Regular Press Briefing
US-Cuba relations

December 19, 2014
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Asked to comment about the normalization of the US-Cuban relations and the impact it may have on Cuba's ratification of human rights treaties, Mr. Colville said that the OHCHR was very happy about the improvement of the relations between the two countries. OHCHR was very particularly glad about the release of three members of the so-called Cuban Five and Alan Gross. The Working Group on Arbitrary Detention had qualified both cases as arbitrary. The previous High Commissioner Pillay and the Deputy High Commissioner had met with the spouses of the Cuban Five and discussed the issue with the United States. OHCHR was hoping that the latest developments would also have a beneficial effect on human rights, including ratification and implementation of international human rights treaties. 

Answering to a question on whether the normalization of relations between the US and Cuba could encourage Cuban authorities to be even more repressive, Mr. Colville stated that he did not see why that should be the case. Clearly, the blockade against Cuba had affected the average Cuban in a significant way for many years. Unblocking of the situation could only be helpful and open the room for a dialogue and discussing a wide range of issues. 

On whether the OHCHR and the Human Rights Council had any sway over Cuban authorities, Mr. Colville said that he believed that all Governments listened to what the OHCHR was saying, but not necessarily did they always like what they heard, and there were sometimes complaints and criticisms. He hoped that the normalization could unblock things at many levels, including in Geneva, which would be welcomed.