Remarks by Ambassador Gerardo Peñalver Portal, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Permanent Representative of Cuba to the United Nations, at the opening of the exhibition “Cuba, a sustained commitment to all human rights for all”. New York, 5th September 2023.
Distinguished guests:
It´s an honor to welcome you to the exhibition “Cuba, a sustained commitment to all human rights for all”.
Our country grants utmost importance to international cooperation for the promotion and protection of all human rights for all and, in this sense, aspires to be re-elected to the Human Rights Council for the period 2024-2026. Cuba does so with humility but also with a record of a transparent performance in this sphere, with tangible results, fully enjoyed by our people and internationally recognized.
Despite the ceaseless imposition of a harsh economic, commercial and financial blockade during more than 60 years, that was even strengthened during the pandemic, the important advances of Cuba in health, education, scientific research, culture and sports as well as in the genuine participation of our people in the main political processes that determine the life of the nation, are widely acknowledged. However, what it is sometimes hidden or distorted is the fact that all these have been possible, precisely, because the Cuban people is the owner of its own destiny and participates actively as a leading actor of the democratic system it itself designed and endorsed in full exercise of its right to self-determination.
Today, on behalf of this noble and valiant people, painter Yosvany Martínez and a group of renowned photographers, show off their talent. This exhibition reflects our achievements in the economic, social and cultural rights, in the spheres of civil and political rights and in the realization of the so-called third generation or solidarity rights.
Serves this occasion to also renew our commitment with the attention to the rightful historical claims of the peoples of the Global South and the world, on issues such as the right to development, rights to education and health, the fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance, the right to food and the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order.
As founding member of the Human Rights Council and signatory of 44 international instruments in this sphere, we´ll continue to advocate for the full respect for the principles of universality, indivisibility, objectivity, non-politicization and non-selectivity. We´ll appeal for the promotion and protection of human rights through constructive and respectful dialogue, and the strengthening of cooperation and technical assistance in this area, without external interference and with full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries.
The voice of Cuba will continue promoting the significant advances our people has achieved in the enjoyment of all its rights and the large record of Cuba in the international cooperation in the human rights sphere, thus demonstrating through concrete facts its unequivocal willingness to engage in respectful, frank and open dialogue.
Cuba will highly appreciate to count with your valuable support to this candidature.
We thank for your company this afternoon and invite you to enjoy a genuine display of Cuban art.
Thank you very much.