US Mission Geneva

At its founding, Elihu Root gave this campus a mission that is the very essence of our national defense: “Not to promote war, but to preserve peace by intelligent and adequate preparation to repel aggression.” For more than a century, you and your predecessors have heeded that call. There are few greater contributions citizens can claim.

Mr. Chairman, the United States proposes that the agenda be adopted without item 5, which refers to the EU’s request for authorization to suspend concessions or other obligations in DS294.

The United States recommends the Government of Egypt lift the state of emergency that has been in effect since 1981 and replace the Emergency Law with a counterterrorism law that guarantees civil liberties. Because of freedom of expression concerns, the United States recommends the abolishment of prison terms for incitement to discrimination regarding sex, origin, language, religion or belief, and for acts damaging to an individual’s honor. The United States recommends that the Government of Egypt release bloggers and activists currently detained under the Emergency Law and cease its arrests and detentions of political activists.

Well, let me say first how great it is to be back at Brookings where I spent many happy hours as a trustee before I was forced to resign, to serve in the U.S. government. It’s also great to be here with so many good friends and colleagues from the human rights world.

During a visit to the MAGIC Marketplace textile and apparel trade event in Las Vegas, NV, Ambassador Ron Kirk was joined by Haitian apparel manufacturer Richard Coles of Multitex, President of the U.S. Association of Importers of Textiles and Apparel (USA-ITA) Julia K. Hughes, Jerry Cook, Vice President of Government and Trade Relations for Hanesbrands, Inc., and Senior Director at GAP Mark D’Sa as Ambassador Kirk announced a new initiative to assist post-earthquake recovery efforts in Haiti.

We welcome this opportunity to participate in the Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review of Iraq and we welcome the Minister of Human Rights and the rest of the Iraqi delegation. We view this as an opportunity to collaborate with government representatives, non-governmental organizations, and UN officials who share our strong interest in helping Iraq’s democratically elected government improve the human rights situation. We hope to see the new government sustain and improve its commitment to human rights by standing up and empowering the constitutionally-mandated Human Rights Commission.

The United States strongly condemns the recent violent and unjust suppression of innocent Iranian citizens, which has resulted in detentions, injuries and deaths. Since last June millions of Iranian people have sought to raise legitimate concerns about the 2009 electoral process and to exercise their universal rights. The Government of Iran has suppressed their protests, often resorting to violence.

Thank you very much. It is, indeed, an honor to be here, to be part of this U.S.-Islamic World Forum. And I thank you for all of the kind words and good wishes for my husband, who is doing fine. He is in great shape. All is well, or I would not be here this evening. And he sends his best greetings to each and every one of you, and particularly to you, Your Highness. I told the Emir that, on my way to the airport today, the last instruction I received from my husband was to give his very best regards to you, Your Highness.

The United States commends Angola’s cooperation with the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention in 2008. The United States remains concerned, however that suspects have been subjected to torture while in detention, including incommunicado detention. The United States recommends that Angola act on the recommendations of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, and ratify the Convention against Torture.