Washington, April 1 (IANS) The US and Cuba met here on Tuesday to discuss the issue of human rights, with both sides voicing readiness to cover “a wide range of topics” in “substantive” talks that are to follow.
The US state department described the atmosphere of the meeting as “professional”, saying that the US and Cuban delegations discussed the “methodology, topics and structure” of a future human rights dialogue, according to a Xinhua report.
“Each side raised concerns about human rights issues, and both sides expressed willingness to discuss a wide range of topics in future substantive talks,” the department said in a statement.
“There was broad agreement on the way forward for a future substantive dialogue, the timing and location of which will be determined through diplomatic channels,” the department added.
One of the members of the Cuban delegation, Havana’s ambassador to Geneva, Anayansi Rodriguez Camejo, said that the talks “unfolded” as expected by the Cuban government, “in an atmosphere of professionalism and respect, on a reciprocal basis, without discrimination of any kind”, Spanish news agency Efe reported.
“The methodological bases were discussed for eventual future rounds of talks on the issue of human rights between the two countries, and substantive issues that would be of interest to both parties… were brought up,” said Rodriguez in a message published on the Cuban foreign ministry’s YouTube account.
According to Rodriguez, “it was obvious that differences… existed on how to handle the issue… and how human rights are protected and promoted in our respective countries, as well as treatment of the issue internationally, in the multilateral forums that handle these matters”.
Human rights remain one of the most delicate issues as Washington and Havana are seeking a normalisation of ties. The two sides have held three rounds of dialogue since January on restoring diplomatic relations and reopening embassies.
The US has not hidden its differences with Cuba on the subject, especially regarding the treatment of dissidents on the communist island, and that issue is said to be the greatest obstacle in the negotiations to normalise diplomatic relations that were broken off in 1961.
