Madam President,
The Social Forum is a unique space for respectful dialogue between the most diverse actors, including a broad range of civil society organizations. We will continue to be firmly committed to the Forum, and we trust that its constructive spirit will prevail in other spaces and mechanisms of the Council.
Despite of the efforts of the Secretariat, we do regret that during the last session of the Forum the health situation and technical problems affected the effective participation of several panelists and members of civil society.
Madam President,
Cuba maintains a high level of cooperation and interaction with the universal and non-discriminatory human rights procedures and mechanisms.
While maintaining that cooperation, we express our profound concern at the unacceptable conduct of certain mandate holders, who appear to have forgotten that they are beholding to the Code of Conduct. Independence is not synonymous for a carte blanche to assume ideological aggressive postures against certain countries. They should critically value the internal procedures that ensure the compliance with that code, as well as the sources of funding, the use of social networks, among other factors. The mechanisms in force do not seem to be yielding good results.
In that regard, we reiterate that the Office of the High Commissioner is not just a letterbox for processing allegations and communications.
It is responsible for ensuring compliance with the basic principles of the UN Charter, including by mandates holders, to whom they advise.
Therefore, we align with the joint statement made by a like-minded group of countries.
Madam President,
We reiterate our rejection of the so-called theme of “Prevention” and other initiatives that are alien to the mandate of this organ.
We reject any recommendation or proposal that runs counter the UN Charter, the mandate of the Council, the Institution-building Package and interferes in the work of many other organs and mechanisms within the system.
Thank you very much