US Mission Geneva

We remain concerned by the failure of state institutions to effectively investigate and prosecute alleged human rights abuses and to ensure accountability of officials, at all levels of responsibility, implicated in abuse, torture or death of civilians during last year’s unrest.

Press Statement U.S. Delegation to the United Nations Human Rights Council March 16, 2012 U.S. Delegation to the United Nations Human Rights Council March 16, 2012 The adoption of a final group of country reports at the Human Rights Council today marks the completion of the first cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).  As [...]

We commend Timor Leste for its strong voice promoting human rights and democracy around the world and its further development of domestic institutions, including draft legislation on the creation of a Memory Institute and the award of compensation to victims of past human rights violations.

We commend Zimbabwe for creation of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission; however, we note with disappointment that it is not operational and is not set up to be an independent constitutional body able to effectively execute its mandate.

The United States notes positive steps that Lithuania has taken over the last year on human rights and encourages continued efforts in this regard. In 2010 Lithuania co-founded with the United States a new working group on gender equality and women’s rights, operating under the auspices of the Community of Democracies, which was chaired by Lithuania in 2009-11. The Lithuanian chairmanship was energetic and productive, and gave new momentum to promote human rights and democracy within Lithuania as well as globally.

We encourage the government to continue its positive momentum by prosecuting trafficking cases when victims have been identified. In addition, we welcome the Government’s announcement to construct a new reception and custody prison.

We remain concerned about specific actions taken by the Venezuelan government to limit freedom of expression and criminalize dissent, including using administrative pretexts to close media outlets and harassing media owners and members of the political opposition through judicial action.

The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the Syrian government’s gross violations of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of its people and its continued violent and deadly repression of peaceful protests.

It gives us great pleasure to extend warm regards to our colleague And warmly welcome the Kingdom of Thailand’s delegation to the UPR Working Group. We congratulate the Thailand on the completion of its national report and presentation today.