New York, 25 April 2017. Cuba participated today in the High Level Event of the United Nations General Assembly to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the Adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, as part of the 16th session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.
While remembering that such Declaration was a great achievement and a historic debt to the indigenous peoples, the Permanent Representative of Cuba to the United Nations, Ambassador Anayansi Rodríguez Camejo, highlighted that it sends a clear message to the international community in favor of the survival and well-being of indigenous peoples, especially in favor of their minority cultures and languages and their right to promote their own view of economic, social and cultural development.
On behalf of Cuba, she supported the right of these communities to preserve their tradition and culture and, highlighted the recognition stated in the text of the Declaration on the right of indigenous peoples to self-determination and, by virtue of it, to freely determine their political status.
At the end of her statement, she reiterated Cuba´s traditional support to the just claims of indigenous peoples for the effective realization of their rights and the free exercise thereof.
One of the main speakers for this High Level Segment of the Forum was President of Bolivia, Evo Morales, who referred to the progress achieved by the Plurinational State in the promotion and protection of the rights of the native peoples. The Andean President condemned the social, political and economic policies implemented by capitalism, which have caused marginalization situations on many worldwide indigenous communities.
While mentioning the ways to overcome the current situation of economic, political, social and institutional crisis on the planet, Morales stated, jointly with other required actions, the importance of eliminating unilateral aggressive acts, among them the blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba.
The Cuban Ambassador held a brief greetings conversation with the Bolivian Head of State who, before departing, shared animatedly some minutes with the Ambassadors of ALBA countries, who were present at the event. (Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations)