This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/8232907.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| End immoral Cuba embargo, US told | End immoral Cuba embargo, US told |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| The US should lift sanctions on Cuba as a prelude to dropping its "immoral" trade embargo against the island, Amnesty International has urged. | The US should lift sanctions on Cuba as a prelude to dropping its "immoral" trade embargo against the island, Amnesty International has urged. |
| US President Barack Obama has until 14 September to decide whether or not to extend the Trading with the Enemy Act, which imposes sanctions on Cuba. | US President Barack Obama has until 14 September to decide whether or not to extend the Trading with the Enemy Act, which imposes sanctions on Cuba. |
| The embargo is preventing Cubans from accessing life-saving medicine, says Amnesty Secretary General Irene Khan. | The embargo is preventing Cubans from accessing life-saving medicine, says Amnesty Secretary General Irene Khan. |
| The US began its embargo in 1960 in protest at Cuban human rights abuses. | |
| Mr Obama has insisted that the trade ban will stay in place until Cuba frees political prisoners and improves human rights. | Mr Obama has insisted that the trade ban will stay in place until Cuba frees political prisoners and improves human rights. |
| 'Vital medicines' | 'Vital medicines' |
| But London-based rights organisation Amnesty is concerned that the embargo is endangering the lives of Cubans. | But London-based rights organisation Amnesty is concerned that the embargo is endangering the lives of Cubans. |
| "The US embargo against Cuba is immoral and should be lifted," said Ms Khan. | "The US embargo against Cuba is immoral and should be lifted," said Ms Khan. |
| "It's preventing millions of Cubans from benefiting from vital medicines and medical equipment essential for their health." | "It's preventing millions of Cubans from benefiting from vital medicines and medical equipment essential for their health." |
| Cuba's inability to import nutritional products from the US has led to an increase in the number of cases of iron deficiency anaemia, according to a report produced by Amnesty, using data from the UN. | Cuba's inability to import nutritional products from the US has led to an increase in the number of cases of iron deficiency anaemia, according to a report produced by Amnesty, using data from the UN. |
| Some 37.5% of Cuban children under the age of three have been affected by the ban on nutritional products, the report suggests. | Some 37.5% of Cuban children under the age of three have been affected by the ban on nutritional products, the report suggests. |
| The embargo was first imposed in the wake of the communist revolution in Cuba, which swept Fidel Castro to power. | The embargo was first imposed in the wake of the communist revolution in Cuba, which swept Fidel Castro to power. |
| The US wanted to force the island to reject Mr Castro's socialist policies and embrace capitalism and democracy. | The US wanted to force the island to reject Mr Castro's socialist policies and embrace capitalism and democracy. |
| Mr Obama has indicated that he favours a softening in US-Cuban relations, and has lifted the ban on Cuban-Americans visiting the island and sending money back to relatives who still live there. | Mr Obama has indicated that he favours a softening in US-Cuban relations, and has lifted the ban on Cuban-Americans visiting the island and sending money back to relatives who still live there. |
| The Cuban government, now led by Mr Castro's brother Raul, has said it is willing to enter negotiations with Washington, but will not make any unilateral concessions. | The Cuban government, now led by Mr Castro's brother Raul, has said it is willing to enter negotiations with Washington, but will not make any unilateral concessions. |