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Posted on Sun, Apr. 21, 2002 in
The Miami Herald
The United Nations Human Rights Commission passed a resolution Friday
calling on Cuba's regime to respect the human, civil and political rights of its
people. It was a historic vote that changes the Castro regime's relations with
its Latin American neighbors.
The new hemispheric order promises to put the Cuban police state in proper
perspective. As the region's only totalitarian dictatorship, it must be pressed
into respecting human rights and democratic values.
Latin nations, which for years have abstained from condemning Cuba, for the
first time supported and voted for the resolution. It won approval, 23-21, with
9 abstentions. Sponsored by Uruguay, the measure also asks the U.N. High
Commissioner for Human Rights to send a representative to Cuba to monitor the
regime's efforts.
Cuban ''diplomats'' spared no insult or underhanded tactic in trying to
derail the censure move. The regime labeled as ''Judases'' regional neighbors
that supported the human-rights resolution, and proceeded to denounce nations --
everyone from Mexico and Chile to the countries of Central America -- as they
signed on as cosponsors. Nations of goodwill shouldn't tolerate such barbarity,
in diplomatic relations or abuses of human rights.
Latin America has treated Cuba's repressive regime with kid gloves for
decades. With this vote, regional players finally acknowledged diplomatically
what has long been known: The regional bully has no teeth and should be
disciplined. In a region of democracies, Castro's dictatorship need not be
coddled. | 
