Interactive Dialogue with Working Group on Arbitrary Detention
Statement by the Delegation of the United States of America
Human Rights Council – 48th Session
We thank the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, particularly given the unique challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The United States strongly condemns the arbitrary detentions of human rights defenders, activists, and others targeted for their peaceful dissent.
We are particularly concerned about the staggering number of individuals arbitrarily detained by Russia; the PRC; the Assad regime in Syria; and those unjustly detained in Yemen.
The United States shares the Working Group’s concerns surrounding the detention of women, noting that detention can be used to uphold restrictive social norms and exacerbate inequality.
Question: What steps can we take to ensure that women can exercise their rights and advocate for others without fear of arbitrary detention?