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Experts dismayed by decision to reinstate Cuba as State Sponsor of Terrorism
GENEVA – A group of independent human rights experts* today voiced serious concerns regarding the U.S. government’s decision to reinstate Cuba as a State Sponsor of Terrorism (SSOT) right after the inauguration of the new U.S. president, just a few days following its removal from this list by the previous administration.
“We deeply regret this recent decision, which represents a regressive step not only for bilateral relations between these two countries, but, more importantly, for the human rights and well-being of the people in Cuba. This decision has the most devastating impact on vulnerable groups, including women, children, older adults, and individuals with disabilities.”
The experts referred to earlier communications and statements, highlighting that the designation of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism since 2021 has led to a significant increase in economic, trade, and financial restrictions, especially given the current context of the country’s ongoing economic and humanitarian crisis.
Cuba’s designation has reportedly deepened the country’s isolation, heightened uncertainty and fear among stakeholders maintaining relations with the country, and has weakened national efforts to address the cumulative adverse effects of both the long-standing U.S. embargo and the serious disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters.
The decision is viewed as yet another act of unilateral coercion that contradicts all UN resolutions emphasizing the illegality of unilateral coercive measures and their severe adverse effects on human rights and humanitarian conditions. It also challenges the overwhelmingly approved annual UN resolution on the “Necessity of ending the economic, commercial, and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba” and sends a clear message regarding the future U.S. Government’s position on this matter.
Cuba revealed during the recent discussion of this resolution that the total damage to the country from the embargo amounts to $1.499 trillion, based on the value of the United States dollar against the gold price. Over the past 18 years, Cuba has reportedly suffered losses of $252 trillion.
“Food insecurity has emerged as a significant concern due to inflationary pressures, rising food prices, a decline in agricultural production caused by fuel shortages, restrictions on imports of agricultural machinery, spare parts, fertilizers, animal feed, and other agricultural inputs,” the experts stated.
They recalled that designating states as SSOT contradicted fundamental principles of international law, serving as a unilateral act lacking authorization from the UN Security Council, which has direct and indirect adverse impacts on human rights in countries listed as SSOT.
“We urge the U.S. government to refrain from actions that undermine multilateralism and the UN Charter, to stop the practice of SSOT designations, and to fully comply with its international human rights obligations, including extraterritorially,” the experts stated.
“We reiterate our call for Cuba’s removal from the SSOT list and the end of all unilateral coercive measures against the country, including the 63-year-old U.S. embargo,” they stated.
