Statement of the United States of America
as delivered by William J. Mozdzierz
Human Rights Council 34th session
Geneva, March 23, 2017
Thank you, Mr. Vice President,
First, we would like to take this opportunity to extend condolences to our British colleagues for the horrific attacks yesterday in London, which we condemn in the strongest possible terms.
The United States is troubled by anti-democratic actions in Cambodia such as the jailing of opposition politicians and civil society figures, and the National Assembly’s recent adoption of a law that allows courts to dissolve the opposition. Not only are these actions contrary to Cambodia’s international obligations to respect and ensure human rights and fundamental freedoms, but they also constitute a setback for Cambodia’s political development and inevitably will cast doubt on the legitimacy and credibility of the 2017 and 2018 elections if they do not genuinely guarantee the free expression of the will of the Cambodian people.
We commend Colombia for extending the mandate of the OHCHR office in the country; OHCHR monitoring of the implementation of the peace accord is key to securing just and lasting peace. We encourage Bolivia to extend the mandate of the OHCHR office there, and we commend the work of OHCHR’s offices in Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico.
Thank you.