Cuba defends its human rights record

HAVANA - Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque defended Cuba's human rights record yesterday, recognizing some "imperfections" but saying the communist-run island can be proud of how it has treated its people.

"After 50 years, a work has been constructed favoring the rights of all Cubans," Perez Roque told reporters, referring to the Cuban revolution's half-century in power. The minister called it an "imperfect work," but said, "Cuba can celebrate this day with head held high."

Perez Roque spoke as he arrived for an international conference on the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which set a worldwide standard for how countries should treat people. Cuba is a signatory to the declaration.

The United States and several independent human rights groups accuse Cuba of violating rights of free speech, assembly, and the press, say its courts are unfair, and accuse it of holding at least 219 political prisoners.

ASSOCIATED PRESS