Last 16 November, the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly adopted by 168 votes to only 7 the draft resolution amended by Cuba, on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement and of another 13 countries, which endorsed the Human Rights Council institutional building agreement.

Through this agreement, the General Assembly eliminated the mandate against Cuba, which year after year and during two decades the US government imposed through blackmail, threat and coercion in the former Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR). It was signed after consideration and approval of the Human Rights Council document that defined the manner in which this organ – which substituted the discredited UNCHR – would function.

This decision is a landmark victory consolidating the Cuban people’s triumph in their steadfast confrontation to the manipulation of the issue of human rights against them during 20 years. It is an act of indispensable justice toward the Cuban people and of recognition to the prestige and work of Cuba and its Revolution, whose undeniable effort in the promotion and protection of all human rights for all and in the creation of an increasingly just and humane society cannot be denied or distorted. 

This decision is a devastating blow on the Bush Administration’s imperialistic plans against Cuba and a reaffirmation of the international isolation against the US government’s policy towards Cuba.

The United Nations has acknowledged the reason and justness of the arguments that Cuba has upheld without concessions throughout many years facing the politicized, selective and discriminatory character of the US government’s actions against Cuba on human rights matters.

Washington, which voted almost on its own against the creation of the Human Rights Council in 2006, has not been able to find the support it needs to become a member of such organ. Nor has it been able to promote a condemnation against Cuba in the General Assembly, despite its power and blackmail and manipulation.

Cuba, which did vote for the creation of the Council and was elected as a member since the very beginning, with more than two-thirds of the UN members’ votes, has maintained, with growing prestige, an active participation in this organ, upholding the Third-World countries’ legitimate interests.

In Cuba, human rights violations only occur in Guantánamo Naval Base, an illegally occupied territory by the United States, where flagrant and massive violations of the human rights of hundreds of prisoners – against whom despicable methods of torture and cruel, degrading and inhumane treatments are practiced – have been committed for more than four years. It is the United States, not Cuba, who faces international repudiation for the legal limbo in which it keeps these prisoners, against international law.Nor is Cuba linked to the scandal of disclosures of the existence of CIA secret detention and torture centers in Europe, in which human rights violations as serious as those committed in the Guantánamo Base prison and other places are perpetrated. The CIA has reportedly carried out more than 800 secret flights linked to such activities.

Yet the US government will not give up in its attempts to manipulate the issue of human rights with the purpose of justifying its policy of economic warfare and aggressions against Cuba. However, such attempts are doomed to failure, for Cuba will continue to resist the US blockade and the violation of the Cuban people’s basic human rights, which qualifies, moreover, as an act of genocide.

Cuba: Promotion of and respect for human rights and the enhancement of its international cooperation in this area.

There are no human rights violations in Cuba that justify singling it out in Geneva or in any other multilateral venue.

Cuba has a vast record of dignity on matters of cooperation with all human rights mechanisms implemented on universal and non-discriminatory basis. However, it has been silenced and, worse yet, distorted by the hegemonic power’s propaganda machinery. Our country has proven, through concrete actions and always demanding strict respect, its unequivocal readiness for open and straightforward dialogue on all issues, including human rights.

Even faced with manipulation, the Cuban Government has continued to move forward and to enhance its traditional cooperation with the aforementioned mechanisms.

Only a few hours from the celebration on December 10 of Human Rights Day, on the occasion of the proclamation that day but in 1948 of the transcendental Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it is worth pointing out that Cuba is resolved to further enhancing its international cooperation with universal and non-selective human rights mechanisms taking into account current circumstances of the elimination of the spurious anti-Cuban mandate. There are more than enough examples of such willingness to cooperate. Let us mention but a few of them:

- In September of 1988, a Mission of the Commission of Human Rights, headed by the President of this organ, visited Cuba at the Cuban Government’s invitation. The CHR Mission’s report acknowledged the positive behavior and good will of the Cuban authorities and clearly demonstrated that there was not a single human rights violation in Cuba that justified, in any manner whatsoever, the establishment of a special follow-up procedure.

- In 1989, Cuba made it clear to the CHR its willingness to continue to cooperate in the follow-up to recommendations included in the Mission’s report. This process was interrupted, nevertheless, by the United States’ decision to manipulate it with anti-Cuban propaganda purposes, forcing the adoption of an unjust confrontation resolution and a groundless condemnation of Cuba in the Commission, which clashed with the Cuban people’s response of dignity and principles.

- Despite its steadfast determination, Cuba continued to cooperate at the same time with the Commission and other non-selective components and with a universal mandate of the UN human rights machinery.

- In 1994, Cuba invited the first UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit our country. Cuba was one of the first countries to receive, in 1994, a High Commissioner, just a few months after this post was created. Mr. José Ayala Lasso met with several government representatives and other society actors; visited numerous places of interest, where he could freely talk with many Cubans and finally, he highlighted the receptiveness and willingness of the Cuban side to undertake the main suggestions he proposed during his visit.

- In 1995, the Cuban Government invited a delegation of international NGOs to visit our country. The visit took place from 28 April to 5 May. The organizations represented in the delegation were France Libertés, the International Federation of Human Rights Leagues, Doctors of the World and Human Rights Watch. The representatives of these organizations received all the Cuban authorities’ support and could fulfill all their objectives, including visits to several correctional facilities and meeting with inmates of their interest.

- In 1998, Cuba extended invitations to visit our country to both the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on the Use of Mercenaries and the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Violence against Women, which took place in 1999.

- Just a month ago Mr. jean Ziegler, Special Rapporteur of the Human Rights Council on the Right to Food, paid a visit of our country at the invitation of the Cuban Government. This visit falls into the Cuban willingness to resume this modality of cooperation with the UN universal and non-discriminatory mechanisms in the area of human rights.

- Aside from receiving visiting missions in our country, Cuba has intensively cooperated through other avenues and methods with the UN human rights machinery such as the steady and smooth supply of information to universal and non-discriminatory mechanisms of the late UNCHR and the bodies arising from international human rights treaties.

- Cuba has ratified an important number of international instruments on human rights matters.

- The Cuban people’s history has been that of a permanent battle for the full realization of all human rights of their men, women and children. Cuba has outstanding achievements in areas such as healthcare, education, culture, sports, social and racial integration, social welfare and protection, gender equality, justice, equity and political participation.
     
 
New York, 7 December 2007