Reuters

US President Barack Obama should lift sanctions against Cuba this month in a step towards dismantling the US embargo against the island, rights groups Amnesty International said on Wednesday.

The provisions of the Trading with the Enemy Act, among a raft of US sanctions against Communist-run Cuba, expire on September 14 and the president has the power extend them for another year or stop them.

Amnesty International Secretary General Irene Khan. AFP PHOTO
“This is the perfect opportunity for President Obama to distance himself from the failed policies of the past and to send a strong message to the US Congress on the need to end the embargo,” Irene Khan, Amnesty International’s secretary-general, said in a statement.

“The US embargo against Cuba is immoral and should be lifted,” Khan said. “It’s preventing millions of Cubans from benefiting from vital medicines and medical equipment essential for their health.”

Obama has taken steps towards a more open relationship with Havana than the Bush administration, including lifting restrictions on travel and remittances to Cuba for Cuban-Americans with relatives on the island.

But Obama has said the near half-century trade embargo, which the Cuban government blames for many of its problems, will stay in place until Cuba releases political prisoners and improves human rights.

Cuba has said it is willing to discuss everything with Washington but has ruled out unilateral political concessions or any shift to capitalism.

The Trading with the Enemy Act prohibits any type of trade or financial transaction, including those related to travel, transportation or business in times of war or when a national emergency has been declared in relation to specific country.

In its report “The US embargo against Cuba: Its impact on economic and social rights”, Amnesty said the restrictions severely limited Cuba’s ability to import medicine, medical equipment and technology essential for treating life-threatening disease and maintaining public health programs.

Citing data from the UN children’s agency UNICEF because Amnesty does not have access to the island, the group said 37.5 percent of Cuba’s under-3s had iron deficiency anemia in 2007.

The commercial barriers have also hindered the renovation of hospitals, clinics and care centers for the elderly, it said.

If the Embargo is lifted then I think many Americans would go down to Cuba and try to meet with dissidents and bring medical supplies.

The article says Amnesty “does not have access to the island”, I would think that is Castro’s fault, not the Embargo’s fault.

So, it’s a two way street but never forget, Fidel nor Raul really want the Embargo lifted.

I want the Embargo lifted because it is a restriction on my freedom.

All Cuban Americans need to lobby their local representatives and state legislatures and encourage dialogue between The Obama administrration and the Cuban government. Obama said he is willing to open the lines of communication. So Now is the time for concerned Americans to let our government know that the time has come for the Embargo to end. The time is Now, If you have an opinion, let it be known.

If Obama doesn’t sign a renewal of the trading with the enemies act re Cuba on sept14 2009, doesn’t that mean that the economic embargo against Cuba will become nul and void? As for Americans wanting to travel to Cuba is that not a seperate problem?

Hey Pipe fitter,
I’m not sure if Obama’s signature will end the Embargo or not, We could only hope so. The Cuban government will have to do somemore to get the ball rolling. Either way it would be a start. Travel restrictions have already been improved for some, for the average American citizen to travel to Cuba is just another bump in the road that hopefully be resolved too. Just the chance of things improving is a promising thing. Like I said for things to really get better, The Obama administration has said it does have some conditions that need to be met by the Castro’s and the Cuban government. At least the chance is there. I’m hoping and Praying that the situation at least gets some attention, which would pave the way for a better Cuba.