New York, 23 November 2021. The resolution entitled “Unilateral economic measures as a means of political and economic coercion against developing countries”, sponsored by the G-77, was adopted today in the framework of the Second Committee of the United Nations.
The resolution, which recognizes that unilateral coercive economic measures constitute a flagrant violation of the principles of international law and the United Nations Charter, was adopted after a favorable vote of 119 state members, 6 votes against, and 47 abstentions.
Since its thirty-eighth session, the UN General Assembly has been considering this draft resolution, traditionally submitted by the Group of 77.
The resolution adopted establishes that no State may use or encourage the use of unilateral economic, political or any other type of measures to coerce another State in order to obtain from it the subordination of the exercise of its sovereign rights; calls upon the international community to condemn and reject the imposition of such measures and requests the adoption of urgent and effective measures to prevent their application.
Ambassador Yusnier Romero Puentes, Deputy Permanent Representative, who participated on behalf of Cuba, expressed that unilateral coercive measures directly threaten the sovereignty, equality and political independence of States.
The Cuban representative pointed out that these measures are aimed at causing economic and political hardship in the States against which they are applied, without making a real distinction between governments and the civilian population, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable. At the same time, he stated, they violate the principle of non-interference in internal affairs and hinder the efforts of nations in pursuit of development, promotion and full enjoyment of human rights.
Cuba denounced that it has been the victim of the most severe and prolonged system of unilateral coercive measures ever applied against any country. From April 2019 to December 2020 alone, these measures caused damages to our economy amounting to more than 9 billion dollars at current prices.
Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations
