U.S. Criticizes Cuba, Belarus and China :: Charter'97 :: News

The United States has filed a new resolution at the U.N. Human Rights Commission criticizing record on abuses of Belarus, China and Cuba. Washington criticizes human rights violations in Belarus, as abductions of people and summary executions (execution without a fair trail or based on a quick and unsatisfactory administrative proceedings) of political opponents of the existing regime are taking place there. A serious concern over disappearances of Belarusian opposition members is expressed in the document as well. The USA presented their evaluation of the situation in Belarus in a separate resolution. It has been prepared in cooperation with the European Union.

Keeping up its pressure on Cuba, the United States proposed the renewal of top U.N. investigator Christine Chanet`s mandate to report to the commission on the human rights situation there. The commission, often led by Washington, regularly criticizes Cuba.

In her report to the commission on abuses in Cuba, which Chanet presented last month, she noted the government`s release of 18 political prisoners last year was a positive step, but did "not signify the end of the repression" because other political detainees were still jailed.

Chanet urged Cuba to improve its treatment of political prisoners, who often receive poor food, hygiene and medical treatment. She also said Cuba should stop penalizing journalists, academics and activists for acts of free expression.

Chanet`s report said Cuban authorities arrested people in 2004 for expressing anti-government opinions, working with international human rights organizations and participating in associations or academic groups deemed counterrevolutionary.

Cuba has never allowed a U.N. human rights envoy to visit, claiming such visits could infringe on its sovereignty. Chanet prepared her report based on meetings with campaigners, human-rights investigators and other governments.

Washington requested that the commission renew resolutions from previous years condemning Cuba`s human rights record, according to the draft text of the resolution.

In past years the vote has almost always been close. The commission last year narrowly passed a resolution by other Latin American nations critical of Cuba`s rights record. It was adopted 22-21 with 10 abstentions.

Censure by the U.N. watchdog brings no penalties but spotlights a government`s record, and delegations lobby hard in an effort to avoid it.

Cuba has launched a campaign to defend itself, and a Cuban foreign ministry document titled "Cuba and Human Rights," said the United State`s strategy is focused on "fabricating a false perception of an intolerant and rigid society."

Separately, the United States and European Union co-sponsored a resolution condemning abuses in Belarus. It expressed "deep concern" that senior officials have been implicated in the 1999 disappearance or execution of three political opponents.

It singled out one of the three who disappeared, former Interior Minister Yuri Zakharenko. Also missing are Viktor Gonchar, the former vice speaker of the Belarusian parliament, and his friend, the businessman Anatoly Krasovsky.

The resolution noted the disappearance of Russian TV cameraman Dmitry Zavadsky in 2000 and "the continuing investigatory cover-up."

It also cited findings of observers that last year`s elections fell "significantly short" of Belarus` European commitments to allow free and fair voting.

In Belarus, prosecutors said Tuesday they had reopened the investigation into Zavadsky`s disappearance.