Cuba’s Permanent Representative to the Human Rights Council (HRC), Rodolfo Benítez, denounced on Thursday the hypocrisy of the Czech Republic, which ignores the Palestinian genocide committed by Israel and also supports the criminal blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba.
During an address to the plenary session of the 63rd HRC meeting, the diplomat — to illustrate the Czech attitude — referred to Molière’s play *Tartuffe*, which he described as an undoubted masterpiece of satire on hypocrisy.
The comedy’s main character is Tartuffe, an impostor who presents himself to everyone as a person of great moral values. Yet, there is a vast gap between what Tartuffe preaches and how he actually behaves, the diplomat emphasized.
“The Czech Republic’s intervention reminded me of Tartuffe, who — claiming a moral authority no one has granted him — comes to this chamber to pass judgment on others,” the Cuban ambassador declared.
“How dare they, given the well-known policies of systemic discrimination applied in their country against minorities? Roma children suffer segregation in schools,” Benítez denounced.
The European Committee of Social Rights has reported that the Czech Republic denies vulnerable groups access to housing and social benefits, and that migrants fall victim to xenophobia and intolerance, the Cuban official noted.
“Czech representatives should show more modesty and practice self-criticism. Before evaluating others, they should address the serious human rights violations within their own country.”
“We have not forgotten the Czech Republic’s shameful conduct in shielding the impunity with which Israel has committed its atrocities in Gaza and other occupied territories,” the diplomat argued. They have opposed every resolution aimed at providing even minimal protection for the lives and human rights of the Palestinian people.
“The Czech Republic, alongside the United States and Israel, is spearheading an unacceptable campaign of attacks and pressure against the Special Rapporteur for the Occupied Territories in an attempt to silence her. We demand respect for the autonomy of the independent experts appointed by this Council.”
“They feign concern for human rights in Cuba yet have not uttered a single word regarding the criminal blockade imposed by the United States. That collective punishment kills our women, children, and elderly, and flagrantly violates the human rights of the Cuban people,” the ambassador underscored.
“Prague follows the State Department’s instructions to the letter and maintains absolute silence on this matter. Its priority is obedience to Washington, not human rights,” he noted.
“Cuba does not interfere in the internal affairs of any country, nor does it seek to lecture anyone. However, neither will we remain silent in the face of hypocrisy.”
[ SOURCE: PRENSA LATINA ]
