GENEVA, July 31 (NNN-XINHUA) — Three independent experts of the United Nations (UN) urged the United States to remove Cuba from the US Department of State list of State Sponsors of Terrorism (SSOT) here on Tuesday.
“We are seriously concerned at the redesignation by the US Government since 2021 of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism. The expansion of related restrictions has reportedly deepened the country’s international isolation for over 62 years as a result of the US embargo,” the experts said in a joint statement.
The three UN experts are Alena Douhan, Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of the unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights; Cecilia M. Bailliet, Independent Expert on human rights and international solidarity; George Katrougalos, Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order.
According to them, the SSOT redesignation has brought a range of additional economic and financial restrictions, which have exacerbated the country’s economic difficulties. This has hindered Cuba’s ability to address the needs of its population at a critical time when it faces significant economic challenges.
“Cuba’s SSOT redesignation has added to the challenges already faced by the people of Cuba during the last three to four years, alongside serious disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters, and the economic and financial developments which have affected global supply chains, and commodity and energy prices,” the experts said.
The experts urged the US government to lift the restrictions on Cuba resulting from the longstanding embargo and the SSOT redesignation. They noted that the unilateral designation of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism contradicts fundamental principles of international law, including the sovereign equality of states, non-intervention in domestic affairs, and the peaceful settlement of disputes.
The experts have already shared their concerns with the US Government. — NNN-XINHUA