PARLIAMENT'S ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION ON THE CUBAN FIVE
20 August 2014
The Office of the ANC Chief Whip welcomes the resolution of the National Assembly at its sitting last night calling for the immediate release and freedom of the remaining members of the Cuban Five. The Cuban Five are five Cuban men who were accused by the United States government of committing espionage and conspiracy against the United States of America, and as such were imprisoned since 12 September 1998. Two of the five men, René González and Fernando González, have since been released, in 2011 and 2014 respectively.
The formal resolution of the South African Parliament calling the United States to release the Cuban Five, lift the economic blockade of Cuba and immediately engage Cuba more positively is a significant contribution to this international campaign, and further speak volumes about our country's political pursuit of peace, justice, reconciliation and human rights internationally.
Parliament's debates and resolutions on important matters such as this reaffirms the activist nature of the institution, which conducts its business robustly, fearlessly and asserts its role on international matters. Recently, the House passed a resolution on the Gaza situation.
The resolution of the House on the Cuban Five was based on the draft resolution tabled by the African National Congress Chief Whip, which called on the House to: