Geneva, 10 April 2023. Cuba's outstanding participation at the recently concluded 52nd regular session of the Human Rights Council confirmed its position as one of the main actors in this forum.
The Cuban delegation actively participated and contributed to the balanced treatment of all human rights during this session, which took place from 27 February to 4 April at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
The Cuban delegation to the High-Level Segment was headed by Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, Minister for Foreign Affairs, who ratified Cuba's commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights and denounced the unjust international economic order, the irrational and unsustainable patterns of production and consumption of capitalism, as well as the U.S. economic, commercial and financial permanent blockade, which constitutes a flagrant violation of the human rights of the Cuban people and the main obstacle to our economic and social development.
In line with these premises, 40 statements were made by the Cuban delegation in general debates, interactive dialogues and panels. Cuba actively participated in the informal consultations on the resolutions submitted and promoted the priorities of developing countries.
The Cuban delegation submitted three resolutions on core issues such as the right to food; cultural rights and cultural diversity; and the negative effects of foreign debt on the full enjoyment of human rights, particularly economic, social and cultural rights. The first two resolutions were adopted by consensus and enjoyed broad levels of co-sponsorship; while the third was supported by the overwhelming majority of HRC member states.
At the same time, Cuba voted in favor of the resolutions presented on the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and the human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territories and the Syrian Golan; the resolutions presented by the African Group on combating racism and racial discrimination; as well as the repatriation of illicit funds to the countries of origin. 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 adoption of biased mandates that do not have the support of the countries concerned and are directed against those States that do not bow to the hegemonic interests of the great powers.