U.S. Statement at the 15th Session of the UN Forum on Minority Issues
As delivered by Patrick Elliot, Human Rights Officer
December 1, 2022
Thank you, Chair. The United States welcomes this opportunity to discuss how together we can advance the human rights of members of minority groups and marginalized communities around the world.
The United States welcomes the contributions of the Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues’ report from his 2021 country visit to the United States to our own efforts to address the unique vulnerabilities faced by members of minority groups and marginalized communities. We appreciate your acknowledgement of positive steps we have taken to ensure respect for their human rights.
The United States encourages other countries to accept visits from your mandate, which we did as part of our there standing invitation to thematic Special Procedures mandate holders.
Our deep commitment to the advancement of the human rights of members of minority groups and marginalized communities is a key component of our domestic and foreign policy. We are working to address several issues you highlighted in your report.
The United States is advancing racial equity and support for underserved communities, expanding efforts to improve respect and tolerance for all, protecting the right to freedom of religion or belief, expanding access to voting, narrowing the racial wealth gap, protecting sacred lands for Indigenous peoples, and combatting hate-based violence. The United State is also improving quality of life outcomes, enhancing ongoing COVID-19 pandemic recovery initiatives, and promoting equal educational opportunity at all levels, including through large investments in the nation’s historically black colleges and universities and minority-serving institutions.
Despite these positive steps, is more work to do to achieve equality for members of minority groups and marginalized communities. We look forward to ongoing dialogue and constructive engagement. Thank you.