House Approves Motion Calling For Removal of Cuban Embargo

KINGSTON — The House of Representatives has given its sound approval for a Motion in support of the removal of the economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba by the United Sates.

The Motion also advocates dialogue between both Governments, as Jamaica prepares to put forward its position on the matter, on October 25, at the United Nations (UN)General Assembly, when it is anticipated that Cuba will submit for the consideration of the General Assembly, a draft Resolution entitled – ‘Necessity of Ending the Economic, Financial and Commercial Blockade Imposed by the United States of America Against Cuba’.

This will be the 20th consecutive time that Cuba will be presenting this Resolution at the Assembly.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, and Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Dr. Kenneth Baugh, noted that last year 187 member states voted in favour of the Resolution, which he said is “irrefutable proof that the battle for the lifting of the blockade has the recognition and support of the vast majority of the international community."

Dr. Baugh was speaking on the private member’s motion, which was brought to the House by Member of Parliament for Western St. Andrew, Anthony Hylton, at Tuesday’s (October 18) sitting, at the Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown Kingston.

The Minister pointed out that the 49 year-old blockade has been further intensified despite repeated and almost unanimous demand by the international community, particularly the UN General Assembly, for its elimination.       

He said despite the measures taken by US President, Barrack Obama, on travel and remittances by Cuban immigrants, this did not change the complex framework of laws, regulations and provisions of the blockade policy.

Therefore, he noted that Cuba continues to be unable to freely export or import  goods and services to, and from the US, or use US dollars in its international financial transactions.           

Dr. Baugh said that the blockade continues to be “an absurd, illegal and morally unsustainable policy that has not succeeded and is not likely to succeed in fulfilling the purpose of breaking the political will of the people to preserve its sovereignty, independence and right to self determination,” and serves only as one of the main hindrances to Cuba’s economic and social development.

Mr. Hylton’s Resolution emphasised that, “the blockade is a violation of international law, and is contrary to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and to the norms governing international trade and freedom of navigation, as well as constituting a transgression on the right to peace, development, and security of a sovereign state."

“It continues to be an act of unilateral aggression and a permanent threat against stability of a member country of the UN,” it adds.

In attendance at the House was the Cuban Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency Yuri Gala Lopez.

By Alphea Saunders, JIS Reporter