On Cubans

A US blockade against Cuba has been in existence for more than 45 years. This blockade is a blatant violation of the Human Rights of the Cuban people and is creating serious difficulties and economic hardship for the country. It must be lifted according to the Cuban Parliamentary Friendship Group.

Several UN resolutions have been passed over the years condemning the US blockade and advocating that it be lifted yet the US Administration continues to ignore the expressed wishes of the International Community and remains intent on pursuing its aggressive hostile policy towards Cuba and its people.

In the last week the US has even introduced new sanctions which tighten the blockade further and this is unacceptable and simply wrong. There is no justification for this US Blockade against Cuba.

As a Parliamentary Group we do not endorse what the US Administration is engaging in. We are calling on the US Government to reconsider its policy and lift its blockade.

Ireland has supported, through the United Nations General Assembly, a lifting of the US blockade of Cuba. It is time now to re-open this debate in light of the escalation of the blockade and consider any appropriate action that the Parliamentary Friendship Group could take to highlight our condemnation.

Séan Power TD (FF)

Chairman

ENDS.