New York, 01 July 2024
Mr. Chairperson,
We appreciate the holding of the second meeting of the UN Committee on Relations with the Host Country this year.
- Question relating to the restriction on movement
- The 25-mile radius limit from Columbus Circle continues to be discriminatory and in violation of U.S. commitments as the host country of the United Nations. We reiterate that this restriction on movement is totally contrary to international law.
- Security of Permanent Missions
- It should be recalled that, in the year 2023, hostile demonstrations took place around the perimeter of the Permanent Mission of Cuba, which affected its normal functioning, without the Host Country authorities fully complying with their obligations and taking actions that would allow the personnel of our diplomatic headquarters to perform the functions for which they are accredited.
- In the past, the Cuban delegation has presented, in a timely manner, convincing examples of the violating behavior by these demonstrators, who have disturbed the tranquility of the Mission, hindered the working environment and endangered the safety of its members and their families residing in the diplomatic premises.
- In this regard, it is worth recalling the obligations of the U.S. government under the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Internationally Protected Persons, including Diplomatic Agents.
Mr. Chairperson,
- General comments
My delegation rejects the selective and arbitrary use of the Headquarters Agreement by the Host Country to prevent or limit the participation of certain delegations in the work of the Organization, which is a flagrant violation of the principle of sovereign equality among all Member States of the Organization.
The repeated violations committed by the Host Country, in shameful disregard of the rules of international law inherent to its obligations as the Organization's headquarters, and in blatant disrespect for the recommendations adopted in the reports of the Committee, cannot continue to be allowed.
As long as the Committee is not able to address situations with determination, the Organization will not be able to ensure that its member states participate and are represented on an equal footing, which is a violation of its founding Charter.
Thank you