According to Prensa Latina news agency, the Cuban Ambassador to this
body of the United Nations (UN), Juan Antonio Fernandez, introduced the
topic during an interactive discussion with the UN Special Rapporteurs
on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers and on Freedom of Opinion and
Expression.

The Cuban diplomat congratulated the Rapporteur on the Independence of
Judges and Lawyers for taking into account the necessary parameters to
guarantee the independence of magistrates.

However, he stressed that Cuba believes it would have been important to
include the analysis of the impact that factors such as media
manipulation, a prejudiced community and a biased venue can have upon
the impartial conduct of judges.

Fernandez explained that these factors, along with a vindictive attitude
by the US Government, are present in the case of Gerardo Hernandez,
Antonio Guerrero, Rene Gonzalez, Ramon Labañino and Fernando Gonzalez –
internationally known as the Cuban Five – who were arrested in Miami in
1998 for infiltrating anti-Cuba extremist groups that were planning and
carrying out terrorist actions against the Caribbean nation.

The Cuban official recalled that the detention of the Cuban Five was
declared arbitrary by the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention in
2005.

“Almost eleven years after their unjust imprisonment, the Cuban Five are
still giving the world an example of unyielding resistance and faith in
justice,” the diplomat added.

As to the report regarding freedom of opinion and expression, the Cuban
ambassador warned the audience about the relationship of the Rapporteur
with certain regional mechanisms and other institutions of dubious
reputation such as the Inter American Press Association.

Source
Cuban Agency News
La Agencia Cubana de Noticias (ACN) es una división de la Agencia de Información Nacional (AIN) de Cuba fundada el 21 de mayo de 1974.

Cuban News Agency