The alternate permanent representative of Cuba to the UN, Yuri Gala, recalled that promoting and protecting all human rights must be guided by the principles of impartiality, objectivity and non-selectivity, and the spirit of dialogue and cooperation.

The United Nations and the Office of the High Commissioner must contribute in addressing this issue on objective, impartial, and non-discriminatory bases, otherwise, they could be discredited, he stated.

The Office could provide a greater contribution in favor of the realization of the right to development, and to make more visible the negative impact that sanctions have on human rights, which violate the Charter and international law.

The Cuban diplomat recalled the blockade imposed by the United States on Cuba as a clear example of this.

“The blockade constitutes a massive, flagrant, and systematic violation of the human rights of the Cubans, and prevents us from having the necessary resources to continue advancing in the promotion and protection of (human rights),” he stressed. “Furthermore, it represents the main obstacle to Cuba’s development,” he said.

The Cuban ambassador reiterated Cuba’s willingness to continue strengthening traditional cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner and ratified support for the High Commissioner’s mandate.

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