GENEVA, February 4, 2009. Cuba presents its report Thursday to the Fourth Session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva, where another 52 countries reports have already been reviewed. On Wednesday, a forum was held on Cuba’s report sponsored by four Cuban non-governmental organizations at the Palais de Nations in Geneva where the speakers received the backing of their colleagues and diplomats from diverse countries. Lourdes Cervantes, from the Organization in Solidarity with the Peoples of Asia, Africa and Latin America (OSPAAAL), noted the ongoing commitment of Cuba with developing countries. Esther Aguilera, vice president of the Cuban Economists Association, made a detailed presentation regarding the direct impact of the US blockade on Cuba’s development. Carolina Amador, of the Federation of Cuban Women (FMC), explained the positive repercussions of the social accomplishments of the Revolution in making equal rights a reality. A multimedia material which covers the advances of Cuba in all areas of human rights, including documents and speeches, as well as a documentary by Argentine filmmaker Carolina Silvestre, was made available to the participants during the presentation. On Thursday, Cuba’s Justice Minister, Maria Esther Reus, will present a summary of the report, followed by commentaries of the delegates participating in the UPR debates. Cuba’s First Deputy Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodriguez, is also part of the island’s delegation, as well as Deputy Attorney General Rafael Pino Becquer and the vice ministers of communications and labor, Boris Moreno and Marcia Enriquez. (Cubaminrex- Granma) |