Your Excellency,

As representatives of organizations of Cuba’s civil society that defend human rights, we call on U.N. Member States to uphold Resolution 60/251, which established the United Nations’ Human Rights Council. It stipulates that its members should be elected among states that “uphold the highest standards in the promotion and protection of human rights.”

In 2006 Cuba was elected to the Council for a three-year term in representation of our region. This afforded the Cuban government a unique opportunity to adopt practices guaranteeing fundamental freedoms in our own country. Despite its commitments to that effect, Cuba’s leadership continues to deny the citizens the exercise of their fundamental rights and Cuban authorities continue to unleash all sorts of abuses against those who attempt to uphold them.

The Cuban regime prevails due to its repressive power, in open contradiction with the principles that inspired the creation of the Human Rights’ Council and are purported to guide its mandate. Cuba’s laws deny citizens basic civil, political, and economic rights and impose strict restrictions on freedom of expression, association, assembly, press, movement, work, private property, and access to the means of production.

The Cuban Constitution robs the people of the right to self-determination by forbidding all political parties and groups other than the Communist Party and its affiliates and by stipulating as the exclusive goal of the state the construction of socialism and the progression towards a communist society. Article 53 of the Constitution gives the state absolute control over information, allowing the citizens free press and free speech only if “consistent with the goals of the socialist society.” It stipulates that the means of mass communication can only be owned and controlled by the state and may never be in private hands. In addition, it justifies strict restrictions on the internet.

Cuba’s Criminal Code prescribes long prison terms for such “legal” absurdities as enemy propaganda, disrespect, “dangerousness” or the propensity to commit a crime, illicit association, failure to denounce others, and the broadly defined “other acts against state security,” all with the intent of silencing any dissent against the impending order. Attempts to leave the country without government permission are considered “illegal exit,” which is penalized with years of prison and has brought on countless extrajudicial executions by authorities, including that of many children. Peaceful opponents, health professionals, and the children of exiled parents are regularly denied the right to travel out of the country. Movement of people within the island is also controlled, with the state imposing stiff fines for violating regulations regarding the designated place of residence.

Under the described de facto legality, all acts of opposition are repressed and punished with long years of confinement, repeated arbitrary detentions of short duration, harassment, removal from homes and work, forced exile, and even violent attacks against human rights’ defenders in their homes.

Presently, at least 205 political prisoners are serving long prison sentences. These are human rights activists, independent journalists, economists, and doctors deprived of their freedom merely for expressing their opinions, meeting to exchange ideas, or reporting on the situation inside the country. In addition, many thousands of citizens serve jail for alleged “economic crimes,” having been forced to turn to the black market by a rationing system that cannot guarantee basic sustenance. In hundreds of prisons and detention centers all over the island, defenseless citizens suffer inhumane conditions that are so dire as to be life threatening. Dozens of death from malnourishment, denial of medical care, and suicide are reported each year.

Since Cuba’s Constitution subordinates the judicial system to the National Assembly and the Council of State, it lacks independence or impartiality and regularly deprives citizens of due process, as internationally recognized. Impunity prevails for the decades-long excesses committed by authorities.

For all of the above, the Cuban state systematically violates most rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and does not meet minimum requirements for membership in the United Nations’ Council of Human Rights. Cuba’s re-election to a second term would endorse its anti-democratic practices and consistent violation of its citizens’ liberties. Moreover, granting membership to states in flagrant contradiction with the principles and goals of the Council, robs it of credibility that is vital to its authority and effectiveness.

We strongly urge your government to deny this false legitimacy to the repressive Cuban regime by not endorsing its candidacy and election to the Council in representation of Latin America and the Caribbean. The Cuban people, from which true sovereignty derives, demand their fundamental freedoms and, at this important juncture in history, call for the support of the international community.

With assurances of our highest respect,