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House subcommittee hearing spotlights Cuba human rights abuses and splits on embargo strategy
Summary
A House Foreign Affairs subcommittee hearing heard testimony from former Rep. Ileana Ros‑Lehtinen, Human Rights Watch, the Free Society Project and family members of victims about political repression in Cuba and debated whether the U.S. embargo or targeted, multilateral measures best advance human rights.
Chairman Smith opened the Subcommittee on Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations on Dec. 5 to examine Cuba’s human‑rights record and U.S. policy options, welcoming former Foreign Affairs chair Ileana Ros‑Lehtinen as a witness. "We are here today to recommit ourselves to the noble struggle by the Cuban people to stand behind them to finally achieve freedom," the chairman said during opening remarks.
Witnesses described a pattern of repression, mass arrests and economic hardship on the island. Juan Pappier of Human Rights Watch summarized the organization’s findings: "The Cuban government continues to repress and punish virtually all forms of dissent," and HRW documented arrests and harsh…
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