Mr. President,
Almost 20 years after the adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Indigenous women and girls continue to suffer disproportionately from acts of sexual and gender-based violence, barriers to accessing adequate health care, and exclusion from decisions that affect their lives and communities.
We agree with the Special Rapporteur that protecting the health and sexual and reproductive rights of Indigenous women requires recognition of the inalienable rights of these peoples, including the right to self-determination, their lands, territories and resources, and respect for their knowledge systems.
States have a responsibility to address the consequences of historical injustices and ensure that Indigenous women and girls can fully enjoy all their rights, including the right to health and sexual and reproductive rights, in accordance with the principle of free, prior and informed consent.
Cuba will continue to advocate for the protection, recognition and effective implementation of the rights of Indigenous peoples.
Progress has been made, but much remains to be done. Our country will continue contributing to efforts to achieve the full implementation of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Thank you very much.