US Justice Department Opposes Rene Gonzalez's Visit to Cuba

Cuban Five political prisoner re-unites with family members in Florida., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Havana
March 13, 2012

U.S. Department of Justice opposes René González’ visit to Cuba

WASHINGTON.—The U.S. Department of Justice has opposed René González’ request to return Cuba temporarily to visit his gravely ill brother, according to a document made public by the Miami Court.

The Department’s response to the motion filed by René’s lawyers states that the United States acknowledges the humanitarian nature of René González’ petition, but opposes the motion on the basis of FBI security concerns.

However, the terms set for the supervised liberty imposed on René, who left prison last October 7, include the possibility recognized by the Attorney General’s Office of granting a dispensation on humanitarian grounds, which it now opposes, evidencing its bad faith.

Given the Justice Department response, Judge Joan Lenard must now make a definitive decision on the anti-terrorist fighter’s petition to visit Cuba for two weeks.

The document made public by the Miami Court advises that in the event of René being permitted to visit his brother Roberto, who is gravely ill with cancer, various conditions would have to be imposed.

Meanwhile, the National Lawyers Guild has made lawyer Roberto González Sehwerert an honorary member of the organization in recognition of his contributions as a defender of human rights and, in particular, for his efforts in the case of the Five.

"Roberto’s career and his steadfast support of his brother are emblematic of the Guild’s basic principle that human rights are more important than property interests. We are proud to count him in our numbers," said NLG Executive Director Heidi Boghosian. (With information from CubaDebate).