In October 2020, Cuba was newly elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council. This is an important victory for Cuba as the U.S. government and its imperialist allies often criticize what they call “Cuba’s Human Rights record.” They often accuse Cuba of jailing political opponents and censorship (see "Who’s behind the anti-Cuban show in San Isidro?" on page 10 in this issue of FTT). The most recent campaign of lies and political doublespeak by the U.S. government has attempted to label the work of the Cuban Henry Reeve International Medical Brigades, which have sent Cuban medical professionals to 39 different countries to help fight against Covid-19, as “victims of human trafficking.” Despite the Trump administration’s best efforts, the world community has seen through this slander campaign against Cuba.
Cuba often reframes the question of human rights – should they just be political rights? Or shouldn't the right to clean water, health care for all, education for all, proper food, a home, and a job all be considered human rights? Indeed, these are the human rights demanded by poor and working people throughout the world – including the so-called “first world,” and are completely neglected. Throughout countries like the U.S., Canada, England, France, etc., the wealthy minority are making billions of dollars during a global pandemic, while the mass majority, if not dying in the thousands every day, are struggling to make rent, provide food, pay the bills, and find or keep a job.
Fire This Time Newspaper is reprinting a statement by Cuba’s Mission to the United Nations about Cuba’s triumphant election to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
New York, 13 October 2020. Despite the United States aggressive campaign against Cuba´s candidature to the Human Rights Council, the United Nations General Assembly elected Cuba as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council, for 2021-2023 term, with 170 of the 193 possible votes.
The Human Rights Council was established on 15 March 2006. It consists of 47 Member States of the United Nations, which are elected directly and by secret ballot by the Member States.
Cuba, a founding member of the Council, served for two consecutive terms in the body until 2012 and then for two more terms, between 2014 and 2019.
In said scenario, it has submitted resolutions on the right to food; cultural rights and cultural diversity; and the effects of external debt on the enjoyment of human rights, particularly economic, social and cultural rights, among other rights. The active participation of Cuba in the body has also resulted, inter alia, in the renewal of the mandate of the independent expert on promotion of a democratic and equitable international order.
With this new election, the Caribbean island reaffirms its commitment to an international order based on inclusion, social justice, human dignity, mutual understanding and promotion and respect for cultural diversity.
At the same time, it scuttles the current maneuvers of the United States administration that does not miss the opportunity to slander the exemplary performance of Cuba in terms of human rights.
The Caribbean island will continue to defend dialogue and cooperation with its own voice, in favor of the rights of all people.
From: http://misiones.minrex.gob.cu
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