Mr. President,
Cuba maintains a zero-tolerance policy regarding any form of human trafficking, with a focus on prevention and addressing this scourge and its related crimes. The incidence of human trafficking cases in our country is low.
We have a National Action Plan for the Prevention and Combating of Human Trafficking and the Protection of Victims. It is effective because it is based on coordinated action between the State and Cuban civil society organizations.
We agree with the Special Rapporteur that child trafficking is a serious crime and a violation of human rights. As she rightly states, in measures concerning children, their best interests must be a primary consideration.
In Cuba, the best interests of the child have constitutional status. Children and adolescents are protected against all forms of violence. The Government and Cuban civil society ensure attention to victims, as well as to those in situations of vulnerability, particularly children, women, older persons, and persons with disabilities.
As part of its policy of suffocation against the Cuban people, the United States attacks Cuban medical international cooperation and spreads false accusations of human trafficking against it. These aim to tarnish our country’s exemplary work against this scourge and to damage a solidarity-based service that has benefited millions of humble people across several continents.
Nothing will weaken our commitment to international cooperation and to the prevention and combating of human trafficking.
Thank you.