Senator Says U.S. Must Continue to Hold Castro Regime Accountable for Human Rights Violations but that Decades of Isolation Has Not Produced Profound Change
Washington, D.C. - Today U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) has announced that he is cosponsoring Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act, which would allow Americans unrestricted travel to Cuba.
“In December 2015, President Obama announced significant changes to the United States policy towards Cuba. Decades of isolation have not brought the profound change for which many hoped. I believe it is time to take incremental steps towards a more open relationship with the people of Cuba, starting with allowing unrestricted travel to Cuba for Americans.
The United States does not prevent Americans from travelling to any other country in the world, including countries governed by repressive regimes and with horrific human rights records, like Iran and North Korea. I believe that people-to-people engagement is one of the best ways to build ties and promote U.S. interests. It also sends an important signal to the Castro regime about how an open, pluralistic society treats its citizens.
Preventing Americans from traveling to Cuba has not had the intended effect of isolating the Castro regime and helping the Cuban people. Expanded travel can help build Cuba’s nascent entrepreneurial sector and shine a bright light on the ongoing governance and human rights issues in Cuba.
Further steps towards normalization must be accompanied by meaningful steps to end human rights abuses and repressive governance. Jose Miguel Vivanco, the Executive Director of Human Rights Watch’s Americas Division, recently stated, “The human-rights situation in Cuba hasn’t changed much since December 2014, when [President] Obama and Castro announced an agreement to normalize diplomatic relations.”
The U.S. Government must not settle for words and promises, but demand action on human rights from the Castro regime. We must require the regime to follow through on its commitments, like allowing the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations to conduct monitoring visits to the island.
Many Cubans and Cuban-Americans have suffered significantly at the hands of the Castro regime. I have heard from many who are now cautiously optimistic, ready for the U.S. Government to turn the page in this bilateral relationship. I believe allowing Americans to travel to Cuba, free of restrictions, is a prudent first step.”
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