The people of Cuba demand freedom not the end of the embargo

While giving testimony in front of the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee on September 22, 2022, Roya Hakakian, Iranian writer, journalist and human rights defender joined Rosa Maria Paya, founder of the Cubadecide citizen initiative in reminding the world that pro democracy protesters in Cuba are not asking for the end of the embargo just like the people of Iran protesting on the streets are not asking for the end of sanctions Both peoples are asking for FREEDOM.

This is a reminder to the international community that the best way to help the people of Cuba and Iran is to help them in their struggle to establish democracy in their respective nations. Just like Canada and other democratic nations around the world impose targeted sanctions on dictatorships in Belarus, Venezuela and others the same principles should apply to Cuba and Iran.