Pretoria, 10 September 2026. — During the 63rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the South African delegation denounced the serious humanitarian consequences of the unilateral coercive measures imposed against Cuba.
In its statement, South Africa warned of the impact of these measures on the welfare of the Cuban people and highlighted the extraterritorial and deterrent nature of the US economic, commercial and financial blockade, which hinders trade, investment, banking operations and access to essential goods and services.
The session included a review of the report by the Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights, Alena Douhan, concerning her visit to Cuba. The document details the effects of these policies on essential sectors such as health, energy, food, transport and education.
The Cuban Embassy in South Africa welcomes the firm stance taken by the South African Government, as well as its defence of human rights, multilateralism and international law.
Cuba reiterates its call for the immediate and unconditional lifting of the blockade and an end to its extraterritorial effects, including secondary sanctions and financial persecution against entities in third countries.
(Cuban Embassy in South Africa)