CubaMinrex. Sitio del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Cuba

Statement by Juan Antonio Fernández Palacios, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Cuba, on the occasion of the Fourth Special Session of the Human Rights Council on the human rights situation in Darfur

Geneva, 12 December 2006

Mr. President,

Cuba was one of the 35 members of the Human Rights Council that supported and cosponsored the request to convene a Special Session to consider the “Human Rights Situation in Darfur”. We have also done so on the three previous occasions this Council held special sessions to consider the dramatic situation in Palestine, Lebanon and Beit Hanoun which, surprisingly, did not receive the enthusiastic support of any Member of the Western Group.

We have acted with integrity and a strict commitment to basic principles of this Council, as contained in Resolution 60/251 of the General Assembly, which provides that the work of this body should be guided by the principles of universality, impartiality, objectivity and non-selectivity, through constructive dialogue and a cooperative approach, with a view to enhancing the promotion and protection of all human rights.

The convening of this special session is in itself a categorical denial to the hypercritics of this Council, those who looked to its failing in order to be free to cover up their misdeeds throughout the world. It should be recalled, indeed, that this Council has not remained silent about the situation in Darfur given that on 28 November, just a few days ago, it adopted its first resolution on this matter submitted by the African group.

Mr. President,

The grave human rights and humanitarian situation in Darfur, Sudan, as recognized in Resolution 2/115 of this Council, is indeed a matter of concern to the international community. It is a complex and delicate situation with deep roots in the colonial past, in the artificial divisions created in Africa by ancient metropolises, in the structural poverty brought about by centuries of exploitation and plunder, and in current economic and geostrategic interests of the great single superpower.

To this may be added a persistent campaign of discredit and exaggeration orchestrated against the Government of Sudan with the clear aim of promoting the hegemonic pretensions of the West.

Cuba can attest to the tireless efforts of the Government of Sudan to tackle this crisis, and its permanent commitment to cooperate with the UN human rights mechanisms.

Recently, a group of Ambassadors and diplomats from different countries, including Cuba, had the opportunity to visit Darfur and gain first-hand knowledge of the situation on the ground, as have done many experts and non-governmental organizations working in Sudan. The Sudanese Government has provided plentiful information and recently honored us with the visit of the Deputy Governor of the State of South Darfur, Dr. Farah Mustafa. We have been told that severe measures have been adopted against those guilty of human rights violations and we have been asked for our support to promote the full implementation of the Darfur Peace Agreement, which should be signed by all parties involved in the conflict.

Mr. President,

The complex situation in Darfur can never be resolved through solutions imposed externally from New York or Geneva. The measures adopted by this Council will only be effective if they fully involve and are accepted by the Government of Sudan. The viewpoint of the African group and the measures it proposes to deal with this issue are equally shared by Cuba.

Cuba hopes that the debates and the outcome of this special session of the Human Rights Council will take a different path from the one taken so far in the United Nations. Solution to the situation in Darfur requires a long-term strategy for development and cooperation, forgoing inflammatory language and attempts to impose sanctions and unnecessary condemnation.

Thank you very much.

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