JONATHAN FOWLER
Associated Press

GENEVA - A top U.N. investigator clashed with Cuban officials Wednesday over her report criticizing human rights conditions on the communist-ruled island.

Cuban Ambassador Jorge Mora Godoy told the U.N. Human Rights Commission that Christine Chanet was playing into the hands of the U.S. campaign against Havana.

But Chanet, a French legal expert, slammed Cuban authorities from banning her from the country, making it "almost impossible" to prepare balanced report.

The clash occurred when Chanet presented her report on human rights in Cuba to the 53-nation commission, which is part-way through its annual six-week session. The commission is the world body's top human rights watchdog.

Cuba has never allowed a U.N. human rights envoy to visit the island, claiming such visits could infringe on its sovereignty. Chanet prepared her report based on meetings with campaigners, human-rights investigators and other governments.

"This report, based on lies and slander, only serves as a platform for the anti-Cuban campaign of the government of the United States, which is completely immoral," Godoy told the commission.

He said the United States had been waging a campaign of "aggression and manipulation" against Cuba for the past 45 years.

In her report, Chanet noted that Cuba's release of 18 political prisoners last year was a positive step, but did "not signify the end of the repression" because other political detainees were still behind bars.

The report said Cuban authorities arrested people in 2004 for expressing anti-government opinions, working with international human rights organizations and participating in associations or academic groups deemed counterrevolutionary.

She urged Havana to improve its treatment of political prisoners, who often receive poor food, hygiene and medical treatment, the report said.

Chanet also said Cuba should stop penalizing journalists, academics and activists for acts of free expression. But she gave good grades to the country's health care, education system and level of gender equality in employment.

The United States has had economic sanctions against Cuba since President John F. Kennedy imposed them in 1963, four years after Fidel Castro came to power.