Cuba's DPR to the UN, Yuri Gala,

United Nations, October 13 (RHC)-- Cuba's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Yuri Gala, denounced the persistence of punitive approaches, selective practices, and double standards related to the promotion and protection of human rights.

In an interactive virtual dialogue with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, the ambassador stressed that the promotion and protection of these fundamental guarantees must be guided by principles of impartiality, objectivity, and non-selectivity.

Furthermore, he said, these issues should be addressed by the international community in a spirit of dialogue and cooperation.

Gala also recalled that in March 2020, Bachelet called for the lifting of the so-called 'sanctions' in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Unfortunately, the diplomat emphasized, unilateral coercive measures continue to be applied unscrupulously, with devastating impact.

For example, he added, the United States has taken advantage of the pandemic in a premeditated manner to tighten the economic, commercial, and financial blockade against Cuba in an unprecedented way.

This policy contravenes the UN Charter and international law, violates the human rights of Cubans, and is the main obstacle to the island's development, he stressed.

It is also a serious obstacle to the response to the Covid-19 pandemic and prevents Cuba from accessing necessary medical and health resources.

Despite the rejection of the international community and the UN authorities themselves, Washington's blockade against Cuba is maintained and has intensified in the context of the health crisis.