Situation of human rights in Cuba, G.A. res. 48/142, 48 U.N. GAOR Supp. (No. 49) at 263, U.N. Doc. A/48/49 (1993).


The General Assembly,

Reaffirming that all Member States have an obligation to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms as stated in the Charter of the United Nations and elaborated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenants on Human Rights and other applicable human rights instruments,

Reaffirming also that all Member States have an obligation to fulfil the commitments they have freely undertaken under the various international instruments,

Taking particular note of Commission on Human Rights resolution 1993/63 of 10 March 1993, in which the Commission recognized with deep appreciation the efforts of the Secretary-General and of the Special Rapporteur to carry out the mandate concerning the situation of human rights in Cuba,

Noting concern about ongoing reports of serious violations of human rights in Cuba, as outlined in the interim report submitted to the General Assembly by the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights,

Recalling the failure of the Government of Cuba to cooperate with the Commission on Human Rights with regard to its resolution 1992/61 of 3 March 1992 5/ by refusing to permit the Special Rapporteur to visit Cuba, and noting its response, as cited in appendix II to the interim report of the Special Rapporteur, in which it states: "we emphatically reject resolution 1992/61 and, accordingly, we cannot cooperate in its implementation in any way",

1. Commends the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights for his interim report;

2. Expresses its full support for the work of the Special Rapporteur;

3. Calls upon the Government of Cuba to cooperate fully with the Special Rapporteur by permitting him full and free access to establish contact with the Government and the citizens of Cuba so that he may fulfil the mandate entrusted to him;

4. Regrets profoundly the numerous uncontested reports of violations of basic human rights and fundamental freedoms that are described in the report of the Special Rapporteur to the Commission on Human Rights and in his interim report;

5. Calls upon the Government of Cuba to adopt measures proposed by the Special Rapporteur and ratify international human rights instruments, cease the persecution and punishment of citizens for reasons related to freedom of expression and peaceful association, permit legalization of independent groups, respect guarantees of due process, permit access to the prisons by national independent groups and international humanitarian agencies, review sentences for crimes of a political nature,and cease retaliatory measures towards those seeking permission to leave the country;

6. Decides to continue its consideration of this question at its forty-ninth session.

85th plenary meeting
20 December 1993