CubaMinrex. Sitio del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Cuba

Cuba Demands Respect from HRC

CUBA, January 25, 2009. Cuba on Sunday confirmed it will present all the necessary information and explanations to the Universal Periodic Review of the Geneva-based Human Rights Council, but demanded respect from the UN body. Maria del Carmen Herrera, Foreign Ministry's Multilateral Affairs department deputy director, told Juventud Rebelde daily there are favorable, equal conditions for Cuba, following the elimination in 2007 of a US-imposed mandate to discredit the island state.

The Cuban Revolution, she stressed, has an honorable record in human rights promotion and protection, so we expect this year´s review to be impartial.

According to the diplomat, 48 nations have already presented their report the Council. Another 15 countries will do the same this year.

Herrera recalled that in the past, some Western countries turned the former Human Rights Commission into “an Inquisition court” to impose selective, unfair resolutions on Southern, underdeveloped countries.

On October 31, Cuba presented its National Report, resulting from a large process of consultations that involved numerous state institutions and over 300 Cuban NGOs. (Cubaminrex- PL)