SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON USE OF MERCENARIES VISITS CUBA

HR/99/88
15 September 1999




The Special Rapporteur on the question of the use of mercenaries, Enrique Bernales Ballesteros, is in Cuba at the invitation of the Government. During the mission, which began last Sunday and is set to last until 18 September 1999, the Special Rapporteur intends to collect first-hand information in order to evaluate allegations of mercenary activities against Cuba.

In previous reports to the General Assembly and the Commission on Human Rights, the Special Rapporteur has drawn attention to information, including from the Government, on mercenary attacks on Cuba dating as far as "the earliest days following the victory of the revolution" (see document A/52/495). The Special Rapporteur has cited communications he has received concerning various groups involving Cuban nationals residing in southern Florida. He has reported that in September 1997, foreign nationals committed criminal acts in Havana which resulted in the death of an Italian citizen and in material damage to hotel facilities.

During this visit the Special Rapporteur also intends to discuss with senior Cuban Government officials and Cuban academics and experts what he has called in his reports "the gaps, conflicting requirements and deficiencies of wording of the international legislation regarding mercenaries".

The United Nations Commission on Human Rights in 1987 created the post of Special Rapporteur on the question of the use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the right of peoples to self-determination. Mr. Bernales Ballesteros, a political scientist, lawyer and former Peruvian Senator, has served as Special Rapporteur since his appointment at that time.