Brasília, April 19, 2004 (Agência Brasil) - Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay decided to abstain in a vote in the United Nations Human Rights Commission on a proposed resolution about the human rights situation in Cuba. The proposed resolution determines the severing of diplomatic relations with Cuba, because it considers that the dictatorial regime violates human rights in that country.

At the conclusion of voting in the Commission, the three countries presented a joint declaration in which they explain their abstention, on the grounds that the resolution makes no genuine contribution to improving the human rights situation in Cuba.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Relations (Itamaraty), Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay reaffirm the importance of all States' guaranteeing the full exercise of all human rights, as much in economic, social, and cultural spheres as in the civic and political arena, in accordance with the committment assumed in the 1993 Vienna Declaration in favor of the universality, interdependence, and indivisibility of human rights.

According to the note released on Friday (16) by the Itamaraty, the Brazilian delegation presented the following position to the Commission: "We can only lament the fact that aspects and issues unrelated to the promotion of human rights are constantly interfering with the process of negotiating resolutions. We should concentrate our efforts and resources to assure the credibility of the commission. In this sense Brazil is ready to consider alternatives to the manner in which the theme of promoting human rights has been treated. Brazil hopes that all developing and developed countries will demonstrate political will and openness to work in this direction. We are convinced that a United Nations global report on human rights could contribute positively to reclaim the original spirit of this commission."

Translator: David Silberstein