Geneva, March 1 (RHC)—Cuba´s Ambassador to the UN Council for Human Rights in Geneva, Pedro Luis Pedroso, has reiterated the island´s commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights.

Speaking at the General Segment of the 37th regular session of the Council, the diplomat highlighted how the island´s authorities prioritize the access of Cuban citizens to basic and fundamental rights such as free access to health services and high quality education, social protection, food security and sustainable access to drinking water, among others.

Pedroso recalled that in 2017 Cuba reached the lowest infant mortality rate of its history, with four deaths per one thousand live births, a result which surpasses that indicator in many developed countries.

The ambassador said that to achieve these results, Cuba has had to "overcome the negative consequences of the genocidal economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States."

Pedroso stressed that Havana maintains its cooperation and interaction with United Nations human rights procedures and mechanisms that have universal application, on a non-discriminatory basis.

In another moment of his address, the Cuban ambassador ratified Cuba´s solidarity with Venezuela and rejected "the unilateral coercive measures imposed against that country."

He also reiterated the concern and rejection of the United States  unilateral decision to recognize the city of Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel.