Near universal support to end US embargo on Cuba
A highlight of the 70th UN General Assembly was the huge applause for Cuban President Raúl Castro, in recognising the recent developments towards the normalization of US-Cuban relations. A month later the UN reaffirmed its condemnation of the remaining US embargo by a vote of 191 out of 193. Below is a report by Adriano José Timossi followed by extracts of Castro’s speech.
By Adriano José Timossi
One of the highlights of the 70th General Assembly was the warm welcome and applause given to Cuban President Raúl Castro when he spoke to the Assembly on 28 September. It was the first time he addressed the UN body. It marked an important moment as only a few months ago, US-Cuban diplomatic relations were established after 54 years of isolation. Still, two important issues remain on the agenda: the return of the occupied area of Guantanamo and ending the US economic embargo against Cuba of over 53 years.
At the end of his speech, a warm applause begun from all the corners of the General Assembly hall, as delegations stood to acknowledge the Cuban leader, and the applause lasted minutes. It was an emotional moment as the Assembly acknowledged the coming to the end of decades of unjust unilateral behaviour towards the small Caribbean country. In October, another important victory was obtained by Cuba when the UN General Assembly voted 191 out of 193 members on a resolution voted for its 24th time and entitled “Necessity of Ending the Economic, Commercial and Financial Embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba”condemning the US embargo on Cuba with just the United States and Israel voting against. Unlike previously, this year there were no abstentions. The first time this resolution was introduced by Cuba in 1992 only 59 countries voted in favour; three against with 71 abstentions and 46 countries did not take part.
The US President Barack Obama has recognized that the time has come for putting an end on the US embargo against Cuba and called upon US Congress for revisiting this policy. Public support in the US has also grown to end the embargo. These recent developments towards Cuba, once isolated from the world community as one of key targets of the Cold War, mark a historical moment.
Extracts of the speech by President Raúl Castro
Seventy years ago, on behalf of their peoples, the member States of this organization signed the United Nations Charter. We pledged ourselves to preserve future generations from the scourge of war, and to build a new type of relationship guided by a set of principles and purposes that should bring about an era of peace, justice and development for all of humanity.
However, as from that moment, there have constantly been wars of aggression, and interference in the internal affairs of the States; the ousting of sovereign governments by force, the so-called “soft coups” and the re-colonization of territories; and, all of these upgraded with new ingenious actions employing new technologies, and under the pretext of alleged human rights violations.
The militarization of cyberspace, and the covert and illegal use of information and communications technologies to attack other States is unacceptable, the same as the distortion of the advancement and protection of human rights used with a selective and discriminatory approach to validate and impose political decisions.
Despite the fact that the Charter calls to “reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person”, to millions of people the fulfillment of human rights remains a utopia. Humanity is denied the right to live in peace, and the right to development. It is in poverty and inequality where the cause of conflicts should be sought out; conflicts generated first by colonialism and the plundering of the original peoples, and later by imperialism and the distribution of spheres of influence.
The pledge made in 1945 “to promote social progress and better standards of life” for the peoples, along with their economic and social development, remains an illusion when 795 million people go hungry, 781 million adults are illiterate, and 17 thousand children perish every day from curable diseases, while annual military expenses worldwide amount to more than 1.7 trillion dollars. Barely a fraction of that figure could resolve the most pressing problems afflicting humanity.
Even in industrial nations the “welfare society”, usually presented as the model to imitate, has practically disappeared. The election systems and traditional parties that rely on money and publicity, are growing increasingly detached and distant from the aspirations of their peoples.
After 56 years in which the Cuban people put up a heroic and selfless resistance, diplomatic relations have been reestablished between Cuba and the United States of America.
Now, a long and complex process begins toward the normalization that will only be achieved with the end of the economic, commercial and financial blockade; the return to our country of the territory illegally occupied by Guantanamo Naval Base; the cessation of radio and TV broadcasts, and of subversion and destabilization programs against the Island; and, when our people are compensated for the human and economic damages they still endure.
While the blockade remains in force, we shall continue introducing the Draft Resolution entitled “Necessity of Ending the Economic, Commercial and Financial Embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba.”
To the 188 governments and peoples that have sponsored our just demand, here and in other international and regional forums, I reaffirm the eternal appreciation of the Cuban people and government for your continued support.
Cuba is celebrating with profound commitment the 70th anniversary of the United Nations Organization. We acknowledge that efforts have been made throughout these years, although not enough has been done, to save present and future generations from the scourge of war, and to protect their right to sustainable development without exclusions. The United Nations should be saved from unilateralism and deeply reformed to democratize it and bring it close to the peoples.
The international community can always depend on Cuba to rise its honest voice against injustice, inequality, underdevelopment, discrimination and manipulation; and for the establishment of a more equitable and fair international order that really focuses on the human being, his dignity and wellbeing.
Adriano José Timossi is a Senior Programme Officer of the Global Governance for Development Programme (GGDP) of the South Centre.
