14 September
The Aotearoa New Zealand Cuba
Friendship Society welcomes the BRICS New Delhi Declaration
which expresses deep concern over the tightening of
unilateral blockade measures against Cuba and calls for
their end in accordance with UN General Assembly Resolution
A/RES/80/4, which 165 member countries supported.
It
is noteworthy that the Cuban situation received a dedicated
paragraph in the declaration, acknowledging the worsening
humanitarian impact of unilateral sanctions. This shows that
major nations of the Global South are paying attention to
Cuba, not only because of the severity of the situation, but
also because it has implications for all nations.
The
declaration reaffirms the character of Latin America and the
Caribbean as a zone of peace, built on mutual respect,
peaceful settlement of disputes and
non-intervention.
BRICS nations condemned unilateral
coercive measures contrary to international law, noting
their far-reaching negative implications for human rights,
including the rights to development, health and food
security.
Cuba Society Co-chair and National
Spokesperson Dr Josephine Varghese welcomed the solidarity
expressed by BRICS nations.
“This is a welcome
development. BRICS nations are rising in global prominence
across economic, cultural, geopolitical and trade sectors,
so their reaffirmation of commitment to international law,
including proposals to reform international bodies to give
greater representation to the Global South, is commendable,”
she said.
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“As a small nation around half the
population size of Cuba, New Zealand should also raise its
voice to uphold a rules-based international order – one
that will protect not only Cuba, but also New Zealand in the
years to come,” Varghese added.
The Society is urging
the New Zealand Government to act on the demands set out in
its founding Statement and Declaration. These
include:
- Continuing to strengthen the
constructive relationship between the New Zealand and Cuban
governments. - Formally recognising the severity of
the humanitarian crisis in Cuba and acting with
urgency; - Sending humanitarian aid, in particular
milk powder, to address acute shortages affecting Cuban
infants; - Exploring areas of collaboration. For
instance, in the health sector, where New Zealand is facing
severe shortages in trained personnel.
We urge
Kiwis to join our efforts by becoming a member. The
membership form can be found via our website https://cubafriendship.org.nz/.
On behalf of the Aotearoa Cuba Friendship
Society,
Gillian Magee and Josephine
Varghese
Co-Chairs
