Mr. President,
As inequalities and the gap between a minority of developed nations and a majority of developing nations increase, the need for a just, democratic and equitable international order becomes increasingly clear.
The promotion and protection of human rights is a common goal, which can only be achieved through a genuine spirit of respect and constructive dialogue.
However, 75 years after the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and 30 years after the Vienna Declaration and Program of Action, the scenario is not encouraging.
Although the establishment of the Human Rights Council responded to the need to replace the discredited Commission on Human Rights, Western attempts to turn this body into a court of inquisition could lead it down the same path of discredit as its predecessor.
Preventing this from happening must be a priority for the member states of this Council and for those who wish to join it.
No country is exempt from human rights challenges, nor does it have the authority to proclaim itself a paradigm of these rights or to single out other models, cultures and socio-economic systems.
Mr. President,
As a new session of the Council begins, we reiterate our strong support and solidarity to the brotherly Palestinian people, who are suffering serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in their illegally occupied territories. Israeli genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity against Palestine must cease immediately.
Mr. President,
Cuba defends respectful and constructive dialogue and cooperation as effective ways for the promotion and protection of human rights, without politicization, double standards, conditioning or pressure.
It is vital to respect the principles of universality, indivisibility, objectivity and non-selectivity in dealing with this priority issue.
As a sign of our unwavering commitment to human rights, Cuba submitted, on November 15, for the fourth time, to the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).
At this session of the Council, which has just begun, we will present our position on the recommendations received. I can anticipate that we will accept a significantly greater number than in previous reviews.
The fourth cycle of the UPR will be the starting point for a new phase of our work, in which we will continue to improve our legal and institutional framework for the protection of human rights.
We will continue to promote dialogue and cooperation with human rights mechanisms of a universal and non-discriminatory nature.
We will continue to develop various technical exchange actions with the Office of the High Commissioner, following up on the productive high-level meetings held between both parties during the past year.
Mr. President,
For more than 60 years, Cuba has suffered an economic, commercial and financial blockade designed to suffocate the country, subvert its internal order, create a situation of ungovernability and destroy the constitutional system of our nation.
The blockade constitutes a massive, flagrant and systematic violation of the human rights of our people. Added to this is the arbitrary inclusion of Cuba in the spurious list of countries sponsoring terrorism, prepared unilaterally by the State Department, which also has a negative impact on human rights, particularly the right to development of Cubans.
Mr. President,
As a newly re-elected member, this Council will be able to continue counting on Cuba's constructive spirit and constant contribution to understanding and cooperation in the field of human rights.
We will continue to reject head-on the politicized and interventionist initiatives that try to impose themselves as a practice of this body, totally removed from the spirit of dialogue and consensus that is so needed in these defining moments for humanity.
We will continue to defend a universal vision, but from the South, in favor of the legitimate interests of developing countries. We reiterate our commitment to peace, multilateralism and the full realization of all human rights for all.
Thank you very much.