Human Rights Experts Condemn US Blacklisting of Cuba

 

Havana, Feb 7 (ACN) A group of independent human rights experts expressed their concern about the recent US decision to relist Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism.

According to a report issued in Switzerland and posted on the Cuban Foreign Ministry’s webpage, the group of experts include Special Rapporteur on negative repercussions of unilateral coercive measures, Alena Douhan; International Order expert George Katrougalos; Foreign Debt and Human Rights expert Attiya Waris, and Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women and Girls Reem Alsalem.

In their call, the expert say they deeply regret the US decision, which is a step backwards not only for US-Cuba bilateral relations, but also and more important for human rights and the welfare of the Cuban people.

The relisting of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism just after US President Donald Trump returned to the White House on January 20th, runs contrary to fundamental principles of International Law and has a devastating impact on vulnerable Cuban population sectors.

The experts urged Washington to remove the island nation from the blacklist and drop all unilateral coercive measures against it, including the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed on Cuba for over 60 years.

Keeping Cuba on the list undermines government efforts to face the accumulated and adverse effects of the prolonged US siege and the serious consequences inflicted by the COVID-19 pandemic and natural phenomena, the experts noted.