Madam President,
We need to see an end to the harmful practice by some countries of promoting, without the slightest compunction, double standards, manipulation and a punitive approach and selectivity in terms of human rights.
Cuba will continue to condemn and reject the use of human rights as a political weapon. Likewise, the use of this Council as a stage for confrontation.
There is an increasing evidence of an attempt to use the Council and turn it into some kind of court, where there is a promotion of meddling and an attempt to change regime.
The resolutions and mandates emanating from initiatives under this item on the agenda generally do not have any impact on the ground, because they do not have the blessing of the States concerned.
Nevertheless, millions of dollars are spent for these initiatives and mandates. This is an unfruitful way of using resources, in a multilateral system that requires the greatest attention possible for issues connected to development.
The punitive approach should be replaced by one where respect, cooperation and constructive dialogue prevail.
Madam President,
Some countries try to get lessons on standards on democracy and human rights. These are far from reality and often they are not even fulfilling these themselves.
The discourse performed by some countries that apparently recognized their own problems and are fully open to scrutiny, is not credible. It is very easy to adopt this kind of rhetoric when we know that they will never be scrutinized.
Because in this world, unfortunately, he who pays the piper calls the tune. Are these countries actually ready to put forward resolutions or mandates on themselves?
Madam President,
In this Council, we do not see reports of the serious, flagrant and evident violations of human rights of the powerful. They are not condemned for imposing criminal unilateral coercive measures. Nor they condemn the threats and aggressions against States, or the continuous violations of the most basic rules that govern relations between countries.
Let us restore the key objectives of cooperation and dialogue that should govern this body.
Thank you very much