Mr. President,
Cuba has the honour to present, on behalf of the __ co-sponsoring States, draft resolution L.11, aimed at renewing the mandate of the Independent Expert on the effects of foreign debt and other related international financial obligations of States on the full enjoyment of all human rights, particularly economic, social and cultural rights.
This mandate occupies a unique and irreplaceable place within the architecture of the Human Rights Council’s system of special procedures.
It is the only mechanism within the United Nations human rights system dedicated exclusively to examining the intersection between States’ international financial obligations and the full realization of human rights, with special emphasis on economic, social and cultural rights.
The burden of debt systematically aggravates the structural challenges faced by developing countries, deepens extreme poverty, and undermines States’ capacity to invest in health, education, food security, and social protection.
Draft resolution L.11, for the first time, includes a reference to regional financial institutions, alongside international ones, in the call for cooperation with the Independent Expert.
The text recognizes the work carried out by the Independent Expert and extends the mandate for a further three years. This will allow continued in-depth analysis of the external debt problem, debt burden and debt sustainability, and their impact on the enjoyment of human rights in affected countries.
We thank States and civil society organizations for their active and constructive participation in the consultations on this draft resolution.
We regret that some developed countries still do not recognize, despite clear evidence, the impact of external debt on the realization of human rights and the relevance of addressing this issue in the Human Rights Council.
Their arguments do not reflect the reality faced by many countries of the Global South. We hope these positions can be reconsidered and that those States will join in a constructive dialogue on this highly relevant issue.
On behalf of the co-sponsors, Cuba calls on Council members to vote in favour of draft resolution L.11.
Thank you.