Speech

44th Universal Periodic Review of human rights: UK statement on Cuba

The UK 's Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley, made a statement during Cuba's Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council on 15 November 2023.

• From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Simon Manley CMG
• Published: 19 December 2023

This was published under the 2022 to 2024 Sunak Conservative government

• Location: Geneva
• Delivered on: 15 November 2023 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

Thank you, Mr. President. 

We remain concerned by the severe penalties handed down to pro-democracy and human rights campaigners.  

We welcome, however, the steps taken by Cuba to legalise same-sex marriage. The growing participation of women in political and economic life is also positive, but we regret the lack of initiatives to address gender-based violence. 

So, we recommend that Cuba: 

1. Ensures the right to a fair trial through adherence to the UN Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary. 

2. Amends the provisions of its 2022 Penal Code to prevent its use to restrict freedom of expression and assembly. 

3. Establishes femicide as a separate offence in its Penal Code. 

Thank you.

Published 19 December 2023