A/HRC/37/L.41
Explanation of Position by the United States of America
as delivered by Jason Mack
Human Rights Council, 37th Session
Geneva, March 23, 2018
Thank you, Mr. President.
The importance of respect for human rights is front and center in the UN drug conventions, a foundation of international drug control policy, as well as in the declarations and resolutions from the General Assembly and the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND). There is no dispute about the role of respect for human rights in drug control efforts. That is why we join consensus on this resolution.
We want to emphasize that we believe that the United Nations organizations in Vienna, such as UNODC, are the appropriate venue for discussion of many of the issues contained in this resolution. In efforts to avoid duplicative spending and work, we urge other delegations to consider whether the themes of this resolution are adequately addressed elsewhere in the UN system. The US recognizes the importance of advancing efforts across the UN system, particularly between WHO and UNODC, to address the public health aspects of the world drug problem, keeping the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs informed as the lead UN entity with primary responsibility for international drug control policy.
Finally, we would also like to make clear that we appreciate this resolution’s reference to “persons in vulnerable situations” in operative paragraph 1. This includes all persons belonging to marginalized and vulnerable groups.
Thank you.