to antunes. [speaking spanish] >> translator: honorable congressman christopher smith good morning to all participating members. my name is jorge luis garcia antunes. i am a former political prisoner who has spent 17 continuous years of political imprisonment. [speaking spanish] >> translator: for the sole crime of calling out in a public square in my hometown.

for the implementation of reforms such as those that were taking place back then and communist europe. [speaking spanish] >> translator: within the prisons i remain steadfast as a political prisoner. and due to my constant struggle to denounce human rights violations from within prison walls i was subjected to the most refined forms of torture and cruel punishment. [speaking spanish] >> translator: for example on the morning the of 14 october 1994 high-ranking officers in the political police in spite of the fact that my hands were handcuffed behind my back six dogs on me.

[speaking spanish] >> translator: because i did not accept the regime's indoctrination program within the prison walls. [speaking spanish] >> translator: i was sent to the most inhospitable prisons. later together with very courageous brothers from the prison they founded the political prisoners organization. [speaking spanish] [speaking in native tongue] which in spite of repression managed to unify hundreds of political prisoners to carry out civic resistance within the prison walls. [speaking spanish] >> translator: after it was released in 2007 i have continued with the struggle inside cuba where i think it is most important. [speaking spanish]

>> translator: i am currently active in the orlando national civic resistance front. [speaking spanish] >> translator: this is a national organization which carries out protests in the defense of human rights throughout cuba. [speaking spanish] >> translator: today i'm hearing the name of of my brothers and sisters in the resistance. [speaking spanish] >> translator: and most especially in the name of those who are imprisoned for their ideas which there are dozens of. [speaking spanish] >> translator: we have remained in prison in spite of the unconvincing process of release agreed upon by president barack obama and dictator raul

castro. [speaking spanish] >> translator: my imprisoned brothers i want to mention. [speaking spanish] >> translator: these man are part of a long list of heroes whose only crime has been for civil to oppose dictatorship and second of all to continue resisting within the prison walls. [speaking spanish] >> translator: a few days ago within the present of this great inhospitable nation had agreed

with dictator raul castro to establish relations. [speaking spanish] >> translator: as well as steps leading to the elimination of the embargo. and as if this were not enough enough -- who participated in the murder of four u.s. citizens exchange for innocent contractor allen gross. [speaking spanish] >> translator: these agreements considered an important part of the cuban resistance are that the trail the hopes of the cuban people. [speaking spanish] >> translator: are unacceptable. [speaking spanish]

>> translator: because the principles and the freedoms of the country do not belong to any government no matter how powerful or influential the government may be. >> translator: there is underway in international effort expressed by the obama castro accords. [speaking spanish] >> translator: to promote a suppose of evolution -- revolution within the castro regime. [speaking spanish] >> translator: this is the change promoted by the castro regime in order to perpetuate power. [speaking spanish] >> translator: this solution is manipulated by the dictatorship in order to perpetuate power. [speaking spanish] >> translator: the castro dictatorship cannot be reformed.

the castro dictatorship is based on the negation of democratic society and everything misrepresents. [speaking spanish] >> translator: the castro dictatorship not only seeks to control the cuban people, it also supports oppression. it seeks to support oppression from other countries such as venezuela. what is real change in cuba mean? [speaking spanish] >> translator: it means the restitution of all civil rights. it means general amnesty for all political prisoners. [speaking spanish] >> translator: it means the right to organize political parties and independent labor unions. [speaking spanish] >> translator: real change in cuba means free real elections internationally supervised elections.

it means the separation from power of the castro brothers. [speaking spanish] >> translator: this is recognized in current u.s. law towards cuba and it should remain so. >> translator: . [speaking spanish] >> translator: because it constitutes the best possible support for the cuban resistance. [speaking spanish] >> translator: a majority the cuban resistance has signed on to the agreement for democracy in cuba. [speaking spanish] >> translator: this is a roadmap of 10 elemental points towards democracy in cuba. [speaking spanish] >> translator: we ask recognition from the congress of the united states for this document. and for what it represents as a clear path towards democracy in cuba. [speaking spanish]

>> translator: i asked the american people and it's freely elected congress that it maintains its firm support for the right of the cuban people to be free. we may be close to a true change in cuba. [speaking spanish] >> translator: to drop the international price of oil. the instability of the regime in venezuela which has been the main supporter of the castro regime. [speaking spanish] >> translator: the persistence which is widespread throughout the island. and how this resistance is increasingly coordinating itself. [speaking spanish] >> translator: as is taking place with the form for freedoms and rights all indicate this. [speaking spanish]

>> translator: this is the moment to demand real concessions from the castro regime. [speaking spanish] >> translator: only this can mean normal relations between the united states and cuba. [speaking spanish] >> translator: cubans can be as successful on the island as they have been abroad. what we need is freedom. the cuban resistance struggles for this freedom. [speaking spanish] >> translator: we need your understanding in her support. thank you. >> thank you so very much for that powerful testimony. we do have a series of votes on the house floor. we will have to take a short recess so ms. soler if you wouldn't mind we will break and then come back for questions and we do hope members of the press

and our audience will stay because we have very powerful testimony that awaits. we stand ensure recess. [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] >> the subcommittee will resume its hearing and i apologize again to our distinguished witnesses for that delay. we did have a series of votes on the house floor but looking forward to your testimony. we will begin with their second lightness, ms. burda soler if you could proceed.

[speaking spanish] >> translator: honorable members distinguished members of the subcommittee above all i want to thank you for listening to me. [speaking spanish] >> translator: and also to thank all the people and organizations have made it possible for me to testify in the human rights situation in my country, cuba. [speaking spanish] >> translator: we are presently living through particular defining home and the future of our country. [speaking spanish]

>> translator: in the wake of the recent announced reestablishment of diplomatic relations between cuba and the united states. [speaking spanish] transman -- >> translator: i'm appearing as a leader of the ladies in white. [speaking spanish] >> translator: a group of women activists who support change towards democracy in our country through nonviolent means. [speaking spanish] >> translator: inspired by the example of women such as rosa parks and coretta king among others. [speaking spanish] >> translator: do with courage and determination have full enjoyment of civil rights in

this great nation. [speaking spanish] >> translator: now 50 years after the events in selma alabama and testifying before the subcommittee whose mandate includes global human rights. [speaking spanish] >> translator: it's a great honor and historic opportunity for me to appear before you. [speaking spanish] >> translator: i also speak on behalf of numerous leaders and activists from cuban civil society who have entrusted me with speaking for them before you.

[speaking spanish] >> translator: it is a civil society that is particularly repressed by the intolerance of a government whose exercise of power consists of the systematic violation of the human rights of the cuban people. [speaking spanish] >> translator: just before he left cuba to be here last january 28th of the day we celebrate the birth of our founding father. [speaking spanish] >> translator: dozens of activists were arrested in

havana for attempting to place offerings of flowers had statutes of josé martinez. [speaking spanish] >> translator: in its totalitarian vision the dictatorship seeks a monopoly. on her national identity their use of force against all independent activists. [speaking spanish] >> translator: the most respected international human rights organizations have documented violations of human rights in cuba. [speaking spanish] >> translator: on october 28

2013 the inter-american commission on human rights issued an injunction on behalf of members of the ladies in white to import protection the face of systemic repression by cuban authorities. [speaking spanish] >> translator: to afford protection in the face of systemic repression by cuban authorities. [speaking spanish] >> translator: i submit the precautionary measure issued by the commission for these purposes. [speaking spanish] >> translator: as well as a report which initiated the case before the commission. [speaking spanish] i request these reports be made part of the record of this hearing is documentary evidence for her testimony. [speaking spanish] >> translator: as proof of

your testimony today. [speaking spanish] >> translator: these documents demonstrate the subject of political prisoners continues to be one of the most sensitive issues in cuba today. [speaking spanish] >> translator: reaching far beyond the periodic release of some of them. [speaking spanish] >> translator: resolving this matter matter requires the unconditional freeing of

everyone who has been jailed for political reasons on the island. [speaking spanish] >> translator: and the elimination of all legal restrictions used to repress those who think differently from the regime. [speaking spanish] >> translator: cuba continues to be a country with a one-party government. >> translator: with fundamental freedoms that are an absolute right in north american society. [speaking spanish] >> translator: or crimes against what they regard as state security. [speaking spanish]

>> translator: separation of powers does not exist in cuba. freedom of expression and association continue to be repressed and the constitution establishes the communist party is the driving force for society. [speaking spanish] >> translator: are right to strike is regarded as a crime with workers on and off the island. subject to conditions of labor which have been denounced by international organizations. [speaking spanish] >> translator: at the international level.

while these conditions prevail its it's not possible to speak of a willingness to change on the part of the castro regime. [speaking spanish] >> translator: that same january 28 the appearance before the third summit that killed -- raul castro. [inaudible] [speaking spanish] >> translator: for us this signals the continuation of beatings jailings forced exile discrimination against children at school. [speaking spanish]

>> translator: and all matter of patterns of intimidation and abuse they suffer daily wanting to see a patristic democratic and inclusive cuba. [speaking spanish] >> translator: our aspirations are legitimate because they are under -- undergirded by human rights to which cuba is a party and assigned international pacts on civil and political rights which have not been ratified by dictatorship. [speaking spanish] >> translator: our demands are quite concrete.

freedom for political prisoners. recognition of civil society. [speaking spanish] >> translator: the elimination of all criminal dispositions that penalize freedom of expression and association. [speaking spanish] >> translator: in the right of the cuban people to choose their future through free plural elections. [speaking spanish] >> translator: we believe these demands are just invalid. [speaking spanish] >> translator: even more importantly for us that they represent the most concrete exercise in politics. but the. [speaking spanish]

a step in the direction of democratic coexistence. [speaking spanish] >> translator: cuba will change when the laws that enable and protect the criminal behavior of the forces of repression and corrupt elements that sustained a regime change. but in the name of those that have been executed and the name of cuban political prisoners in the name of the pilots and humanitarian organizations murdered under orders of fidel castro. [speaking spanish] >> translator: in the name of the victims from march 13 -- --

[speaking spanish] >> translator: in the name of the victim of cuba's communist regime. q. but yes. castro no. thank you very much. >> ms. soler thank you for that powerful testimony and for providing very specific benchmarks that the cuban dictatorship needs to follow if cuba truly is to be free. thank you so very much and i would like to yield the floor to ms. fonseca for such time as you may consider. [speaking spanish] >> translator: my name is -- [speaking spanish] >> translator: i was born in 1970 and two cuban family that since 1959 had been branded as a

dissident from the state. [speaking spanish] >> translator: were classified as counterrevolutionaries because we were opposed to the incipient castro regime. [speaking spanish] >> translator: for over half a century cuba the castro regime has violated and violates human rights. [speaking spanish] >> translator: from the beginning crimes murders political prisoners and people discriminating. >> translator: all those who speak out against the regime are brutally repressed, imprisoned or murdered. [speaking spanish]

>> translator: in spite of having been raised within communism they were never able to convince us that is the right way to live. [speaking spanish] >> translator: is a human rights activist i participated in organizing demonstrations in havana. [speaking spanish] >> translator: among them the historic demonstration in 2011 in the old capitol building in central alabama. [speaking spanish] >> translator: on that day for women in spite of repression opened a banner displaying a slogan calling for the release of all political prisoners. [speaking spanish] >> translator: hundreds of

cubans witnessed this protest. [speaking spanish] >> translator: we inspired many cubans who began to shout along with us for freedom. [speaking spanish] >> translator: others carried out their own protests. >> translator: at all times we felt the support of the people. [speaking spanish] >> translator: this protest was well worth the repression we later suffered. [speaking spanish] >> translator: i've been -- [speaking spanish] >> translator: they have beaten me senselessly to the point that they thought they had killed me. [speaking spanish] >> translator: on one occasion three female police officers dragged me by my hair from one

cell to another. [speaking spanish] >> translator: while they dragged me by my hair from one cell to the other they kicked me in my back and my head. [speaking spanish] >> translator: once i was in the cell they were taking me to and while i was still handcuffed a male police officer kicked me with all of his strength in my head. [speaking spanish] >> translator: as a result of this i suffered permanent damage to my right kidney and serious damage to my spinal column. to this day as a result of those beatings i still suffer from dizzy spells. [speaking spanish] >> translator: is with this brutality and much worse that

the castro regime controls the cuban people. [speaking spanish] >> translator: they do this to constantly show the people what the cost of rebelling is. i want to emphasize this type of repression continues today right now on cuba. [speaking spanish] >> translator: cubans cannot elect their leaders. [speaking spanish] >> translator: children are indoctrinated in schools and those who do not follow the brainwashing could not finish their studies. [speaking spanish] >> translator: the people have been condemned to hunger and misery by the regime. [speaking spanish]

>> translator: a people without freedom of expression with all the media controlled by the government and hungry are easy to manipulate. [speaking spanish] >> translator: people think only about how to feed their family and although they do not like the way they are living they can only think about survival. [speaking spanish] >> translator: the cuban people are tired of imposition and dictatorship. [speaking spanish] >> translator: in order for the state to venture out to the sea on makeshift rafts. [speaking spanish] >> translator: it is for these reasons that we do not agree with the negotiations between

the president of the united states barack obama and dictator raul castro. [speaking spanish] >> translator: why negotiate with the dictatorship without taking into account the people and their resistance? [speaking spanish] >> translator: what about all the suffering and of beatings dealt out by the political police to the opposition of the people and they demanded freedom and democracy? [speaking spanish] >> translator: what about the political prisoners and the murdered who disappeared? [speaking spanish] >> translator: what has raul castro given in exchange? [speaking spanish] >> translator: only when all political prisoners are released

only when all independent political parties and labor unions are legalized. [speaking spanish] >> translator: only when free multiparty democratic elections are carried out. [speaking spanish] >> translator: only plan human rights are expect -- respected only then should be that the embargo. [speaking spanish] >> translator: i thank god for having been raised by a family which taught me truth. [speaking spanish] >> translator: for stating what was on my mind it was not able to finish my studies and neither were my sons. [speaking spanish] >> translator: my family and i have been repressed, beaten and thrown into cells. [speaking spanish] >> translator: my house was destroyed by those using sticks

and stones. [speaking spanish] >> translator: who hurled all types of paints, tar waste. [speaking spanish] >> translator: excrement and chemical liquids. [speaking spanish] >> translator: attacks against my house were carried out by bugs carried out by the police. to lift the embargo means to legitimize oppression. to provide them with oxygen so they stay in power while repressing jailing and murdering. [speaking spanish] >> translator: the cuban people will not benefit from lifting the embargo. only the regime will benefit. [speaking spanish]

>> translator: the castro dictatorship owes every company that exists in cuba. no cuban can on their own business. the castro family owns cuba. [speaking spanish] >> translator: we have faith in the future if cuba because we have faith in the struggle of the cuban resistance. [speaking spanish] >> translator: there's only one resistance inside and outside of cuba. [speaking spanish] >> translator: be democracy and historic document signed by the majority lays out a clear roadmap towards democracy. [speaking spanish] >> translator: we want freedom justice and democracy for cuba now.

god bless cuba and the united states. thank you. >> thank you so very much ms. fonseca and thank you for mining is that these atrocities continue to this day yet underscoring the appalling lack of respect for fundamental human rights by the dictatorship so thank you for that story. mr. fail please proceed. >> thank you. i'm just fail the codirector of -- and i want to thank chairman smith and ranking member pass for convening this hearing on this human rights issue. we have done the research and advocacy on human rights issues in the americas. i have followed latin american human rights issue since the mid-1980s and i've directed the cuba program since 1995. i traveled there regularly. i try to meet with a wide range of cubans academics catholic and

church leaders government officials and government critics critics, government employees and people of the small business sector. i've met with and is met with sanchez and i have had the pleasure with visiting cuban dissidents including miriam oliva and manuel who spoke on a panel the other day with ms. soler in the senate. the question before us today really is has the united states squandered an opportunity to promote cuban -- human right in cuba and their basic position is far from squandering an opportunity or new posture toward cuba will open new paths to improve the human rights situation and living conditions for cubans they will provide opportunities to advance u.s. values and interests opening new avenues of engagement through travel and trade for u.s. citizens for churches for academic and cultural institutions and businesses and

overall will enhance the prospects for freedom of expression and reform on the island. i want to very briefly comment on three issues. one is the human rights situation in the country. the second what i see as the failures of the policy of isolation in the third quickly the opportunities for the ways in which a engagement can advance the human rights situation in our interest. on the first question there is very little doubt in my colleagues on this panel have talked about it that there are serious human rights problems in cuba. no one is in unrealistic about that no one has a rosy view of the situation. in addition to the human rights situation i think it's clear that the cuban economy's overall fairly stagnant. many people especially young people are yearning for real opportunity and don't feel they have it. in fact the modest economic growth in cuba the last few years has led to increases in

inequality in one group in particular that has not benefited from some modest economic growth is afro-cuban families. at the same time i want to be clear on the other side of the picture cuba isn't uniformly grim. life expectancy in cuba is about about what is the united states because of public health measures and medical care. literacy levels in cuba are as high as in the united states overall. reflecting universal public education. cuba just pass legislation this past summer to prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation so very serious problems but from all the serious and real problems cubans don't face the issue citizens face in a country like saudi arabia or other repressive regimes. overall the question isn't whether there's a real human rights issue in cuba. everyone agrees there is. the question is what can the united states do to improve it? for the last 55 years we have

pursued a policy of isolation and i think it's clear if you hear the testimonies from the other panelists that policy has failed to do anything to improve the human rights situation on the island. it has created hardships for cuban citizens for normal cubans but it does not force the cuban government to change its policies or distractions and in fact in many ways it does offer the government a rationale to crack down on dissent. the policy hasn't succeeded in bringing change to the cuban government. at the same time it has relegated the united states both u.s. government and u.s. society to the sidelines in cuba. and so the policy of isolation has failed and i think it pretty clearly has the question is what about a policy of engagement? no one takes a policy of engagement is a magic solution to the human rights problem in cuba but it's clear historically historically. of engagement with cuba are periods in which we have seen political relaxation

particularly the release of prisoners. under president carter during the time pope john paul ii visited during the 2012 talks with the spanish government all three of them saw significant prisoner releases and just this past month following extensive talks between cuban and u.s. governments 53 political prisoners were released completing the release of everybody on amnesty international's list. other international actors as well the government of spain the government of canada the government of norway a number of international groups including european churches have seen specific benefits to efforts they have made for engagement with the cuban government rather than policies of isolation. beyond the dialogue with cuban officials i think there are some really important things that greater engagement will do. it will help performers inside the cuban system and provide them more space and opportunity. will benefit cuban families and the cubans who interact with

people-to-people travelers. it's going to benefit religious interaction and expand contact between u.s. and cuban churches. telecommunications is going to offer new opportunities for internet access and information on the island so overall i think it's pretty clear the policy of engagement is likely to expand family business remittances assist a small but growing private sector increased cultural and religious contacts and help cubans connect to the outside world. if the united states is interested in helping ordinary cubans in promoting democratic values that's the pathway to pursue. we shouldn't be naïve and our expectations about cuba's political leadership. this is the beginning of a long-term process to reduce tensions between the government to and build bridges between america and the cuban people paid overtime that will help cuban citizens. thank you. >> thank you for your testimony. we are joined by member of the subcommittee letter previous engagement at the opening part of this hearing. the gentleman from florida yield

for his opening statement. >> mr. thale i want to start by thanking you for coming. i just want to say for the record i am in a bit of a disagreement. if foreign direct investment was a good way to get these folks to come around we would be in a better place right now. the spaniards have had nice hotels for a long time and it just hasn't had enough of an impact. so i'm worried we are just casting a lifeline to folks to murderous folks that are really about to go under. for mr. garcia mrs. soler and mrs. fonseca. [speaking spanish] [speaking spanish]

[speaking spanish] [speaking spanish] ..

[speaking spanish] and so i want to tell you wholeheartedly how much i support what you are doing. [speaking spanish] >> thank you so very, very much. if you would like to respond, but she does have a plane to catch. >> thank you, mr. chair and the witnesses for they're testimony. i had a couple of questions.

posted posted on the board. their are about 27 organizations that are funded to help activists in cuba, some cuba, some of the organizations are funded in cuba and some in miami. i wondered if you thought that the funding was helpful and also the three of you are hear today and i just wondered how you were able to come how you were able to get out of cuba. do you travel back and forth? [silence]

[speaking spanish] >> translator: yes. [speaking spanish] [speaking spanish] >> translator: all parts of aid received by the people of cuba is very important. [speaking spanish] >> translator: i can tell you that we have been able to save at least one life. [speaking spanish] >> translator: i will give you an example. [speaking spanish] >> translator: when you have a cell phone in your hand you have a weapon with which to defend yourself. [speaking spanish] >> translator: without the aid we get from abroad we could not pay for that cell phone. [speaking spanish] >> translator: on many occasions we have been able

to transmit from one corner of the island to the other about an activist who has disappeared or was arrested. [speaking spanish] >> translator: and thinks to that kind of communication we are able to go into the streets and demand freedom. >> i am relatively new on the board, so i'm just learning about the funding. given that we don't even have mail exchange between our two countries i was surprised you were able to get aid from the united states. [speaking spanish] >> translator: yes, it is very clear that you can

receive aid from one family member to another. [speaking spanish] >> translator: that is why the cuban exile committee is so important. >> and also about your travel are you able to go back and forth? you are able to go back and forth? [speaking spanish] >> translator: in my case i am a refugee in the united states. >> i i see but you are going back. [speaking spanish] >> translator: at this moment in time some activists are able to leave and come back thanks to the aid we receive from some ngos. [speaking spanish]

>> translator: this does not mean we are free because they're are many activists. >> i was surprised anybody. i i understand especially financially. they know what you are doing. [speaking spanish] >> translator: i want to give you an example. their are former political prisoners. [speaking spanish] >> translator: they're are at least 12 former political prisoners part of a larger group of 75 who are released from prison but are under house arrest and cannot leave cuba. [speaking spanish]

>> translator: and a more recent example was released on december and went to request a passport and was denied. [speaking spanish] >> translator: i labeled the change in 2013 as a petty reform. as long as they can determine who leaves and enters there is not freedom to travel. >> finally i wanted to ask just because if you could talk about some of the -- in the president's proposals president's proposals it is going to allow more economic exchange between two

countries. i countries. i am wondering what impact you think that might have especially on the freedom or lack thereof of people to open up there own businesses. restaurants in homes and stuff like that. i don't no to what extent there is extensive free enterprise. do you think that will ultimately assist the development? >> thank you for the question. cuba ten years ago about 90% of 90 percent of the population of the cuban workforce worked for the state. today that is probably down to about 70 percent. about a hundred and 50,004 years ago to about half a million. there has been a substantial increase. some of those businesses are quite successful. the vast majority are small

vendors, small restaurants people selling out of there home. the opening we have offered it we will take a while to work through but is clear it will strengthen the capacity of business in the creation of a small private business sector. >> thank you. i yield back my time. >> first of all, let me introduce mr. guzmán a political prisoner of 22 years. thank you for joining us. i would also like to introduce a gentleman -- the wife and a leader in her own right she founded the rosa parks civil rights movement.

i would like to ask a few open questions. first of all, if you could if you would not mind speaking to the issue of the mistreatment of afro cubans so i i have learned over the last several years i have been in congress 35 years but their has been a lack of attention given to the enclosed -- additional mistreatment of all people aspire to freedom and democracy the full weight of tyranny comes down upon them but they're also seems to be of further differentiation and negative bias, bias, prejudice against afro cubans. if you can speak to that.

[speaking spanish] >> translator: i appreciate your concern and interest for the cause of cuba. [speaking spanish] >> translator: and i appreciate that concern from those who are in agreement. [speaking spanish] >> translator: before i answer your question i would like to reflect on something [speaking spanish] >> translator: with all due respect for one of the panelists. [speaking spanish] >> translator: i feel great pain a few moments ago. [speaking spanish] >> translator: i felt ill at ease. [speaking spanish] >> translator: to listen from you the cuban situation is bad but not that bad.

[speaking spanish] >> translator: the situation is bad but not that bad. [speaking spanish] >> translator: i don't understand with all due respect what you mean. [speaking spanish] >> translator: when you say the thing about cuban mothers. [speaking spanish] >> translator: and go to sleep crying i think of those young women who have had to become prostitutes are they can feed their families. [speaking spanish] >> translator: i think of the fact that cubans can barely afford to live. [speaking spanish]

>> translator: i think about the gross inequality between the regime leaders and the people. [speaking spanish] >> translator: i think about the moral moral spiritual, and economic poverty of the people of cuba. [speaking spanish] >> translator: they're may be some eric -- educational achievement in cuba. [speaking spanish] that we talk about a system of education which consists of indoctrination. [speaking spanish] >> translator: all three of us were discriminated from pursuing higher education because we had different political ideas. [speaking spanish] >> translator: i think that invalidates your argument. [speaking spanish]

>> translator: cuba is not a power. [speaking spanish] >> translator: cuba has many sophisticated hospitals and clinics. [speaking spanish] >> translator: but those clinics are only for people who can pay with dollars. [speaking spanish] >> translator: only for taurus or the elite. [speaking spanish] >> translator: i also heard you say the human rights situation is not that grievous. >> translator: how hard it must be. not that bad to be imprisoned. is it not that bad to be

imprisoned? and i want to emphasize this case. released three in the us. [speaking spanish] >> translator: stability in the country. [speaking spanish] >> translator: sentenced to 30 years in prison. [speaking spanish] >> translator: and spent 18 years in prison. [speaking spanish] >> translator: because he passed on information to the us about cuban spies being sent to the us to conspire. [speaking spanish] >> translator: the cuba situation is extremely bad. [speaking spanish] >> translator: if you we will allow me i want to comment. [speaking spanish]

>> translator: i want to address directly what you asked. why is it you can't go into cuba, travel to cuba. [speaking spanish] >> translator: if you are allowed to go into cuban prison all you will see our black people. [speaking spanish] >> translator: men who would rather jump from a rooftop and commit suicide or men being persecuted these high sentences. [speaking spanish] >> translator: dozens and dozens of political prisoners who were not mentioned. [speaking spanish]

>> translator: if you want to go to cuba simply tell them you don't want to meet with dissidents. [speaking spanish] >> translator: i think this address is what you asked. >> thank you very, very much. you know, the "washington post" has done several editorials very, very critical of president obama's opening upward moving toward opening up diplomatic relations and made a very salient.i would like to underscore that when repeating mistakes have been made in the past when bill clinton went to vietnam and "'s which followed quickly with the bilateral trade agreement under president bush many said he it was a mistake not to get human rights reforms durable

reforms 1st and then moved to the diplomatic recognition followed by an economic relationship. a post points out that it is the way mr. obama has gone about this that is a mistake , not reform 1st but moving in to provide a lifeline as one of they're editorials pointed out a lifeline to a dictatorship at a time when venezuela is less capable to provide funding. the very opportune time to press the case for human rights and we blew it when it came to vietnam. the vietnam human rights act the majority leader would not put it up for a vote. three times bipartisan

legislation with clear benchmarks be is their in a race to the bottom. cuba is already there and yet we're moving, having now learned a single lesson from those failed openings where they get stronger the dictatorship becomes further empower i firmly i firmly disagree with your comment about isolation. many of us have been rearrested and they were just under 200 that we no of so that has been the game that castro place, letting people in and out.

i have a question. i have been working in the area of combating human trafficking. the trafficking victims protection act a landmark law. trappings and person's office and they put an annual listing of countries using what we have contained in the law cold minimum standards the worst designation. cuba is a tier three country and egregious violator of trafficking with full complicity of the castro brothers and the rest of the government making money hand over fist by forcible prostitution and my child prostitution. i was in 2,004 frank

calzone had documentation and was working the human rights commission in geneva, documentation of the complicity of this dictatorship with child prostitution and child exploitation and was knocked out cold hit in the face by cuban diplomats. freedom house came to his defense and made a strong statement against it because he was bearing witness to that ugly truth. again, the state department chronicles this. cuban citizens have been subject to forced prostitution outside of cuba as well. it continues. that is the reality of what this barbaric regime is all about. they make money from child

sex tourism. i would love for investigators to be able to go they're and look to bring charges against those. a tier three country. i would like to ask any of the witnesses if it would like to speak to the despicable record of cuba when it comes to the modern-day. [speaking spanish] >> translator: it is important for you to no that the cuban government promotes child prostitution in cuba. [speaking spanish]

>> translator: the cuban government knows their are many youths who don't go to school on the street looking for ways to make money. [speaking spanish] >> translator: it is shameful to say. [speaking spanish] >> translator: just last week their was a group of young women organizing themselves for when an american personnel arrive so they can sell themselves to an american tourist. [speaking spanish] >> translator: if we call the prostitution's of hundreds of cuban youth empowerment. [speaking spanish] >> translator: of recall cubans who are going to try

and steal and take from they're places of work in order to feed their families, if we call this empowerment. [speaking spanish] >> translator: if we call empowerment if we call this empowerment. [speaking spanish] >> translator: if we call empowerment the castro regime filling schools with teachers who are poorly trained. [speaking spanish] >> translator: the children of human rights activists are failed on they're tests

and damaged were harmed in their studies because they're parents are involved in human rights activity. [speaking spanish] >> translator: this is not what we want for cuba. >> translator: the cuban government is trying to build the chinese model and cuba. [speaking spanish] >> translator: the cuban government is looking for. [speaking spanish] >> translator: the cuban government needs oxygen. [speaking spanish] >> translator: they want a capitalist economic system. [speaking spanish] >> translator: in a communist political system. [speaking spanish] >> translator: we can't tolerate this. [speaking spanish] >> translator: human rights 1st, economy 2nd.

[speaking spanish] >> translator: that cuban people are suffering hungry not because of the american government. [speaking spanish] >> translator: the cuban people are hungry because the communist system does not work. [speaking spanish] >> translator: we don't want a succession, we want a continuation. we don't want a dynasty in power. we want free elections. [speaking spanish] >> translator: the resources for the people of cuba. [speaking spanish] >> translator: the resources meant for the cuban people castro will take to strengthen the oppressive apparatus. [speaking spanish] >> translator: thank you.

>> i yield to the chairwoman. >> thank you for calling this important hearing. thank you to our witnesses who are victims of the castro regime for being here today. [speaking spanish] i am humbled to be in your presence. some of you live in cuba. others are hear now but have family in cuba. this is sort of an insurance policy you have offered them because by being here today perhaps they we will have some degree of protection that those other figures as brave as you are want out. i know you worry about them. thank you for holding up the photos in describing the current dismal human rights situation in my native homeland.

i wanted to just give this statement and ask you some questions. how has the regime's treatment of its critics changed since december 17 others the press skip manipulated, visitors and tourists that may come back here with a distorted picture of what is going on? this morning and did a radio interview and the reporter said i know cuba. i was their for a week. you heard from some today that castro's cuba is a picture of the quality and

the regime supports rights. thank you for pointing out the kind of apartheid government that exists. thank thank you for pointing out the mistreatment. he testified that it's not a uniformly one. it could be worse. i suppose so. the countless number of people who have been in jail for expressing they're god-given and fundamental human rights the thousands who have died trying desperately to flee cuba. this is a worker's paradise.

i i have people in my district wash ashore trying to flee even now as these negotiations have taken place a 40% increase in in the number of cubans fleeing the situation. people in constant fear for the millions who have managed to flee. even if the propaganda about good public health care. these are the constituents represent. you should come to miami and meet with my constituents and have them tell you about this great medical care. i have seen it where does that exist?

i know if you are a touristy we will be treated well. it's good propaganda. public education, advancement of the lg bt rights. the filters is the good medical care is just a show for the regime reserved only for the regime officials and tourists because i represent that community. my district district is overwhelmingly cuban-american. but these are the folks who vote for me. we know that the system of medical care and for all they have no access. interview the people. thrown in jail for

disclosing the truth about abortions in the poor house conditions. mr. smith has has brought that out time and time again. life expectancy rates and other statistics and cuba where do we get those from? they are manipulated by the regime. it is unbelievable. you have fallen into the trap that castro said following the swallow the regime propaganda spread it to give legitimacy. other falsehoods and repeated over and over again it is a public a public indoctrination program. have you seen the textbooks?

progress on sexual discrimination, i have met with prominent cuban lg bt advocates who have vigorously dismissed the claims of progress. they have condemned condemned the continued denial of human rights. the regime we will protect rights if you agree with the regime. regime. they will protect anyone who agrees with the regime. but speak out against the regime and see how far you get. can you honestly look your panelists in the eye and told him the picture is not a particularly grim one and

that the torture, beatings imprisonment harassment they have had to endure is not particularly grim. seventeen years in prison not particularly grim beatings the taint on sunday. people are looking to cuba and the press has done the standoff. how many more of these dissidents are very arrested under the falst is authentic and some of them been rearrested and what about those are the ones who never made it to the list.

their were 9,000 imprisoned last year. how about those individuals what happened to them. they do this bait and switch to release prisoners, promulgate as propaganda and with the spotlight is off we arrest people or will find new ones to throw in jail. now they don't even have to wait. like i said, just on monday young man was put in jail for a year for dangerousness which could lead to a crime. how can you justify that and say we have liberated these 53 and it's not that the. i want to ask you has it not been that bad?

>> when you were in jail. [speaking spanish] >> translator: the situation with the violation of human rights in cuba. [speaking spanish] >> translator: is much worse than we can describe. [speaking spanish] >> translator: it has been written about. [speaking spanish] >> translator: but none of them capture the full reality. teefor. >> translator: they can't capture the brutal reality of imprisonment in cuba. [speaking spanish] >> translator: maybe those who don't have a good idea for all the information.

[speaking spanish] >> translator: could come to think of prisoner in cuba is merely deprived of they're freedom. [speaking spanish] >> translator: they could ignore. [speaking spanish] >> translator: they could ignore the cuban political prisoners are injected with water in some kind of 70. [speaking spanish] >> translator: they're have been cells where murders and beatings take place. [speaking spanish] >> translator: clinically induced suicides. [speaking spanish] >> translator: i will never forget. [speaking spanish] >> translator: i will never forget the men manipulated by prison authorities to jump off a 3rd story rooftop.

[speaking spanish] >> translator: i will never forget the use of the device for torturing cuba. [speaking spanish] >> translator: i don't want to consume too much of your time talking about the horrors of prison. [speaking spanish] >> translator: i have so many examples of torture that we don't have enough time. [speaking spanish] >> translator: if you ask me how to describe political prison. [speaking spanish] >> translator: i would ask you to find it in the great work. [speaking spanish] >> translator: you can talk about process of engagement dialogue of understanding. [speaking spanish]

>> translator: if you ignore something as important and crucial and essential as political prisoners. [speaking spanish] >> translator: we often talk about the embargo. [speaking spanish] and. mentioned in different forms [speaking spanish] >> translator: eloquent voices. [speaking spanish] >> translator: one of the members of congress not able to go to cuba. [speaking spanish] >> translator: it should be mentioned that the only real embargo and blockade that the cuban no space is the cool criminal castro dictatorship. [speaking spanish] >> translator: that does not limit itself and on a weekly basis beats women on the street.

[speaking spanish] >> translator: murdered in the hospital, a courageous woman. [speaking spanish] >> translator: murdered man by now living in drinkwater. [speaking spanish] >> translator: they're we will be changes and improvements but not for the people. [speaking spanish] >> translator: it we will be for the regime that has imprisoned so many cubans. [speaking spanish] >> translator: for best cubans. [speaking spanish] >> translator: and that is carrying the lead in these negotiations. [speaking spanish] >> translator: those of us sitting here are not extremists. [speaking spanish] we are not backward looking people. [speaking spanish] >> translator: we're not too

far with it the best way to solve the conflict is by approach but we will we cannot accept. [speaking spanish] >> translator: what we can't accept is you confuse cuba with the regime that oppresses cuba. teefor. >> translator: what we we will not accept and have know reason to accept. [speaking spanish] >> translator: is that the cuban opposition be ignored in these negotiations. [speaking spanish] >> translator: the castro regime has found and barack obama's engagement policy. [speaking spanish] >> translator: part of the incentives it needs to continue oppressing. [speaking spanish] >> translator: as well to legitimize itself

internationally. [speaking spanish] >> translator: the cuban resistance is not recognized. [speaking spanish] >> translator: and executive of the. [speaking spanish] >> translator: no matter how powerful it may be. [speaking spanish] >> translator: we are appreciative of international solidarity and accepted. [speaking spanish] >> translator: we respect those who think president obama's policies will benefit cuba. [speaking spanish] >> translator: but all that we ask is you recognize and take this into account. [speaking spanish] >> translator: it is important for you to no the cuban government.

[speaking spanish] >> translator: it is important for you to no the cuban government uses state terrorism against defenseless woman. [speaking spanish] >> translator: the cuban government. [speaking spanish] >> translator: is not a sovereign government. [speaking spanish] >> translator: the cuban government has not been elected. [speaking spanish] >> translator: therefore we cubans are the sovereignty. teefor. >> translator: we have the right to express our opinion. [speaking spanish] >> translator: it is important that you no we have know problem. [speaking spanish] >> translator: we have know problem with the government of the united states. [speaking spanish] >> translator: because they always tried to support the people of cuba.

[speaking spanish] >> translator: what we are against is the way which these negotiations are being conducted. [speaking spanish] >> translator: because we are the sovereignty of the people of cuba. [speaking spanish] >> translator: the secrecy surrounding the list of political prisoners will be released. [speaking spanish] >> translator: was another deceit of the cuban government. [speaking spanish] >> translator: 14 prisoners had already been released. [speaking spanish] >> translator: these 14 were not freemen like those spies president obama unconditionally handed over. [speaking spanish] >> translator: these political prisoners have been released on parole.

[speaking spanish] >> translator: you must take this into account. [speaking spanish] >> translator: we can help in how the us government deals with the cuban government. [speaking spanish] >> translator: you can't do business with criminals and if you do you must have conditions. [speaking spanish] >> translator: you can see how the castro himself is already setting conditions. [speaking spanish]

>> translator: how can it be possible when so much violence is exerted against women because they're trying to practice religious freedom. [speaking spanish] >> translator: how can it be possible to peaceably walk on a sidewalk in your country and the regime hurls pro-government thugs against you. [speaking spanish]

>> translator: how can it be possible the police take is the faraway parts of the city and fracture risks with pistol butts. [speaking spanish] >> translator: it is a suffering people. [speaking spanish] >> translator: it is a people that needs freedom. [speaking spanish] >> translator: freedom depends on cubans. [speaking spanish] >> translator: but we need the material and spiritual support of other governments [speaking spanish] >> translator: i'm going to go further back. [speaking spanish] >> translator: in 1980. [speaking spanish] >> translator: 100,000 cubans left cuba. [speaking spanish] >> translator: engineers physicians. [speaking spanish] >> translator: castro condoms gone. >> with that i will interrupt you because i know you have a flight to catch.

i just want to say something before you leave. this is the news of today, the day dissidents arrested for protest near cuban national assembly. this morning. so much has changed. a group of 12 dissidents were arrested as they tried to stage a protest. the dissident part of the orlando zapata civil resistance front took out a sign demanding the elimination of castro's draconian laws the un human rights covenant. the whereabouts remain unknown. in stark contrast cuban democracy activists both leaders of this group are freely and openly testifying before the us house of

representatives in washington dc this morning. what a contrast. you have to hop on a plane and i know you we will be marching with the ladies in white. we pray for you and all of the people of cuba. you make us proud. [speaking spanish] [speaking spanish] >> thank you so much. now move your butt to the airport.

that is free commerce and action. they will all that plane. [speaking spanish] [speaking spanish] >> translator: if you allow me out with like to speak about the private sector and give weather is no freedom to negotiate the so-called self entrepreneurs who are a tiny minority are constantly blackmailed and manipulated

by the regime [speaking spanish] >> translator: they must respond to the interest of the regime in order to keep the business running. [speaking spanish] >> translator: they can have unions. [speaking spanish] >> translator: they can defend their rights. [speaking spanish] >> translator: that's why i insist no type of commerce with cuba benefits the people. [speaking spanish] >> translator: whatever enters cuba remains in the hands of the regime. [speaking spanish] >> translator: i also want to say. [speaking spanish] >> translator: i feel a a deep sadness every time i think of political prisoners

[speaking spanish] >> translator: it is are in the 21st century that they're are still people in my country imprisoned for their ideas. but it's not only this. [speaking spanish] >> translator: many youth were not directly involved in opposition activity. >> translator: also suffer from persecution and discrimination because they are the children of opposition activists. [speaking spanish] >> translator: it is a crime that use cannot pursue they're studies. [speaking spanish]

>> translator: and they desperately seek in prostitution a means through which to maintain their families. [speaking spanish] >> translator: we condemn the castro regime. [speaking spanish] >> translator: we demand their be no impunity. [speaking spanish] >> translator: we want a free, just, and democratic country. >> thank you so much. much. i regret that i have a plane to catch as well. i don't know if he we will be able to. i will here it on c-span radio. [laughter] and will wait for me. >> thank you for the series

of questions and comments. without wanting to enter into a debate about how you characterize the situation in cuba can i think it is clear no one denies their are serious human rights problems. the question the question is how to address them and what the government can do. the policy of engagement that was announced that has been supported by others in the committee is supported by the catholic church the catholic conference endorsed by the pope a number a number of republicans as well as democrats have endorsed, freedom house has endorsed the messages there is a strong view of the best way to address the human rights situation is engagement. >> let me just give -- if any of you want to make final comments i respectfully disagree and thank you for your candor.

we have try that before. it is about meaningful engagement where steps that we take are predicated on just observing universally recognized human rights. the trees that have been enacted this concurrent and for all in many countries of the world be followed and certainly the convention against torture which has been violated with kennedy and is one of the most egregious violations i would very quickly, have you ever asked to meet the political prisoner in prison? i hope you would.

i have made it my business. meet with dissidents anywhere and everywhere i go i always seek to go to the presence to try to show some solidarity with those who are suffering the daily acts of torture. the book that got me in to fight for religious freedom in 1981 was torture for christ by richard rembrandt who talked about the presence of cuba where torture is commonplace. he talked about these tortures that just never ended.

just no sleep. you never know when you get another shot in the face of the nose as the guard shifted from one shift to another. they would use these polls. talking about always designed by sadists to extract the worst possible pain and in the sexual abuses that are visited upon people. talk about how they punched his teeth major major problems just beatings and more beatings. i honestly believe castro and those who have committed these atrocities are to be held to account by for crimes against humanity rather than invited in his partners.

we have to deal dictators as a country. to have human rights as an issue is a serious mistake. the embargo i would say for the record there has been robust trade with the european union canada and other countries of the world with cuba for decades and there has been no diminishing whatsoever and torture child sex trafficking. if anything the trade has facilitated particularly with convicted pedophiles and others who travel the world to abuse little children. i just i just had passed on the floor of the house of representatives for the 3rd time the international megan's law so that convicted pedophiles we we

will notice countries of destination of they're leading to go on sex tourism trips. how horrific as it that the government of cuba actually benefits financially from that. if that is not accurate than allow a full-scale investigation because we have so many stories and information. i have to say this the trafficking victims protection act has established because the tip report comes out every year. cuba is designated as an egregious violator and a 23 country. ..

google and yahoo! microsoft cisco and yes it was in china. swore them all and in the upper part of the censorship. we know that castro regime has great capability as does lukashenko and belarus to ensure that internet would it be e-mails or anything else would be closely surveilled so that more of the