“World Programme for Human Rights Education”
Explanation of Position
Statement of the Delegation of the United States of America
UN Human Rights Council – 24th Session
Geneva
September 26, 2013
The United States is pleased to join consensus on the resolution on the World Programme for Human Rights Education and thanks Costa Rica and the other sponsors of this resolution for their efforts to achieve consensus.
This resolution underscores the critical role human rights education plays in promoting all human rights and fundamental freedoms. Without an understanding of their human rights, people may be unable to effectively exercise them. Promoting human rights education is thus an excellent tool for the promotion of human rights. Training of police, judges, military personnel, and law enforcement personnel can help reduce or prevent human rights violations. Human rights education can also cultivate respect for the human rights of all individuals without distinctions based on race, sex, language, religion or other factors.
In joining consensus on this resolution, we stress that the United States strongly values human rights education and training and believes it to be an invaluable tool for the advancement of human rights. We also underscore that the United States joins consensus mindful of , and consistent with, the structural capacities and limitations of our education system, and note that in the United States we have limited authority over education at a national level. In addition, the United States joins consensus with the express understanding that it does not imply that States must implement obligations under human rights instruments to which they are not a party.