United States: Experts dismayed by decision to reinstate Cuba as State Sponsor of Terrorism, call for lifting of unilateral coercive measure
Press releases
Special Procedures
07 February 2025
GENEVA -- A group of independent human rights experts* today expressed serious concerns about the U.S. Government decision to reinstate Cuba as a State Sponsor of Terrorism (SSOT) immediately after the inauguration of the new U.S. President, and a few days after its removal from this list by the previous administration.
"We deeply regret this recent decision, which constitutes a regressive step not only for bilateral relations between these two countries, but most importantly for the human rights and well-being of the people in Cuba, with the most devasting impact on vulnerable groups, including women, children, older persons, and persons with disabilities."
The experts referred to previous communications and statements noting that the designation since 2021 of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism has resulted in a significant expansion of economic, trade and financial restrictions, particularly in the current context of the country's prolonged economic and humanitarian crisis.
"Cuba's designation has reportedly deepened the country's isolation, exacerbated uncertainty and fear for any stakeholder maintaining relations with the country, and has undermined national efforts to respond to the cumulative adverse effects of both the long-standing U.S. embargo, and the serious disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters."
The decision is seen as another act of unilateral coercion which goes against all the UN resolutions stressing the illegality of unilateral coercive measures and their serious adverse human rights and humanitarian impact. It also defies the overwhelmingly adopted annual UN resolution on the "Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba", and conveys a clear message on the future U.S. Government's stance on this issue.
"As it was revealed by Cuba during the recent discussion of this resolution, total damage to the country from the embargo amounts to $1.499 trillion, considering the United States dollar value against the gold price. In the past 18 years, Cuba has reportedly lost $252 trillion.
"Food insecurity has become a major concern due to inflationary pressures, rising food prices, decrease in agricultural production due to fuel shortages, restrictions on imports of agricultural machinery, spare parts, fertilisers, animal feed and other agricultural input," the experts said.
They recalled that the qualification of states as SSOT was contrary to fundamental principles of international law, being a unilateral act without authorisation of the UN Security Council with direct and indirect adverse human rights impact in SSOT listed countries.
"We urge the U.S. Government to refrain from acts that undermine multilateralism and the UN Charter, to cease the practice of SSOT designations and fully comply with its international human rights obligations, including extraterritorially," the experts said.
"We reiterate our call for the removal of Cuba from the SSOT list and for the termination of all unilateral coercive measures against the country, including the 63-year-old U.S. embargo," they said.
*The experts: Alena Douhan, Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of the unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights; George Katrougalos, Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order; Attiya Waris, Independent Expert on foreign debt, other international financial obligations and human rights; Reem Alsalem, Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, its causes and consequences
Special Rapporteurs/Independent Experts/Working Groups are independent human rights experts appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council. Together, these experts are referred to as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. While the UN Human Rights office acts as the secretariat for Special Procedures, the experts serve in their individual capacity and are independent from any government or organization, including OHCHR and the UN. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the UN or OHCHR.
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