Concluding our first year in the Human Rights Council, the United States took advantage of its leadership role – working with allies, partners, and civil society – so that the Council reflects and strengthens the universal values, aspirations, and norms that have underpinned the United Nations system. since its establishment more than 75 years ago. At the 51st session of the HRC, the United States defends, protects, and respects human rights and fundamental freedoms. This session also marks the first time that the Human Rights Council has ever considered a resolution or decision on the domestic human rights situation in a country that is a permanent member of the UN Security Council, let alone two permanent members of the Security Council. Our statement and position affirm the commitment of the Biden-Harris Administration to promote the universality of human rights, including by addressing discrimination, inequality, and inequality in all its forms.
This session, the United States is promoting human rights priorities, including:
Establish an Independent Review of the Deteriorating Human Rights Situation in Russia: The United States is supporting a resolution, led by 26 European Union member states and sponsored by more than 40 countries, to create a Special Rapporteur on Russia’s domestic human rights situation. The Russian government’s domestic repression has created a dire human rights situation for everyone in Russia and facilitated the disinformation that enabled Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. The resolution expressed grave concern about the dire human rights situation in Russia – including severe restrictions on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly – and established a Special Rapporteur to ensure an independent review.
Call for HRC Debate on Xinjiang: The United States and more than 35 cosponsors present a decision to discuss the assessment of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on the human rights situation in Xinjiang at HRC 52 in March 2023. This is the first time since the establishment of the Council that a member continues formal action to deal with the human rights situation in the PRC. The decision was defeated by a narrow margin but underscored the serious human rights concerns raised in the OHCHR’s independent assessment. The defeat of this decision is a loss for the millions of victims from Xinjiang whose experiences deserve to be discussed by the Council. Even so, we will continue our efforts to address the human rights situation in Xinjiang as well as other human rights issues in the PRC.
Strengthening the Special Rapporteur’s Mandate on Afghanistan: The United States supports this resolution and is working with European Union member states and other partners to renew and strengthen the capacity of the Special Rapporteur on the situation in Afghanistan, including documentation, preservation, and reporting. from abuses, especially affecting women, girls, and minorities.
Support for the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia: The United States supported a resolution to ensure the Council’s continued attention to the human rights situation in Ethiopia and to renew the mandate of the international commission of human rights experts on Ethiopia created last year. We continue to press the Ethiopian Government to cooperate with this commission and allow its members unhindered access to carry out their work. Any lasting solution to the conflict must involve comprehensive and inclusive transitional justice for victims and accountability for those responsible for human rights abuses and violations.
Advancing Reconciliation and Addressing Corruption and Impunity in Sri Lanka: As a member of the core group, the United States supported the resolution to continue the Council’s engagement with the Government of Sri Lanka during this economic crisis, including supporting the need for accountability for the past. abuse and committed during the recent political turmoil as well as monitoring and reporting on the situation in the country. The human rights of all Sri Lankans must be upheld. Strengthen the protection and respect of human rights in line with political and economic reforms.
Continuing to Shine a Light on Abuses and Abuses in Syria: As a member of the core group, the United States joined the Council in once again calling international attention to abuses and violations in Syria, particularly those committed by the Assad regime. The Council called on the regime to release all those arbitrarily detained; stop torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment; and provide answers to the lost. We welcome UN Secretary-General Guterres’ August 30 report on missing persons in Syria and are committed to working with partners to seek justice and address the issue of disappearances.
Renewing the Mandate of the United Nations Fact-Finding Mission in Venezuela: The United States supported a resolution to renew the mandate of the Fact-Finding Mission in Venezuela, which plays an important role in the international community’s efforts to hold the Maduro regime accountable to humanity. abuse of rights in Venezuela.
Indigenous Issues: The United States supported two resolutions on the rights of indigenous peoples. The first resolution renews the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples and the second resolution outlines substantive considerations on human rights and Indigenous Peoples.
Contemporary Forms of Slavery: The United States supports a resolution to renew the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, including its causes and consequences.
Advancing Racial Equity and Justice and Combating Antisemitism: The United States sent a national statement supporting the work of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent and the International Mechanism of Independent Experts to Advance Racial Equity and Equality in Law Enforcement, as well as a statement reiterating our steadfast commitment to countering racial discrimination and injustice, wherever it occurs. We also signed a joint statement led by Austria, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic on combating antisemitism and against online hate speech.
Cosponsored Resolutions: The United States co-sponsored 23 resolutions, including resolutions on Arbitrary Detention, Cyberbullying, World Program for Human Rights Education, Physical and Mental Health, Elderly, Universal Periodic Review, Youth and Human Rights, National Institute for Human Rights, Local Government and Human Rights, Neurotechnology, Promoting International Cooperation to Support National Mechanisms, The Role of Good Government in the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, Transitional Justice, and the Role of Prevention in the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, as well as the human rights situation in Afghanistan , Burundi, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Russia, and Venezuela.
Joint Statement: The United States signed a joint statement on several human rights issues, including a statement on Crimea condemning Russia’s continued occupation and unjustified full-scale war against Ukraine, a statement expressing deep concern about the rising level of violence in Haiti, a statement condemning the violent protests in Iran and calling for an end to discrimination against women, a statement calling attention to the deteriorating human rights situation in Nicaragua; and a statement calling for independent and impartial monitoring and reporting of the situation in Yemen. The United States also joined the statement on the Responsibility to Protect; Special Procedures, including the promotion of Standing Invitations to all Special Procedures, Elimination of Sexual Harassment, Antisemitism; Russia’s Filtration Operation and Forced Deportation of Ukrainian Civilians; and Technology and Peace.
Through resolutions, national and joint statements, side events, and interactive dialogues, the United States advances efforts to improve equity and inclusion, including regarding women and girls in all their diversity, internally displaced people, LGBTQI + people, people with disabilities, indigenous people, members of ethnic and religious minority groups, and members of other marginalized and vulnerable groups.
