UN Human Rights Council 11th Session
Statement by the Delegation of the United States
June 11, 2009Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you to the Mexican delegation, and Mr. Jose Guevara. It is good to see you in Geneva again.
The United States appreciates Mexico’s frank appraisal of the challenges facing the government to overcome poverty, social discrimination, gender inequality, corruption, impunity and extreme violence. The United States also acknowledges with appreciation Mexico’s efforts, in spite of these challenges, to advance the promotion and protection of human rights. We support recommendations in the Working Group Report for Mexico to bolster the Office of the Federal Special Prosecutor, as well as state and local efforts to prevent, investigate, prosecute, and punish cases of violence against women and of human trafficking.
Additionally, the United States supports recommendations to foster a safe environment for the freedom of expression, particularly for journalists, through strengthening investigations and legal frameworks. The United States urges Mexico to express government support, throughout all levels of government, for journalists as valuable, key witnesses in the struggle against impunity and the struggle against corruption, and lawlessness perpetrated by the drug cartels and other criminal elements against the Mexican people. Full investigations of all human rights abuses by military personnel and security forces, and the adoption of the recommendations by the National Human Rights Commission, would also contribute to ending impunity.
The United States feels strongly that Mexico’s voluntary commitment to follow up on the Universal Periodic Review recommendations through its National Programme on Human Rights, and with the full participation of civil society, is to be commended.
Thank you.