Item 4: General Debate on Human Rights Situations
Requiring Council Attention
Statement by the Delegation of the United States of America
Delivered by Ambassador Eileen Chamberlain Donahoe
Human Rights Council 24th Session
Geneva, September 17, 2013
Mr. President,
The United States remains deeply concerned about deplorable human rights situations, especially in but not limited to Syria and the DPRK. We denounce these and other countries’ targeted attacks against civilians. Additionally, the United States hopes that Iran’s new government will take urgent measures to address ending the practices of political imprisonment and the execution of minors.
We also highlight these countries of concern.
Cuban authorities continue to repress peaceful assembly and free expression. We reiterate our calls for Alan Gross’s release and an independent investigation into the deaths of Oswaldo Payá and Harold Cepero.
China has increased arrests, forced disappearances, and extralegal detentions of public interest lawyers, Internet activists, journalists, religious leaders, and others who challenge official policies and actions, including Xu Zhiyong; China has increased Internet controls and press censorship; and limits religious freedom, particularly in Tibetan and Uighur areas.
The Venezuelan government continues to use the judiciary to intimidate and selectively prosecute political, union, business, and civil society leaders, and also harasses and intimidates independent media outlets and journalists. We call on the government to address these matters transparently and to adhere to international standards regarding human rights including conducting a full audit of the April elections.
Belarus restricts freedoms of expression and assembly, and suppresses civil society and democratic political participation. The government should immediately grant access to the Special Rapporteur and immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners and restoration of their political rights.
Poor prison conditions and abuse of detainees, torture, harassment of religious minorities, harsh restrictions on independent civil society activities, and denial of due process and fair trial are ongoing problems in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.
The United States also calls the Council’s urgent attention to recent negative developments in several places.
The significant deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the Central African Republic, as well as reports of widespread human rights violations by Séléka elements, including: arbitrary arrests and detention, sexual violence against women and children, torture, rape, extrajudicial killings, unlawful recruitment and use of children in conflict, and attacks against protected civilians.
Journalists across the Middle East lack sufficient government protections. In Egypt, Iran, and Iraq, journalists continue to face serious physical risks, harassment, and retribution from government or, as in the case of Yemen and Libya, from non-government actors. In some cases, they face obstacles imposed by restrictive media laws.
Zimbabwe’s July 31 elections were seriously flawed. We urge the Government of Zimbabwe to implement the political reforms mandated by Zimbabwe’s new constitution.
And finally, Sri Lanka should set visit dates and provide access for relevant Special Rapporteurs. We remain concerned by violence against religious minorities, excessive use of force by the military against peaceful protestors, violations of freedom of expression, and reprisals against human rights defenders, members of civil society, and journalists.
Thank you.