CubaMinrex. Sitio del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Cuba

Statement by the delegation of the Republic of Cuba, at the adoption of resolution on “Extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions”. 65th UNGA. Plenary of the General Assembly. New York, 21 December 2010.

Mr. President,

In relation to draft resolution on “Extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions” that has been adopted some minutes ago, my delegation wishes to make the following statement:

The respect for life, liberty and security of person is essential for the exercise of all human rights. In that context, the practice of extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions is set as an abominable act of flagrant violation of human rights, specially the right to life and to the physical integrity of the victims. 

Cuba strongly rejects these practices and endorses the pressing need for effective measures to prevent, combat, and eliminate actions of this sort, including the obligation to see that such acts do not go unpunished.

Guaranteeing the full protection of the right to life of all persons, without distinction, constitutes an unavoidable responsibility of all States, mainly in the case of persons or specific group of persons that are particularly vulnerable.   

To Cuba, every act of extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary execution is condemnable, unjustified and illegal, including those based on clearly discriminatory grounds such as race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status, or any other kind of discrimination detrimental to the human dignity

In Cuba, discrimination is constitutionally proscribed, whatever its nature. There is no legislation whatsoever that penalizes a person on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity

The Cuban National Center for Sex Education and the Cuban Multidisciplinary Society for the Study of Sexuality (SOCUMES), along with other State and Government institutions, have promoted the respect for the liberal sexual orientation and gender identity in line with and reflecting the firm political will of our State and Government to ensure the full equality of all Cuban men and women

In tune with this position, Cuba reiterates its rejection of extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions in all its forms and manifestations, whatever their motivations, including those committed on grounds of sexual orientation or related to gender identity.

Mr. President,

We are concerned that an especially sensitive question of this sort is the object of political manipulation by the US Government, which is the proposer of the amendment presented to this resolution. It is a country with a long record of extrajudicial executions. It does not go unnoticed that, in a public opinion game, that country becomes the “champion” of this issue, when in recent years it has abstained with respect to the draft resolution as a whole.

As seen here, on this occasion the United States have abstained again, which clearly shows the manipulative nature of their amendment and that said proposal has actually nothing to do with the defense of the sexual orientation of individuals.

Thank you

(Cubaminrex-Misión ONU)