NEWS
House Foreign Affairs Committee
U.S. House of Representatives
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Chairman
CONTACT: Brad Goehner and Andeliz Castillo, (202) 225-5021
Alex Cruz (South Florida press), (202)-225-8200
http://foreignaffairs.house.gov
For IMMEDIATE Release – September 22, 2011

(WASHINGTON) – U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, participated today in a Capitol Hill briefing sponsored by the Cuban American Bar Association (CABA) to discuss the ongoing human rights violations in Cuba. The briefing featured one of the founders of the Ladies in White, Josefa Lopez Peña, two independent attorneys in Cuba: René Gómez Manzano and Laritza Diversent, and the International Republican Institute’s Regional Director of Latin America and the Caribbean, Alex Sutton. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Rep. Albio Sires (D-NJ) and Rep David Rivera (R-FL) also took part in this morning’s panel discussion. Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:

“This morning’s briefing reflects the Cuban American Bar Association’s tireless commitment to the people of Cuba and their efforts to advance the rule of law, human rights and democracy on the island.

“Forums like these provide an opportunity to hear from valiant advocates of freedoms and democracy like Josefa Lopez Peña, René Gómez Manzano, and Laritza Diversent, and brings to light the daily abuses the people of Cuba endure at the hands of their oppressors.

“It was a great honor to be a part of this event and I commend these young leaders for continuously highlighting the work of the opposition in Cuba, and giving voice to those who would otherwise be silenced by the regime.”

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