Situation of human rights in Cuba : resolution / adopted by the General Assembly

The General Assembly,

Reaffirming that all Member States have an obligation to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms as stated in the Charter of the United Nations and elaborated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenants on Human Rights and other applicable human rights instruments,

Reaffirming that all Member States have an obligation to fulfil the commitments they have freely undertaken under the various international instruments,

Taking particular note of Commission on Human Rights resolution 1992/61 of 3 March 1992, in which the Commission recognized with deep appreciation the efforts of the then Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Cuba,

Noting the appointment of the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on Cuba,

Noting as well concern about ongoing reports of serious violations of human rights in Cuba, as outlined in the interim report on the situation of human rights in Cuba presented to the General Assembly by the Special Rapporteur,

Recalling the failure of the Government of Cuba to cooperate with the Commission on Human Rights with regard to its resolution 1991/68 of 6 March 1991 by refusing to permit the Special Representative to visit Cuba, and noting its response, as cited in appendix I of the annex to the interim report of the Special Rapporteur, in which it expresses its decision not to "implement so much as a single comma of resolution 1992/61",

1.         Commends the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights for his interim report on the situation of human rights in Cuba;

2.         Expresses its full support for the work of the Special Rapporteur;

3.         Calls upon the Government of Cuba to cooperate fully with the Special Rapporteur by permitting him full and free accessso that he may establish contact with the Government and the citizens of Cuba in order to fulfil the mandate entrusted to him;

4.         Regrets profoundly the numerous uncontested reports of violations of basic human rights and fundamental freedoms that are described in the report of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and in the interim report of the Special Rapporteur;

5.         Calls upon the Government of Cuba to adopt measures proposed by the Special Rapporteur to cease the persecution and punishment of citizens for reasons related to freedom of expression and peaceful association, to permit legalization of independent groups, to respect guarantees of due process, to permit access to the prisons by national independent groups and international humanitarian agencies, to review sentences for crimes of a political nature and to cease retaliatory measures towards those seeking permission to leave the country;

6.         Decides to continue its consideration of this question at its forty-eighth session.