Cuba Signs Treaties Everybody Else Signed in 1966
better late than never, i guess
forty two years late, Cuba gets around to signing two important 1966 treaties on human rights (the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which includes the right to freedom of association in trade unions or political parties and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which deals with matters like the rights to employment and health care).
under King Fidel, Cuba steadfastly refused to sign these treaties, refusing to let the UN oversee its treatment of dissidents and prisoners of conscience.
despite signature, the treaties are not yet legally binding on Cuba. Cuba has to ratify them internally before they become binding. it will be interesting to see how long it takes Cuba to get around to taking this second and critical step.
additionally, Cuba has not indicated whether it will approve an optional protocol which would allow Cuban citizens to complain directly to the UN. it will be interesting to see if King Raul allows this protocol.
as to what this (belated) signing means, alas, it was in the works long ago, and it was done with the full approval of King Fidel before he stepped down. (in December of 2007, Cuba announced its intention to sign the two agreements, saying Cuba would allow scrutiny by the recently established UN Human Rights Council in 2009).
as such, it is not a true signal of King Raul's new direction, but rather a PR move planned ahead of the transition and calculated to generate good will for the new dictator.
we will know King Raul is serious when the treaty is ratified by Cuba and becomes binding. right now, all we have are pretty words on a piece of paper.
another thing to keep in mind: Cuba is one of a minority of members of the Organisation of American States (OAS) that hasn't yet signed the American Convention on Human Rights.
Cuba must sign and ratify these treaties. Cuba must be monitored internationally for human rights violations. human rights violations in Cuba must cease.
the free ride Cuba has gotten from supporters worldwide (who will downplay Cuba's human rights violation record because they like its anti-U.S. stance) must step up to the plate and force King Raul into the 21st Century.
Sources:
BBC
Radio Netherlands
forty two years late, Cuba gets around to signing two important 1966 treaties on human rights (the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which includes the right to freedom of association in trade unions or political parties and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which deals with matters like the rights to employment and health care).
under King Fidel, Cuba steadfastly refused to sign these treaties, refusing to let the UN oversee its treatment of dissidents and prisoners of conscience.
despite signature, the treaties are not yet legally binding on Cuba. Cuba has to ratify them internally before they become binding. it will be interesting to see how long it takes Cuba to get around to taking this second and critical step.
additionally, Cuba has not indicated whether it will approve an optional protocol which would allow Cuban citizens to complain directly to the UN. it will be interesting to see if King Raul allows this protocol.
as to what this (belated) signing means, alas, it was in the works long ago, and it was done with the full approval of King Fidel before he stepped down. (in December of 2007, Cuba announced its intention to sign the two agreements, saying Cuba would allow scrutiny by the recently established UN Human Rights Council in 2009).
as such, it is not a true signal of King Raul's new direction, but rather a PR move planned ahead of the transition and calculated to generate good will for the new dictator.
we will know King Raul is serious when the treaty is ratified by Cuba and becomes binding. right now, all we have are pretty words on a piece of paper.
another thing to keep in mind: Cuba is one of a minority of members of the Organisation of American States (OAS) that hasn't yet signed the American Convention on Human Rights.
Cuba must sign and ratify these treaties. Cuba must be monitored internationally for human rights violations. human rights violations in Cuba must cease.
the free ride Cuba has gotten from supporters worldwide (who will downplay Cuba's human rights violation record because they like its anti-U.S. stance) must step up to the plate and force King Raul into the 21st Century.
Sources:
BBC
Radio Netherlands
posted by Yimboro | 8:57 AM
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