Paris: Head of the UN Rights is urging the release of all those detained in Cuban protests and calling for the government to overcome their complaints.
In Friday’s statement, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet called for an investigation into the death of a protester in Havana, a 36-year-old child who died Monday during a clash between demonstrators and police.
“I urge the government to deal with complaints of protesters through dialogue, and to respect and fully protect the right of all individuals for peaceful assembly and freedom of opinion and expression,” said Bachelet, former President Chile.
He expressed concern for widespread arrests.
“It is very worrying that this includes an individual who is suspected of being an investment and the people whose existence is unknown.
All who are detained for carrying out their rights must be released immediately,” he said.
He also called for the sanctions against Cuba, “given their negative impact on human rights, including the right to health.” Cuba in the past few days has seen the biggest protests in a quarter of a century, driven by food shortages, price increases and other complaints.
The police arrested dozens of protesters, sometimes hard, and the government had accused the protesters to loot and damage the shops.
The Cuban government initially blamed social media and the US government to protest, but Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel then recognized the shortcomings in handling the lack of government and ignoring certain sectors.