New York, 15 December 2016. How may we speak about a culture of peace when the mere existence of nuclear weapons seriously threatens, not only international peace and security, but the survival of the human species in the planet?, inquired the Deputy Permanent Representative of Cuba to the United Nations, Ambassador Ana Silvia Rodríguez Abascal, while addressing the Plenary of the United Nations General Assembly during the General Debate of Agenda item “Culture of Peace”. In this line, the Ambassador conveyed Cuba´s certainty that to preserve and promote peace, it is necessary that States’ policies be oriented towards the elimination of the threat of war, particularly nuclear war; refraining from the use or threat of use of force in international relations and the peaceful solution to international disputes in accordance with the UN Charter.
Within this framework, the Cuban diplomat considered that despite the sustained international claim to achieve and strengthen a culture of peace, phenomena attempting against real possibilities of moving forward persist. She did not fail to reiterate that putting an end to the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States of America against Cuba, would turn out to be a unitary influence in favor of peace and the peaceful solution to conflicts and differences. She also considered that the manipulated exercise and double standards in issues like human rights, aiming at singularizing developing countries and discrediting their legitimate governments, does not contribute to the ideal of peace.
On behalf of Cuba, and after underlining the importance of the role of education and the mass media in building-up knowledge contributing to mutual respect among civilizations, the Cuban Ambassador reaffirmed the CELAC Declaration on Latin America and the Caribbean as a Peace Zone; the full force of the Declaration of the Program of Action on Culture of Peace and concluded by reiterating that peace is a fundamental requirement for the promotion and protection of all human rights for each and every person. (Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations)