NUM calls for lifting US embargo against Cuba

Press statement, 26 October 2018

NUM calls for lifting US embargo against Cuba

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) calls for the lifting of US embargo against Cuba that has been going on for more than 60 years. The economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States of America against Cuba for almost six decades is evil, deplorable, unjust, severe and extended system of unilateral sanctions ever applied against any country.

The blockade constitutes a massive, flagrant and systematic violation of the human rights of all the Cuban people and it qualifies as an act of genocide by virtue of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide of 1948. It violates the United Nations Charter and international law and constitutes an obstacle for international cooperation.

The NUM join the universal demand in support of the resolution necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba, which will be voted on by the General Assembly of the United Nations on October 31st.

From April of 2017 up to March of 2018, the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the US government against Cuba has been intensified and applied with strict rigor.

This policy continues to be the principal obstacle to the growth of the Cuban economy and to the full enjoyment of all the human rights of the people of Cuba, constituting a serious challenge for the implementation of Agenda 2030 and its Sustainable Development Goals.

President Donald Trump’s adoption of the Presidential Memorandum entitled “Strengthening the Policy of the United States towards Cuba” on 16 June 2017, which among its aims renewed the intensification of the blockade against the Island, represents a serious setback to bilateral relations with Cuba.

The Regulations and provisions issued in November of 2017 by the Departments of the Treasury, State, and Commerce of the United States have imposed additional obstacles on the limited opportunities for the US business community in Cuba and they have restricted, even more, the right of Americans to travel to the Island.

The new sanctions against Cuba have caused a visible decrease in visits coming from the US and they have generated greater obstacles for the economic and trade relations of Cuban companies with potential American and third country partners. These measures not only affect the Cuban State economy but they also affect the Cuban private sector.

The NUM calls on the US to end the unilateral and unconditional manner, the unfair blockade which for almost 60 years has imposed suffering on the Cuban people.

For more information, please contact:

Livhuwani Mammburu: NUM National Spokesperson: 083 809 3257

The National Union of Mineworkers
7 Rissik Street.
Cnr Frederick Johannesburg
Tel: 011 377 2111 Cell: 083 809 3257
Twitter: @Num_Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/NUM/100860023402167