New York, 4 November 2016. Cuba reiterated its concern for the tendency at the Human Rights Council to impose selectivity and double standards when dealing with human rights situations.“Today, the Council requires to be rescued from the selectivity and political manipulation characterizing its work in the treatment of country situations. Cooperation and respectful dialogue should govern the work of this organ”, considered today Ambassador Ana Silvia Rodríguez Abascal, Deputy Permanent Representative of Cuba to the United Nations, while addressing the 71 UNGA Plenary.
As part of the General Debate of Agenda item “Report of the Human Rights Council”, the Cuban Ambassador expressed that the Universal Periodic Review has consolidated itself as the only existing universal mechanism for the comprehensive analysis of the human rights situation in all countries. Likewise, she insisted that the Council should continue to speak in favor of a democratic and equitable international order, as long as an unfair and excluding economic and political order persists and that, “As long as unilateral coercive measures are imposed and fierce blockades such as the blockade suffered by Cuba for over 50 years remain in place, the Council should reject and demand the end of these practices.”
When referring to the draft resolution “Declaration on the Human Right to Peace”, submitted by the Cuban delegation, she considered “We are encouraged that peace, now recognized as an essential requirement for enjoyment of all human rights, also receives the recognition it deserves as the right of all persons, individually and/or collectively, to contribute to the efforts in achieving peace in an atmosphere of harmony which enable them to fully meet their needs, and the full respect of individual and collective human rights.”
At the end of her statement, the Cuban diplomat made sure that Cuba will continue working to promote the rights of the peoples to self-determination, peace and development; for the realization of their right to food, the establishment of a democratic and equitable international order, in fighting racism, xenophobia and all forms of discrimination, for the realization of cultural rights and respect for diversity. Hence, she ratified Cuba’s endless commitment to the promotion of and respect for all human rights for everyone. (Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations)