The American Association of Jurists (AAJ) demanded the exclusion of Cuba from a US list of alleged sponsors of terrorism and an end to the economic, commercial and financial blockade that Washington maintains against the island.

In a communiqué, the AAJ urged the US government to eliminate this siege and all unilateral coercive measures, which violate international norms and human rights.

It also expressed the urgent and immediate need to remove Cuba from this list, which it considered contrary to the fundamental principles and peremptory norms of law.

The AAJ denounces this hostile action and demands the total and immediate removal of Cuba’s designation as a country that promotes terrorism. Once again, this unilateral action violates the United Nations (UN) Charter, whose precepts include «respect for the principle of equality and self-determination of peoples», the text states.

It also violates UN General Assembly resolutions that, with overwhelming majority approval, call for an end to the blockade. The list is contrary to the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, it adds.

The AAJ considers that «this arbitrary decision aims to maintain in force and intensify the application of the unjust and inhuman siege, as well as coercive measures, to deprive the Cuban people of their right to self-determination, their political, civil, economic, social, cultural and development rights».

The blockade and other actions cause serious damage to the island’s economy in all its aspects, including infrastructure, industry, energy sources, finance and agriculture. It has dire consequences for the population, which suffers in terms of health, food and other basic needs, he said.