Statement by Keith Harper,
U.S. Ambassador to the Human Rights Council
Geneva,
March 23, 2015
Today the United States, in support of Israel, made no statement at the United Nations Human Rights Council debate on alleged Israeli violations of human rights in the Palestinian territories, otherwise known as Item 7. Our non-participation in this debate underscores our position that Item 7 lacks legitimacy, as it did last year when we also refrained from speaking. The United States strongly and unequivocally opposes the very existence of Agenda Item 7 and any HRC resolutions that come from it.
The United States’ approach to the Human Rights Council’s Item 7 has not changed.
We remain deeply troubled, by this Council’s stand-alone agenda item directed against Israel, and by the many repetitive and one-sided resolutions under that agenda item[1].
No other nation has an entire agenda item set aside to deal with it[2].
As was the case last year, the United States will not engage in the debate. Neither will Israel.
Instead, we will call a vote, and vote no on Item 7 resolutions.
After which, the United States will make a statement explaining our consistent approach in opposition to Item 7.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4640004,00.html
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[1] Explanation of Position by the Delegation of the United States of America, delivered by Paula G. Schriefer, 2014
[2] Secretary Kerry’s HRC Speech, 2015.