In her address to the 63rd regular session of the Human Rights Council—which is meeting in this city until October 7—Bonet noted that Washington’s economic and financial blockade affects artistic creation, free arts education, cultural programming, and heritage preservation.

The leader recalled that the Human Rights Council itself and the Special Rapporteur on Unilateral Coercive Measures have identified the blockade as the primary cause of suffering for the Cuban people.

She added that the right to keep up cultural and academic exchanges with Americans is denied, and the natural development of the Caribbean island’s artistic industry is hindered, the organization stated on social media.

Bonet—whose organization brings together nearly eight thousand creators across various generations and styles—further emphasized that universal, free access to education and culture are rights the Cuban people have enjoyed since the 1959 revolutionary victory.

In her remarks, she stated that culture must remain the heritage of the people.

She demanded an end to the blockade and the energy embargo, and asserted the right of Cuban artists to freedom of creation and to life.

Concurrently with this statement, UNEAC First Vice President Magda Resik and Cuba’s Ambassador to Hungary, Teresita Vicente, are holding working meetings in Budapest with officials from the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Parliament.

There, they discussed collaboration projects in culture, academia, sports, and science, as well as the situation regarding the blockade and new Cuban economic measures.

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