May 19, 1996
Warm greetings to everyone gathered to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the Cuban Committee for Human Rights. I commend the Committee's many dedicated and courageous members, particularly its founding president, Dr. Ricardo Bofill, Secretary General Gustavo Arcos Bergnes, and Vice-President Sebastian Arcos Bergnes.
Since 1976, the Committee has helped to advance the Cuban people's valiant efforts to promote respect for human rights and to achieve fundamental freedoms. In return, the Cuban regime has subjected numerous individuals to systematic persecution, physical abuse, imprisonment, and, too often, forced exile from their native land. They are heroes like Sebastian Arcos who -- despite his grave illness -- rejected several offers of release from prison that were conditioned on his exile. He is a source of strength to all those who wish to see a free and democratic Cuba.
You can be proud that your work is bringing real results; international awareness of human rights abuses in Cuba is more widespread than ever. Last month, the United Nations Human Rights Commission adopted a resolution calling on the Cuban government to end all violations of human rights, including "the detention and imprisonment of human rights defenders and others who are engaged in the peaceful exercise of their rights." And within Cuba, the Committee has paved the way for numerous other human rights, political, professional, and civic groups -- many of whom have joined the "Concilio Cubano," a broad coalition of human rights and democracy activists.
Today is a particularly fitting day to celebrate the work of the Committee, for it is also the anniversary of the death of Jose Marti. Marti's life and writings stand as an inspiration to all who seek a better future for the Cuban people. Hillary joins me in sending warmest wishes to you, to the Cuban Committee for Human Rights, and to Cubans and Americans who share the vital goal of a peaceful transition to democracy in Cuba.
Bill Clinton
President of the United States