Equal Participation in Political and Public Affairs
As delivered by Ambassador Keith Harper
October 1, 2015
Thank you, Mr. President.
The United States is again proud to co-sponsor and support this resolution on equal participation in political and public affairs. This important and timely resolution calls attention to the growing number of ways in which citizens participate in political and public affairs and it reminds states to eliminate barriers, in law and in practice, to full and effective participation.
It acknowledges the emergence of new forms of participation and grassroots engagement, in particular through new information and communications technologies and social media. These new forms of participation in political and public affairs significantly expand the space for the exercise of freedoms of expression, association, and peaceful assembly both online and offline.
The United States thanks the Czech Republic and the other core group members – Botswana, Indonesia, the Netherlands, and Peru – for their leadership on this important issue.
Thank you, Mr. President.