Statement delivered in the Interactive Dialogue with the independent Expert on Human Rights and International Solidarity, Ms. Cecilia Bailliet

Statement delivered in the Interactive Dialogue with the independent Expert on Human Rights and International Solidarity, Ms. Cecilia Bailliet, demanding the exclusion of Cuba from the List of States that Allegedly Sponsor Terrorism, under agenda item 71, entitled “Promotion and protection of human rights”, within the framework of the Third Committee of the General Assembly. New York, October 24th, 2024.

Ms. Chair,

I have the honor to make this statement on behalf of 123 Member States*.

The List of States Allegedly Sponsoring Terrorism goes against the fundamental principles and peremptory norms of international law, including international solidarity.

The process through which the designation is made is unclear and non-transparent. 

It negatively affects the realization and enjoyment of fundamental human rights, including the rights to food, health, education, economic and social rights, the right to life and the right to development.

In this sense, our countries demand the exclusion of Cuba from the List of States that allegedly sponsor terrorism, the effects of which reinforce the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the government of the United States.

The permanence of Cuba on that list causes extraordinary negative consequences on the Cuban economy, due to its intimidating effect and the hindering of economic-financial operations of third parties with Cuba, for fear of being fined. It hinders the country's possibilities of accessing food, medicines, fuel, medical equipment and other basic goods, which impacts the realization of economic, social and cultural rights.

Instead of imposing unilateral coercive measures contrary to international law, we must foster international solidarity and cooperation to face common challenges, promote and protect all human rights for all and achieve sustainable development goals.

Thank you.

*Member States that joined to the Declaration

Algeria, Republic of Angola, Republic of Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Republic of Burundi, Republic of Cabo Verde, Republic of Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of Chad, Union of the Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Cuba, Republic of Djibouti, Arab Republic of Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Kingdom of Eswatini, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Gabonese Republic, Gambia, Ghana, Republic of Guinea, Republic of Guinea-Bissau, Cote d´Ivoire, Republic of Kenya, Kingdom of Lesotho, Republic of Liberia, State of Libya, Republic of Madagascar, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Mali, Islamic Republic of Mauritania, Republic of Mauritius, Republic of Mozambique, Republic of Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, Republic of Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Republic of Senegal, Republic of Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Federal Republic of Somalia, Republic of South Africa, Republic of the Sudan, United Republic of Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Republic of Uganda, Republic of Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, Kingdom of Bahrain, People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Kingdom of Bhutan, Kingdom of Cambodia, India, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Iraq, Islamic Republic of Iran, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, State of Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Malaysia, Republic of Maldives, Mongolia, Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Nepal, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Sultanate of Oman, Pakistan, State of Palestine, Republic of the Philippines, State of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Republic of Singapore, Syrian Arab Republic, Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Thailand, Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Republic of Uzbekistan, Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, Republic of Yemen, Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth of the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Plurinational State of Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Commonwealth of Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Grenada, Guatemala, Co-operative Republic of Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Republic of Suriname, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Belarus, Republic of Fiji, Independent State of Papua New Guinea, Republic of Vanuatu, Türkiye, People’s Republic of China, Brazil, and the Russian Federation.

(Cubaminrez-Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations)