Mr. RIVERA. Mr. Speaker, this Monday, prominent Cuban dissident Marta Beatriz Roque launched a hunger strike in order to draw attention to the unwavering attempts by the Castro dictatorship to suppress pro-democracy supporters. She has since been joined in her hunger strike by an additional 25 dissidents. Roque suffers from diabetes, and her water-only fast could easily kill her in days.

Castro's thugs have continually increased the level of repression against the opposition movement. It is intolerable that this has become the ``norm'' in Cuban society. Jailing, beating, and detaining peaceful protestors who are simply demanding their basic human rights is not the norm. It is unacceptable.

The Castro brothers will continue their violent and abusive ways and will stop at nothing to remain in power. How bad do things need to get before the international community finally recognizes the plight of the Cuban people? These brave men and women continue to risk their lives every day, and we must call attention to their struggle.