UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Calls on U.S. to Lift Blockade

 Alena Douhan meets in Havana with Cuban Minister of Foreign Affairs Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla,
November 21, 2025

Alena Douhan, Special Rapporteur of the United Nations Human Rights Council, on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures, made her second visit to Cuba in November 2025, having previously visited in 2023. She had an intensive agenda to gather information in meetings with authorities, academics and specialists from various sectors about the harmful effects of the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States, in place since 1962.

Douhan announced the initial conclusions of her visit to Cuba on November 22. She indicated that the U.S. coercive actions affect all aspects of life in the country and directly harm its citizens, particularly the most vulnerable groups.

She also noted that these actions are particularly damaging amidst the problems Cuba faces due to international crises, the impact of climate events and internal economic difficulties.

Furthermore, she emphasized that Cuba's inclusion on the U.S. State Department's list of alleged state sponsors of terrorism intensifies the harmful consequences.

Douhan directly verified the real impact of the embargo on the human rights of Cubans through her visits and conversations with various sectors of the country's political, social, and economic life, as well as with institutions and projects.

"Such measures limit the State's capacity to develop public policies, violate the rights to food and a dignified life, obstruct academic exchanges, affect the supply of energy, drinking water, and medicines, and violate the right to life in general," she emphasized.

She indicated that the UN Human Rights Council will present its full report in September 2026, in which it will urge the U.S. to end its unilateral policy -- that is "without international legal basis" -- as well as the secondary sanctions and their excessive enforcement.

(With files from Hatuey Project)

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This article was published in

Volume 56 Number 4 - February 13, 2026

Article Link:
https://cpcml.ca/TML2026/Articles/T5600413.HTM

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