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.
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
We have such a wonderful membership! Not only do we hold human rights dear to our hearts but there are also other issues such as the environment, poverty, children's health, etc that can be related to human rights but may not be addressed by Amnesty International. 
