Geneva, 17 July 2023. Cuba's outstanding participation at the recently concluded 53rd regular session of the Human Rights Council reaffirms its recognition and leadership in this forum and ratifies its position as one of the main actors.
The Cuban delegation participated actively and contributed, from a transparent, constructive and balanced position, to the balanced treatment of all human rights during this session, which took place from 19 June to 14 July at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
Cuba reiterated its principled position against politicized, selective and punitive initiatives that do not enjoy the support of the countries concerned and are used as a method of political pressure against developing nations that do not bow to the neoliberal and hegemonic geopolitical agendas of the major Western powers.
It was denounced the unjust international economic order, the irrational and unsustainable production and consumption patterns of capitalism, and the permanent U.S. economic, commercial and financial blockade, which constitutes a flagrant violation of the human rights of the Cuban people and the main obstacle to their economic and social development.
In line with these premises, 35 statements were made by the Cuban delegation in general debates, interactive dialogues, panels and explanations of votes. Cuba actively participated in the informal consultations on the resolutions submitted and contributed to advancing the priorities of the countries of the South.
As a sign of its leadership, the Cuban delegation submitted two resolutions on "The Social Forum" and the renewal of the "Mandate of the Independent Expert on Human Rights and International Solidarity". The former was adopted by consensus and enjoyed broad levels of co-sponsorship, while the latter was supported by the overwhelming majority of HRC member states.
At the same time, Cuba voted in favor of the resolutions submitted on the fight against religious hatred, the strengthening of international cooperation in the field of human rights, the contribution of development to the enjoyment of human rights, and technical cooperation and capacity building in the implementation of the recommendations of the Truth Commission in Colombia. It also joined the consensus on a significant group of thematic resolutions.
Consistent with its principled position on country-specific resolutions, the Caribbean country's representation opposed politicization, double standards and the approval of biased mandates that do not have the support of the countries concerned.