democracia participativa y derechos humanos / participatory democracy & human rights

• Manfred Nowak is an Austrian lawyer known for tough talking
  Cuban government seen as sensitive on political prisoner issues
  Cuba is represented in the 47-member Council
  

Geneva, Jun 9 (Reuters).─ Cuba has told the United Nations special investigator on torture that he cannot visit the island on a fact-finding mission despite an invitation issued to him last year, the official said on Wednesday.

Austrian lawyer Manfred Nowak, known for his frank talking to both developed and developing countries on the issue, said Havana had told him it could not receive him before his mandate runs out at the end of October this year.

"I regret that, in spite of its clear invitation, the government of Cuba has not allowed me to objectively assess the situation of torture and ill-treatment in the country by collecting first-hand evidence from all available sources," he said in a statement.

Cuba invited him to visit in February 2009, but since then had failed to agree on a date, his statement said.

Diplomats at the council -- now holding a three-week session -- said Havana was showing special sensitivity over its jailing of dissidents, one of whom died in prison in February ...

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