UN human rights leader calls for Cuba sanctions to be ‘lifted immediately’

Volker Turk, the UN's high commissioner for human rights, called for the immediate lifting of sanctions against Cuba on March 11, 2024, stating that "children are dying" as a consequence of the US oil blockade. Turk's statement, made during a press conference in Havana, highlighted the severe impact of the economic restrictions on the Cuban population, particularly its most vulnerable members. He emphasized that the sanctions contribute to shortages of essential goods, including medicine and food, thereby exacerbating public health crises. The commissioner's visit to Cuba, which concluded on March 12, 2024, aimed to assess the human rights situation on the island. Turk urged the United States to reconsider its long-standing embargo, arguing that it violates international human rights law and hinders Cuba's development. He also addressed concerns about freedom of expression and assembly within Cuba, encouraging dialogue between the government and civil society.