Mr. President,
Education is a fundamental human right, indispensable for the realization of all other human rights. It is also an essential pillar for sustainable development and the prosperity of any nation.
Cuba recognizes the valuable work of the Special Rapporteur and supports the renewal of the mandate.
We welcome the continuation of the annual periodicity of the mandate holder’s reports to the Human Rights Council and the General Assembly.
We also support the request contained in the text to ensure the necessary human and financial resources for the effective fulfilment of the mandate.
For Cuba, education is a top priority, to which 20% of the national budget is devoted. In our country, universal and free access to all levels of education is guaranteed.
The ruthless economic siege imposed by the United States against Cuba, intensified by a brutal total fuel blockade, seriously affects the education system.
Despite the enormous challenges imposed by the United States’ policy of asphyxiation, the Cuban education system has neither stopped nor collapsed. We will continue educating with the resources available to us, through tremendous efforts, creativity and dedication.
We request the Special Rapporteur to document the serious effects that the imposition of unilateral coercive measures has on the human right to education, as is the case with Cuba, and to promote concrete actions so that the responsible States immediately put an end to such measures.
Cuba supports draft resolution L.6 and hopes that it can be adopted by consensus.
Thank you.