Mr. President,
We thank the sponsoring delegations for introducing draft resolution L.6.
We appreciate their efforts to contribute to the process of efficiency and rationalisation of the work of the Human Rights Council, by integrating into the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery and trafficking in persons, the responsibilities that previously corresponded to two mandate holders.
Cuba has a policy of zero tolerance for any contemporary form of slavery and any form of trafficking in persons, which is expressly prohibited by the Constitution of the Republic and other national laws. These are heinous crimes and a blatant violation of human rights, which our country firmly rejects.
Cuba has a plan of action to combat all forms of trafficking, with a focus on the prevention and punishment of this crime and related offences. A national report is published annually on the actions of prevention, confrontation, assistance to victims and international cooperation carried out by our country. These actions are carried out jointly with Cuban civil society.
We reject unilateral, arbitrary and politically motivated lists in this matter, such as the one drawn up by the United States government, which falsely accuses Cuba with the sole aim of justifying its hostility against our country and maintaining its criminal policy of economic asphyxiation against the Cuban people. The United States lacks the moral authority to make evaluations or ratings of countries.
We reaffirm that special procedures mandate holders have the obligation to act at all times in accordance with the Institution Building Package and the Code of Conduct.
The Cuban delegation emphasizes its willingness to cooperate actively and constructively with the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery and trafficking in persons, in accordance with the firm commitment of our country to the promotion and protection of human rights.
For the foregoing reasons, Cuba supports draft resolution L.8 and will join the consensus on it.
Thank you very much.