Mr. President,
The Cuban delegation reiterates its support and extends its best wishes to you and the other members of the Bureau in the discharge of your duties. We welcome the new members of the Council and assure them of Cuba’s willingness to work with all in a cooperative and constructive manner.
The 61st session of the Council will take place in a complex international context.
The multilateral system and its institutions are under direct attack. The United States has withdrawn from this body and many others. It seeks to impose a new international order by replacing the force of law with the right to force.
The brutal military aggression against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, and the kidnapping of President Nicolás Maduro and Compañera Cilia Flores, are further evidence of the intentions of the Government of the United States to drive the world toward anarchy.
That country has embarked on an unprecedented aggressive escalation against Cuba, aimed at ruthlessly punishing our entire population, in flagrant violation of their human rights.
They have gone so far as to threaten trade tariffs against countries that supply oil to Cuba, attempting to make the international community complicit in an energy blockade of our nation.
They use as a pretext the absurd claim that Cuba constitutes an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security of the United States. The objective of this draconian unilateral coercive measure is to paralyze the economic and social activity of the country and to cause suffering for millions of Cuban people. The Human Rights Council cannot remain silent in the face of these criminal acts.
Mr. President,
During the 61st session of the Council, Cuba will present three draft resolutions.
The text on “The consequences of external debt and other related international financial obligations of States in the full enjoyment of all human rights, in particular economic, social, and cultural rights” will focus on the technical renewal of this important mandate, which helps to highlight the impact of external debt on the realization of human rights, including the right to development.
We will also present the draft on “Right to Food,” whose mandate is a relevant contribution by the Council to addressing food insecurity, hunger, and extreme poverty, and to supporting the efforts of developing countries in food production and the promotion of sustainable food systems.
Lastly, the draft resolution on “Promotion of the enjoyment of cultural rights for all and respect for cultural diversity” will emphasize the importance of respecting national and regional particularities, as well as historical, cultural, and religious diversity within and among States, regardless of their political and economic systems.
The Cuban delegation stands ready to work constructively, transparently, and inclusively with all delegations and civil society organizations on these three proposals, and we thank you in advance for your valuable support for them.
Thank you.