Vote on U.N. human rights resolution on Cuba nears

[Freddie Stubbs]

By Nancy San Martin

[e-mail]


The traditionally contentious debate between the United States and Cuba over the status of human rights on the island is set to take center stage this week as the U.N. Commission on Human Rights prepares to vote on a U.S.-backed resolution condemning rights abuses in the communist-run nation.

The expected close vote, scheduled to take place Thursday, is particularly important this year because of an island-wide crackdown against 75 dissidents that took place as the commission gathered for its annual meeting last year.

''We've made no secret of the fact that we thought it's important for democracies in the region to step up,'' said a State Department official in Washington who spoke on the customary condition of not being named. ``The vote is very close. We're lobbying hard.''

The resolution drafted by Honduras is similar to the one approved last year, which called on Cuba to allow a monitor to examine the treatment of government opponents but stopped far short of an outright censure. It also failed to mention the wave of repression that resulted in jail sentences of as much as 28 years against human rights advocates, independent journalists and other peaceful activists on the island.

more: http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/8421771.htm

[Vladimir]

1. I love the smell of

hypocrisy in the morning

V

[Vogon_Glory]

2. Back In 2000, The US Had

Back in 2000, the US had a far better record for respecting human rights than it does under the Boosh regime.