US Congressional Representative: Cosponsor the Freedom of Travel to Cuba Bill - CALL TODAY

Amnesty International USA

The Freedom of Travel to Cuba Act of 2015 [H.R.664] was introduced by Representatives Mark Sanford [R-SC-1] and James P. McGovern [D-MA-2] on February 2, 2015. You can learn more about H.R.664 here. Removing the travel ban placed on U.S. citizens to travel to Cuba would further an agenda for human rights change in Cuba, and continue to normalize relations between the two countries. On March 20-22, 2016, President Obama will travel to Cuba for the first time in 90 years. Given Amnesty’s long time call to lift the embargo and the significant changes in U.S. - Cuba diplomatic relations if the bipartisan bill is passed any U.S. citizen will be able to travel to Cuba. The Freedom of Travel to Cuba has currently 68 cosponsors. We would like to have 100 cosponsors by the time President Obama is in Cuba.

TARGET LIST OF REPRESENTATIVES link.

Call instructions:  Call Capitol switchboard: 202-224-3121 and ask the operator to direct you to your representative or one from your State in the target list (see below). Once you are connected ask to speak with the foreign affairs aid or the legislative counsel. If the person is not available ask to leave a voice message. *Please use the target list as MoCs have voted to lift the embargo in 2015.

Suggested Script: "Hi, I am [Your Name] from [State]. I am calling because I would like Rep. X to co-sponsor The Freedom of Travel to Cuba Bill. [H.R.664]. If the bipartisan bill passes, any U.S. citizen will be able to travel to Cuba. That means more people to people interaction and more scrutiny for the Cuban government.  Please contact Jay Fields, from Rep. Mark Sanford's office to cosponsor the bill or more information."

If you are asked questions on the human rights situation you are not comfortable answering, please refer them to me. Or, let me know and I will contact the Staff. It is up to you whether to identify yourself as an Amnesty member. 

ISSUE BRIEF link. 

Background: Regardless of increasingly open diplomatic relations with the international community, Cuban citizens continue to experience severe restrictions on their rights to freedom of expression, association, assembly, and movement. Thousands of cases of harassment of government critics, including journalists and human rights activists, and arbitrary arrests and detentions were reported last year. In November 2015 alone, there were over 1,400 politically motivated detentions in Cuba, the highest number in years. If the U.S. embargo on Cuba, and its negative impact on the economic and social rights of Cubans is lifted, it will mean Cuban authorities can no longer use the crippling sanctions as an excuse for failing to uphold Cuba’s human rights obligations under international law. In Service,

Marselha Gonçalves Margerin

Advocacy Director for the Americas

Amnesty Interntional USA

T:  202 675-876 

E:  Marselha@aiusa.org