U.S. Statement
Adoption of the Working Group’s Report on
Botswana’s Universal Periodic Review
As delivered by Ambassador Eileen C. Donahoe
UN Human Rights Council – 23rd Session
Geneva,
June 6, 2013
Thank you Mr. President.
The United States welcomes the recent efforts by the Government of Botswana to respond to many of the recommendations made here during its UPR this past January.
In particular, we are pleased with the government’s willingness to engage with Botswana’s civil society and with the international community on some of the most sensitive human rights matters in the country. We believe such engagement represents an excellent opportunity to make progress on a number of important issues, including the human rights of LGBT persons.
Botswana demonstrates significant leadership as one of the most enduring democracy in Africa and we look forward to continuing to work together at the Human Rights Council and in Gaborone on the full range of human rights issues.