The United States must remove Cuba from the list of countries sponsoring terrorism and lift the embargo

Three independent experts* They asked the United States on Tuesday to remove Cuba from the State Department’s list of state sponsors of terrorismstating that it is an urgent action in the current context of economic and humanitarian challenges facing the Caribbean country.

In 2021, the US government redesignated Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism, giving rise to the extension of restrictions and deepening the country’s 62-year-old international isolation as a result of the embargo imposed by the United States, the experts said in a joint statement.

They added that this redesignation entailed a series of additional economic and financial prohibitions with aggravated adverse effects on the country’s ability to meet the needs of its population at a critical time when Cuba faces serious economic challenges.

The rapporteurs explained that these additional trade restrictions They expanded the list of prohibited items and implied the suspension of financial and technical assistance American; the active opposition of the United States to the granting of loans to Cuba by international financial institutions; and the possible threats of interruption of assistance to other countries that provide aid to Cuba.

Humanitarian impact

“This redesignation has come on top of the challenges that the Cuban people have already faced over the past three or four years and the disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters, and economic and financial developments that have affected global supply chains and commodity and energy prices,” they said.

In addition, they continued, there has exacerbated uncertainty and fear among countries, businesses and other parties interested in maintaining or developing trade or other relations with Cubathus enforcing compliance with the restrictions.

This coercion has had a serious humanitarian impact “which covers humanitarian and development assistance, and the availability of essential goods, such as food and medicines,” they said.

Food insecurity increases

Experts also highlighted the increase in food insecurity. due to inflation in food prices and the contraction of agricultural production results of fuel shortages and restrictions on imports of agricultural machinery, chemicals, animal feed and spare parts.

Furthermore, Cuba’s redesignation as a state sponsor of terrorism has further complicated the already complex procedures for Licensing for the export of medicines and medical equipment the country, causing a shortage that affects all priority health sectors, including cardiovascular diseases, pediatric oncology, oncology, obstetrics and gynecology.

“The government of The United States must end restrictions imposed on Cuba,” the human rights experts emphasized.

Violation of international law

They stated that this unilateral designation of Cuba is contrary to the fundamental principles of international law, including the principle of sovereign equality of States, non-intervention in the internal affairs of States and the peaceful settlement of international disputes.

In conclusion, the experts recalled all the UN resolutions that underline the adverse humanitarian impact of unilateral coercive measures and the broad international support for lifting the embargo on Cuba.We urge the United States government to fully comply with all of its international obligations. on human rights, including extraterritorially, and to take swift action to end such measures,” they stressed.

The special rapporteurs who signed the statement are:  Alena Douhan,Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures; Cecilia M. Baillet, Independent expert on human rights and international solidarity; George Katrougalos, independent expert on international order

*The Experts and Special Rapporteurs are part of what is known as Procedures Specials of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the system of human rights The Special Procedures, or SOP, is the general name for the Council’s independent fact-finding and oversight mechanisms that address specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent of any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity.