U.S. Statement as delivered by Jason Mack
Human Rights Council 36th Session
Geneva, September 29, 2017
Thank you Mr. President.
The United States remains deeply concerned about poverty, hunger, and the individual human rights of persons working and living in rural areas. Many of our bilateral and multilateral assistance programs address these issues in concrete terms that positively impact the lives of millions of individuals worldwide. However, we do not think that a new Declaration pertaining to peasants will change the situation for persons in rural areas. Countries should focus on implementing their existing international legal obligations and commitments. Therefore, we believe that authorizing a 5th session of this Working Group to finalize the drafting of a Declaration is neither an effective nor an appropriate use of the Council’s limited resources. The United States believes that in keeping with the spirit of UN reform, all members of the Council should take greater care not to create or maintain new expensive and duplicative mechanisms. Countries should take greater care not to create new expensive and duplicative mechanisms.
Given these concerns, the United States is calling for a vote on this resolution and will vote no, and urges you to vote no as well.
Thank you.