Explanation of vote (after the vote) by Sri Lanka at the UNGA Session on
draft resolution L. 5 “Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed
by the United States of America Against Cuba”

1st November 2023

Mr. President

Sri Lanka voted in favor of the draft resolution A/78/L.5 entitled "Necessity of ending the economic, commercial, and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba."

In keeping with past practice, this assembly adopted with an overwhelming majority the call to lift the blockade against Cuba. It is not difficult to discern the rationale. A cursory perusal of the UN Secretary-General's Report A/78/84 provides the answers. For 30 years the UN General Assembly has been calling for an end to the economic embargo the United States has imposed on Cuba, since 1962. If sanctions have only created hardships and collective suffering to a population, what justification can there be to continue a policy of repression?

It is said that unilateral coercive sanctions can have unintended consequences and negative humanitarian impacts. As clearly seen in the Cuban scenario unilateral coercive sanctions, harm the civilian population more than the intended targets, leading to increased poverty, unemployment, and a lack of access to essential goods and services. It is also said that sanctions can undermine diplomatic efforts and hinder dialogue making it more difficult find peaceful resolutions to conflict.

Mr. President

Unilateral sanctions and secondary sanctions aimed at universalizing the sanctions regime have been the most difficult aspects of any sanctions regime aimed at elevating such sanctions to one of collective sanctions. Unilateral sanctions can never achieve the same status as collective sanctions without exaggerated claims to jurisdiction. It is a fact that countries perceive the implications of sanctions regimes differently from one another. If one looks at the bigger picture carefully, unilateral sanctions have not had their desired effect. It is therefore time to re-examine the continuation of the sanctions against Cuba and withdraw them.

We call on those concerned to lift the imposition of unilateral coercive measures that are not authorized by relevant organs of the United Nations and are inconsistent with the principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations. My delegation is of the considered view that the potential drawbacks of these sanctions outweigh the intended objectives. It must also be observed that the targeted entities find ways to circumvent the sanctions, or find alternative allies, which renders nugatory the very purpose of imposing such sanctions

Mr. President.

We must also remind ourselves of the fact that the imposition of unilateral coercive sanctions have been of little help and relatively ineffective in maintaining a conducive global order, improving the respect for human rights, and preventing the escalation of conflicts globally. The continued sanctions on Cuba against this backdrop appears misplaced and irrational. It is therefore time to revisit the continuation of the sanctions against Cuba with a view to their withdrawal.

Thank you

Link to the video : https://youtu.be/O_AUcCJAPOU