The authors of the statement believe that in the context of the pandemic, sanctions are jeopardizing the right to life and health of the most vulnerable segments of the population of the Republic.
American sanctions against Cuba, which have prevented the purchase of medicines, medical equipment and food in the context of the Coronavirus pandemic, should be lifted. Such an appeal was made to the United States on Thursday by UN human rights experts.
“We call on the U.S. to eliminate trade barrier measures, as well as barring tariffs, quotas and non-tariff measures, including those that prevent the financing of the purchase of medicines, medical equipment, food and essential supplies”, – said a joint statement signed by seven special rapporteurs of the UN Human Rights Council.
They recalled that the United States has ignored repeated calls for the lifting of sanctions that “undermine the ability of Cuba and other countries to respond effectively to the pandemic and save lives. According to experts, “in a pandemic emergency, the lack of willingness on the part of the U.S. government to suspend the sanctions” could increase the “enormous physical and psychological suffering” of those affected by the pandemic.
As emphasized in the statement, the U.S. embargo against Cuba and sanctions against other countries “seriously undermine international cooperation in the fight against the pandemic. Experts explained that, because of the United States embargo, the export and re-export of goods to Cuba requires a complex and costly licensing process, which undermines “the effectiveness of procurement of medicines, medical equipment and technology”. The authors of the statement consider that, in the context of the pandemic, sanctions threaten “the right to life, health and other essential rights of the most vulnerable people in Cuba”.
Among the signatories are the Special Rapporteurs on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on human rights, Alain Duhan, on torture, Niels Melzer and on extrajudicial executions, Agnès Callamard.