UN Special Rapporteur Visits Cuban Elementary School

Alena Douhan, special rapporteur of the Human Rights Council on the Negative Repercussions of Unilateral Coercive Measures on the Enjoyment of Human Rights toured the Havana-based “Solidarity with Panama” elementary school as part of her academic visit to the island.

School principal Esther Maria La O Ochoa briefed the visitor about the role of her institution, first of its kind in Cuba and opened 34 years ago by the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution Fidel Castro.

The school has a 225-student registration, with 89 students needing wheel chairs, which among other items Cuba cannot purchase due to US sanctions.

Deputy Education Minister Cira Pinero said that the impact by the US policy make it impossible for Cuba to get prostheses, electric chairs and other important resources for local special education.

However, she said that the school works keep innovating to meet the school role of preparing physically challenge children to live on equal grounds with others in Cuban society.

Douha, who arrived here at the invitation of the University of Havana, wrote her message on the school records book—“My most sincere admiration for the teachers and children who have made this miracle possible.”

The visitor is taking part at Thursday’s academic forum on the impact by the unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights in Cuba, which was organized by the University of Havana.