Canadian Tamil Congress Congratulates Cuba and USA, Applauds Canada

For Immediate Release

December 19, 2014.

Canadian Tamil Congress Congratulates Cuba and USA, Applauds Canada.

The historic plan announced on Wednesday by United States President Barack Obama to take steps to normalize relations with Cuba, including opening an embassy in Havana, should be welcomed by all. President Raul Castro should also be congratulated for taking reciprocal steps towards this action.

The fifty year embargo against Cuba and Cuba’s own isolationism has had a detrimental impact on Cuba’s human rights record both internally and in international forums, including at the United Nations Human Rights Council. However, these historic agreements provide a bold hope that strengthened relations between Cuba and the West will lead to improved conditions for people in Cuba. While there are some who have said, “these changes will lead to legitimacy for a government that shamelessly, continuously abuses human rights but will not lead to assistance for those whose rights are being abused,” national spokesperson of the Canadian Tamil Congress, Mr. David Poopalapillai is much more optimistic, noting “I hope Cuba will prove their critics wrong.”

Canadian Tamil Congress hopes these steps will also lead to Cuba taking a more balanced approach to human rights in the international arena.

As a Canadian organization, we applaud the Canadian government for its vital role in this negotiation process.

For more information, please contact (416) 240-0078.