Geneva, 13 Sep.- The Cuban ambassador to UN Geneva, Juan Antonio Quintanilla, called today to prioritize in the issue of human rights the fight against politicization and selectivity, as well as the attachment to impartiality and universality.
Speaking at the debates of the 51st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the diplomat welcomed the appointment of Volker Türk as the new High Commissioner, It wished him success in his duties and reaffirmed the Caribbean island’s willingness to cooperate and dialogue on the basis of mutual respect.
«Cuba reiterates that in the work of the Office of the High Commissioner, impartiality and universality in addressing human rights, as well as the fight against politicization and selectivity, must be a priority and a central objective,» he stressed.
Quintanilla stressed Cuba’s concern about the bias of some special procedures, and demanded better advice from the Office.
He also urged her to work for respect, a balanced approach, objectivity, dialogue and cooperation, «which the Council and, in general, the human rights machinery so badly lacks».
According to the Ambassador of Cuba, a good sign in that direction would be to achieve a regional balance in the representation of the staff of the Office, based on public goals and deadlines for that purpose.
In his speech, Quintanilla rejected the issuance of a report against China, which he described as illegitimate and the result of pressures from Western countries with obvious geopolitical objectives.
The island’s representative also spoke on Tuesday in an interactive photo focused on Nicaragua, in which he confirmed Cuba’s unrestricted support for the FSLN government and the Nicaraguan people.
In this regard, he condemned the continuation of hostile actions against Managua, including those carried out in the name of human rights and the illegitimate use of human rights bodies and mechanisms.
We invite Nicaragua to continue to vigorously confront external interference, threats, destabilization and unilateral coercive measures, he said at the 51st session of the Human Rights Council.
(Text and photo: PL)