/HRC/37/L.27
General Statement 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 United States strongly supports the resolution “Cooperation with Georgia” before us today and we call on all members of this Council to vote in favor of the resolution if a vote is called.
It is important that this Council support member states when they request technical assistance and capacity building within their territories, along with reporting on the human rights situation. The government of Georgia is cooperating closely with OHCHR to improve the human rights situation in their country. At the same time, de facto authorities in the Russian-occupied territories of Georgia continue to deny any access to OHCHR while there are reports of widespread abuses of rights in these territories. We note that any right of return is limited to refugees. However, we concur that internally displaced persons should also have the ability to return.
The United States fully supports Georgia’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. The resolution before us now will continue technical cooperation between OHCHR and Georgia for another year while calling for immediate OHCHR access to Abkhazia and South Ossetia. In light of the current situation on the ground, it is essential that the Human Rights Council adopt the resolution on cooperation with Georgia before us now.
Thank you