Mr. Vice-President,
Cuba supports the important mandate of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention.
In light of the well-known attempts by some countries and actors to improperly use this Working Group to pursue allegations for clearly political purposes, we consider that the Working Group should continue to act professionally, objectively, and in strict compliance with the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures.
It is necessary to ensure, at a minimum, a basic verification of the credibility and veracity of the sources that provide information and submit allegations, in order to avoid the issuance of opinions detached from reality that undermine the credibility of the Working Group, while wasting the limited human and financial resources of this important mechanism.
The responses provided by States regarding the allegations should be duly taken into account, without preconceived criteria.
It is the responsibility of all of us to prevent the manipulation and abuse of Special Procedures for purposes unrelated to the promotion and protection of human rights.
Cuba reiterates its commitment to continuing to cooperate constructively with the Working Group and with the other United Nations human rights mechanisms, on the basis of the principles of non-selectivity, non-politicization, impartiality, non-interference, and respect for the sovereignty of States.
Thank you very much.