Diaz-Balart Urges The Bahamas to Not Forcibly Repatriate Cuban Refugees Seeking Freedom

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) sent an urgentletter to theChargé d’Affaires of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights asking that Cuban refugees within its custody not be forcibly returned to Cuba, and that they be treated with compassion.

"Numerous human rights organizations have documented the brutal oppression of the Castro dictatorship, including acts of repudiation against those who try to escape. The Bahamas has a chance to find a solution for these Cuban refugees that does not endanger their lives.Their carewhile in the custody ofThe Bahamas, and their right to be free from political persecution, arehuman rights issues of paramount importance.These brave refugeesmust not be returned against their willto thetotalitarianism that they risked their lives to escape. I have asked the government of The Bahamas not to be complicit in the human rights abuses that would result if these refugees were delivered into the hands of Castro's thugs."