On the 29th of January, Donald Trump signed an executive order titled 'Addressing threats to the United States by the government of Cuba'. 

This executive order declares Cuba an 'unusual and extraordinary threat' to the US national security and authorise sweeping new sanctions against any country that sells or provides oil to Cuba. 

Australia enjoys a normal diplomatic relation with Cuba and this executive order represents a direct attack on Australia's sovereignty. These coercive measures impede on Human rights, particularly the right to development and the right to international cooperation. It violates the UN right to international cooperation and assistance (article 2(1) of the ICESCR). 

We call on the Australian government to condemn and call for this executive order to be rescinded and restate its opposition to the US blockade of Cuba.