US Mission Geneva

The United States supports the Council’s expression of concern about the human rights situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, its call upon the government to respect human rights law and international humanitarian law, and the renewal of the mandate of the seven thematic special procedures. The Council must try to help improve the situation of the people of the DRC, including achieving progress in combating impunity, and we believe that technical assistance is key to success on the ground. We believe the Council could have created a more effective mechanism, such as an Independent Expert on the Situation of Human Rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The United States is pleased to have joined consensus on the Rights of the Child resolution. Our decision reflects our deep commitment to promoting and protecting the rights of children in our own country and around the world, and, in particular, to protecting children from sexual violence.

The United States will vote against this resolution because we view it as an ineffective way to address these concerns. We cannot agree that prohibiting speech is the way to promote tolerance, and because we continue to see the “defamation of religions” concept used to justify censorship, criminalization, and in some cases violent assaults and deaths of political, racial, and religious minorities around the world. Contrary to the intentions of most Member States, governments are likely to abuse the rights of individuals in the name of this resolution, and in the name of the Human Rights Council.

So this is not just a celebration of Nancy or me; this is a celebration of all the women and girls who may not ever get called Speaker or Secretary of State, but who in their own ways are making it possible for generations to come after them to seize and hold their rightful place.

Ambassador Donahoe: Despite our strong concerns and those of other countries about the report, we have consistently expressed our belief that allegations about events that took place in Gaza must be taken seriously and warrant credible domestic follow-up action.

One of the tragedies of the ongoing conflict in Somalia has been the depletion of human capital in the country. We were particularly troubled by extensive reports of Al-Shabaab’s summary executions and mutilations, indiscriminate shelling of civilian areas by all parties to the conflict, pervasive gender-based violence, the conscription of children into the armed conflict, and blocked humanitarian assistance.

- No nation can escape the impacts of climate change – the security and stability of all nations and their peoples are at risk. The poorest and most vulnerable will suffer the most.

The United States is deeply concerned about the human suffering of the Palestinian and Israeli peoples resulting from the ongoing Arab-Israeli conflict. As our President acknowledged in Cairo in June, 2009, the only resolution to this conflict is for the aspirations of both sides to be met through two states, where Israelis and Palestinians live side by side, in peace and security.

World Tuberculosis Day 2010, March 24, is focused on individuals around the world who have found new ways to stop TB and can serve as an inspiration to others. The idea is to recognize people who have introduced a variety of innovations in a variety of settings. This year’s theme of Innovation speaks to the need for a new way forward.