OREANDA-NEWS. US sanctions against Cuba, which hinder the procurement of drugs, medical equipment, and food in a coronavirus pandemic, should be lifted. This call was made on Thursday to the United States by UN human rights experts.

"We urge the United States to abolish measures aimed at creating trade barriers, as well as barriers, quotas and non-tariff measures, including those that impede the financing of purchases of medicines, medical equipment, food and basic necessities", the joint statement signed seven special rapporteurs of the UN Human Rights Council.

They recalled that the United States has ignored repeated calls for lifting sanctions "undermining the ability of Cuba and other countries to respond effectively to a pandemic and save lives". According to experts, "in a pandemic emergency, a lack of desire on the part of the US government to suspend sanctions" could exacerbate the "enormous physical and psychological suffering" of the pandemic-affected people.

As emphasized in the statement, the US embargo against Cuba and sanctions against other countries "seriously undermine international cooperation in the fight against the pandemic".