Cuba, U.S. retain "profound differences" over human rights issues

Cuba and the United States held a second round of talks on human rights on Friday, where "profound differences" remain between the two countries, said a senior Cuban foreign ministry official.

Pedro Pedroso, deputy director of multilateral affairs and international law, told reporters after the talks that Cuba is concerned with "the documented violations of human rights in the U.S., particularly with policy brutality against African Americans and other minorities."

The official, describing the topic as a thorny issue, also addressed the U.S. violations of human rights in various countries and "torture" and "executions" committed in detention centers, including the U.S. Guantanamo Naval Base.

"We question the double standards and selectivity that prevail in the consideration of human rights issues in the international arena. Human rights can't be used for political purposes," Pedroso added.

While identifying the remaining differences, the official also affirmed that Cuba wishes "both countries can interact politely and with respect for those differences".

Meanwhile, Pedroso ruled out the possibility of discussing the island's internal affairs with its former Cold War foe.

At the press conference, Pedroso also mentioned Cuba's concerns over other issues in the U.S., including racism, discrimination against migrants and minorities and child labor.

The talks on human rights between Havana and Washington started in March 2015, seen as a sign of the willingness of both governments to exchange views on any subject with respect and reciprocity.

The two countries announced the start of normalizing ties in 2014. Endi