March 2, 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Institute on Religion and Public Policy commends Cuba for signing two important human rights covenants, but cautions that much more needs to be done to improve the country's overall human rights record.

Cuba's new president, Raul Castro, signed the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights on Feb. 28.

"Cuba has taken an important step by recognizing the importance of joining the international community by ratifying these important human rights treaties," said Institute President Joseph K. Grieboski. "The world will be watching to see if Cuba will consistently and systematically implement fundamental human rights for its citizens, or if this was simply a public relations move by a new regime."

About Institute on Religion and Public Policy

Nominated for the 2007 Nobel Prize in Peace, the Institute on Religion and Public Policy is an international, inter-religious non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring freedom of religion as the foundation for security, stability, and democracy.

The Institute works globally with government policymakers, religious leaders, business executives, academics, international and regional organizations, non-governmental organizations and others in order to develop, protect, and promote fundamental rights – especially the right of religious freedom – and contributes to the intellectual and moral foundation of the fundamental right of religious freedom. The Institute encourages and assists in the effective and cooperative advancement of religious freedom.

Institute on Religion and Public Policy