[NYTr] US Isolated on Issue of Human Rights in Cuba

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

Agencia Cubana de Noticias (ACN) - Dec 18, 2007
http://ainch.ain.cu/mailman/listinfo/ingles


US Isolated on the Human Rights Issue in Cuba

By Angel Rodriguez Alvarez
AIN Special Service
Edited by NY Transfer News

The recent Cuban decision to sign the International Pact on Economic, 
Social and Cultural Rights and the Civil and Political Rights is a 
clear example of the island's conduct when it is not subjected to 
external pressures. It is the sovereign response before the approval 
last November 17th of a Resolution of the UN General Assembly's Social 
Humanitarian Affairs Commission, eliminating refuting the sanctions 
that the US had imposed against the island at the then-UN Human Rights 
Commission. The United Nations recognized the reason and justice of the 
arguments that, without any concessions, Cuba defended for years while 
confronting the politicized, selective and discriminatory actions of 
the White House in Geneva.

It is, without a doubt, a victory for the Cuban people in its
resistance to manipulation for 20 years and a reaffirmation of the
growing international isolation of the US government in its anti-Cuba
policy. This is taking place precisely when Washington is attempting to 
reinforce its efforts to recruit other countries in its attempts to 
destroy the Revolution. This is a reflection of new times that rule the 
recently created UN Human Rights Council, which excluded Washington's 
aspirations to become a member of the new institution, while Cuba was 
elected a member with over two-thirds of the votes of UN member 
nations.  It is not difficult to imagine how much pain George W. Bush
and Condoleezza Rice, as designers and executors of the policy
against Cuba, must have felt over Cuba's growing recognition as a
result of its active and constructive participation in discussions of
the institution and the defense of the legitimate interests of the
Third World. 

It is evident that times have changed.  It is particularly
significant that outside Havana, in its position as President of the
Non-Aligned Movement, the resolution presented was approved by 168 
votes with only 7 against. This victory was achieved only a few weeks
after the UN General Assembly vote approved with a record count of 184
votes in favor of Cuba's Resolution demanding an end to the economic,
commercial and financial blockade imposed by the US against the island.
It is a reward for the tireless battle for the truth against lies;  of
transparency over manipulation; of freedom against pressures and
blackmail.

Despite the evidence, no one should think this is the end of the 
battle.  The White House will not stop in its attempts to continue 
manipulating the issue, with the objective of justifying its economic 
war and aggression against the island, although right now they are 
still suffering defeat.