Vienna, April 27, 2020. The Austria-Cuba Friendship Association "ÖKG" has initiated a call for the collection of signatures against the economic, commercial and financial blockade of the United States against Cuba, under the title: "Cuba helps, we help Cuba! - For the end of the blockade!”.
The signatures are aimed at calling on the Austrian government to do everything in its power to persuade the United States Administration to end the blockade against Cuba, immediately. It also calls on the European Union to put up clear resistance to sanctions against Cuba and other countries, which violate international law. He also calls, as a sign of solidarity and gratitude for Cuba's international support in the fight against COVID-19, for all Cuba's external debts to be canceled.
The petition will remain open for 6 months. It has started with the signatures of 40 prominent figures from political sectors, intellectuals and members of social and youth organizations in Austria; highlighting the presence of Federal Parliamentarians; of Regional and Local Parliamentarians from Styria, Vienna, Lower Austria and Carinthia and from members of the Social Democratic Parties (SPÖ), Communist Party of Austria (KPÖ) and Styria (KPÖe) and the Labor Party (PdA).
The request can be accessed through the link: www.cuba.or.at/2020/04/26/petition/. In it, it is argued that “Cuba has practiced international solidarity for decades. Currently, thousands of Cuban doctors provide medical assistance in more than 20 countries affected by COVID-19, as was the most recent case in the fight against Ebola. Meanwhile, the sanctions and unilateral blockade of the United States that has been violating international law for more than 60 years continue. This complicates or prevents access to urgently needed medications, food, fuel, and medical devices.
The blockade of the United States, condemned annually by the United Nations, constitutes a crime against humanity and must be ended immediately, especially in times of humanitarian emergency, such as the crown pandemic.
This difficult time is not just about helping the Cuban people, but also creating conditions so that Cuba can continue helping other countries with medical aid in the fight against the Corona virus.
(Embacuba Austria)