Emergency Review Justification

JUSTIFICATION FOR EMERGENCY REVIEW

Human Rights Violators List

In keeping with the recommendations of the Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba report, the State Department will seek information from the public about human rights abuses committed by Cuban authorities, including the military and members of the security forces. Compiling this information is designed to send a message to the Cuban government authorities, including the military and the security forces, that they should not participate in the repression of Cuban citizens.

The Department has therefore determined that:

1. This collection is needed prior to the expiration of time periods normally associated with a routine submission for review under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act;

2. This collection is essential to the mission of the Department of State; and

3. The Department cannot reasonably comply with the normal clearance procedures because delay will likely prevent the Department obtaining this information, which is becoming available because of the current state of transition underway in Cuba. In addition, because of this situation, the United States needs to immediately show support for principles of human rights.

Therefore, the Department of State requests OMB approval for this collection by August 16, 2006.