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Fifth Session of the Human Rights Council Situation of Human Rights in Cuba Geneva, Thank you, Mr. President. The United States shares the Special Rapporteur’s concern regarding the human rights situation in Cuba. We urge Cuba to allow the personal representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit Cuba, in order to create a dialogue that would allow her to fulfill her mandate to examine the human rights situation in Cuba. Through its repressive tactics, the Castro regime continues to violate the rights of its citizens, including their right to change their government peacefully, to freedom of assembly, and to freedom of expression. Cuba has banned the publication of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as any non-state sanctioned publication. The United States agrees with Madame Chanet’s recommendation that Cuba should immediately release all political prisoners and halt the prosecution of citizens exercising rights as reflected in Articles 18, 19, 20 and 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We are especially concerned about the conditions under which they are being held. For example, political prisoner Guido Sigler Amaya is reportedly gravely ill due to the lack of medical attention from prison authorities. The Special Rapporteur holds the Cuban government accountable for him and others in his situation. The United States strongly supports her recommendation that Cuba should allow non-governmental organizations entry into the country. We also agree that Cuba should promote pluralism in trade unions, associations, political parties, the press, and other entities throughout Cuba. The United States disagrees, however, with the comments on the embargo in the Report. The Cuban government’s economic mismanagement and neglect of its own people are the reasons for Cuba’s economic and political woes. United States’ policy towards Cuba encourages a transition toward a democratic, market-oriented society. Thank you, Mr. President.
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