Delivered by Ambassador Harper, U.S. Representative to the United Nations Human Rights Council
Human Rights Council Special Session
Thank you, Mr. President.
The United States joins consensus on the resolution presented at this special session in solidarity with the countless individuals affected by Boko Haram-related violence.
We want to thank the African Group for leading this Special Session. And in particular, we would like to state our appreciation to the delegation of Algeria for its openness during discussions on this resolution.
We look forward to the reporting by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the abuses and violations of human rights occurring in the countries affected by atrocities committed by Boko Haram.
While supporting this important initiative of the Council today, we do note our concerns on the inclusion of language that falls outside the scope of this Council.
In particular, we note that the Human Rights Council lacks the mandate and expertise to address topics such as efforts to limit the flow of funding to non-state groups as well as discussions related to the provision of assistance in efforts to counter terrorism. Other bodies are more appropriate fora for such discussions.
We strongly condemn the atrocities committed by Boko Haram and, simultaneously, we reaffirm that the principal role for members of this Council is to hold each other, as States, accountable for fulfilling our human rights obligations and commitments.
Thank you.