Ambassador Warren W. Tichenor, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, made the following statement to the press June 30, 2006 at the conclusion of the first session of the Human Rights Council

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Less than two weeks ago the U.S., along with others, spoke of our hope that the Human Rights Council would fulfill its purpose.  At this first meeting an historic opportunity has been lost. 

Rather than address a number of urgent human rights situations around the world in a fair, equitable and balanced way, this new Human Rights Council has instead pursued an unbalanced agenda to single out and focus on Israel alone.

The United States is of course disappointed that a host of important human rights situations has been left unaddressed at the end of this first Human Rights Council session.

We acknowledge and appreciate the work of many parties – particularly the Council’s President Ambassador de Alba of Mexico - who worked diligently, in a spirit of good faith and good will, to address this broad range of human rights situations.

As to the current situation in the Middle East we call upon all parties to exercise utmost restraint, to protect all citizens, to restore security, allowing for the resumption of the peace process.

While today we are disappointed, the United States is still committed to working to ensure that the HRC is as effective and efficient as it can be.

Thank you.

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