President Díaz-Canel Reaffirms Cuba's Commitment to the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights
First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, received George Katrougalos, Independent Expert of the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Promotion of a Democratic and Equitable International Order, at the Palace of the Revolution on Wednesday. Katrougalos is currently in Cuba on an academic visit.
The President expressed his appreciation for the expert's programme of activities in Cuba, particularly "at such a complex time as the one we are currently experiencing." He also recalled with great satisfaction their exchange during the International Conference for the Balance of the World, held in January 2025.
Díaz-Canel referred to the statements made within the Human Rights Council in support of Cuba, reaffirming the country's commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights. He also underscored that Cuba would continue cooperating with United Nations human rights mechanisms on this important issue.
The President described the particularly difficult situation facing Cuba as a result of the economic blockade imposed by the United States Government for more than six decades. The most harmful aspect of this policy, he stressed, is its prolonged duration.
"It is the longest-lasting blockade in the history of humanity—an economic, financial, commercial and now energy blockade, imposed not by just any country, but by the most powerful nation in the world."
The Head of State told the Independent Expert that Cuba's determination is "not to surrender, but to resist and continue moving forward."
"That means," he said, "being capable, through our own efforts and our own talent, of overcoming even the harshest conditions imposed by the blockade."
The meeting, attended by Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, member of the Political Bureau and Cuba's Minister of Foreign Affairs, also provided an opportunity for George Katrougalos to express his gratitude to the Cuban authorities for the support and cooperation extended during his academic visit, which he described as highly productive.
Katrougalos addressed the challenges currently facing multilateralism and the United Nations system amid a global context marked by evident violations of international law. He also referred to several statements made within the Human Rights Council concerning the illegality of the United States blockade and the energy restrictions imposed against Cuba.
The Independent Expert observed that the international community is becoming increasingly aware of the impact of these policies on the Cuban people and acknowledged Cuba's longstanding willingness to cooperate with the United Nations.
During his stay in Cuba, George Katrougalos delivered a keynote lecture at an academic conference on the contemporary international order, organized by the National Union of Cuban Jurists together with the University of Havana and the Higher Institute of International Relations.
He also held meetings with officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cuba (MINREX), with Fernando González Llort, President of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP), representatives of Cuban civil society, and United Nations officials.
As part of his visit, the Independent Expert toured the Latin American School of Medicine (ELAM), from which more than 31,000 physicians from approximately 122 countries have graduated, as well as the Assisted Living Centre of the Quisicuaba Programme, an institution that provides care, support and social reintegration for people in vulnerable situations.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cuba, the visit "constitutes a further expression of Cuba's cooperation with the United Nations' universal and non-discriminatory human rights mechanisms, in line with its commitment to respectful dialogue, multilateralism, and the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order."
(Presidencia de Cuba)
(EmbaCuba Bahamas)