"An Island on a Continent"

Geneva, Nov 15 (Agencies) Cuba’s efforts to promote and protect human rights (HR) were recognized here, when the fourth cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the Human Rights Council was held this Wednesday.

After the intervention of the Cuban Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, representatives of various countries highlighted the actions of the Caribbean island to approve legislation that promotes and protects human rights, including the adoption of a new Constitution.

The delegations of China, Angola and Nicaragua praised the excellent progress of the largest of the Antilles in the protection of human rights and also to fulfill the socioeconomic rights of all its citizens, despite the blockade imposed by the United States.

Lebanon, Morocco, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Jordan, Kenya, South Africa, Namibia and Venezuela, among others, noted the Cuban government’s tireless efforts to guarantee civil rights, including the fight against racism and discrimination, as well as actions to treat gender violence.

Mexico also highlighted the recent approval in the Antillean country of a women’s empowerment program, while Mongolia congratulated the island for the approval of its new Constitution, which was preceded by a process of discussion of the text by the population.

In his speech, Rodríguez Parrilla, affirmed that Cuba will continue to promote the construction of an increasingly free, democratic, fair, supportive, participatory and socialist society.

He stressed that his country will continue to improve the institutional and legal framework for the protection of the human rights of all its citizens.

«Despite Cuba’s progress since the previous Review (2018), we have dissatisfactions and we strive to improve, promote “full dignity” and “all justice” and face current challenges,” he noted.

Created in 2006, the UPR is a unique mechanism of the HRC that stipulates that every four and a half years each Member State of the United Nations undergoes an analysis of its performance in matters of human rights.

Since the first UPR was carried out in 2008, all UN Member States have undergone the evaluation three times. The fourth exam cycle began in November 2022.