Cuba celebrates this International Human Rights Day 2021, being one of the UN member states with the highest number of ratifications of human rights instruments. Our country has ratified 44 of the 61 international instruments on this matter.
The government of Cuba has maintained its firm will to continue strengthening and perfecting the promotion and protection of all human rights for all, despite the effects of the criminal economic, commercial and financial blockade that successive U.S. administrations have maintained for more than six decades against the country. The blockade is the main obstacle to the development of our country in all fields and a flagrant violation of the human rights of our population.
Cuba has a lot to show about guarantees and the enjoyment of human rights for all. We are proud that the health system in Cuba has universal coverage and free assistance. Health is a right of all persons, and it is the responsibility of the Cuban State to guarantee access and quality of services, with a National Health System based on a single, public model and with a strong community and prevention base.
Cuba was recognized by the WHO as the first country in the world to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and Syphilis. The impact indicators that made it possible to obtain this result are maintained to date.
Cuba has faced the Covid-19 pandemic with a management system based on science and innovation. As a result of the talent and dedication of our scientists, and of the priority granted by the Cuban government, we have managed to design and produce three of our own vaccines against Covid-19 and two other vaccine candidates.
However, Cuba has not limited itself to protecting the lives of its citizens, but has contributed to improving the living conditions of other peoples and nations, through international cooperation and solidarity aid projects. The work of the 57 Cuban medical brigades, made up of nearly 5,000 health professionals, who have supported the fight against the pandemic in 41 countries and territories stands out. These brigades joined those already serving in 59 nations, despite immoral discredit campaigns by the U.S. government.
In our country, universal and free coverage is guaranteed at all levels of education. Cuba has been recognized by UNESCO as the only country in Latin America and the Caribbean that managed to meet all of the global goals of Education for All in the period 2000–2015.
The Cuban program “Yes, I Can” has made it possible to literate 9 million 530 thousand 248 people in more than 30 countries and graduate 1 million 346 thousand 082 in post-literacy, even in several native languages.
These are just a few examples of what a small country can achieve with genuine political will and respect for human rights at the national and international level. However, the complex global situation threatens to sweep away the modest gains made in many parts of the world, again putting developing countries at disadvantage.
COVID-19 and its effects have generated a health crisis of enormous magnitude and aggravated the pre-existing systemic crises, threatening everyone's life and confirming the need for cooperation and solidarity to face the pandemic and the growing challenges derived from it. International cooperation and solidarity are more necessary than ever.
An honest and depoliticized system for the protection and promotion of human rights is also required, which promotes sustainable development, the right to development, peace, international solidarity and a democratic and equitable international order. Full respect for sovereignty and for the laws, policies and historical and cultural context of nations is essential.
On the International Day, Cuba reaffirms that human rights are universal, inalienable, interdependent and indivisible, and ratifies its willingness to continue working towards the end of manipulation and double standards in this area.
The Cuban people, faithful to its history, will continue to defend the Revolution and build socialism, as the only guarantee of the true promotion of all human rights for all, and will maintain as a guide the quote of Marti to achieve all justice, and the conviction of its historical leader Fidel Castro, that a better world is possible.
Permanent Mission of Cuba