U.S. Mission to International
Organizations in Geneva

Interactive Dialogue/Presentation of the Annual Report by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights 

 Joint Statement Delivered by Ambassador Michèle Taylor 

Human Rights Council – 53rd Session  

Thank you, Mr. President. 

Mr. High Commissioner, we deliver this statement on behalf of 67 states. 

We begin by recalling the grievous history of destruction of diverse forms of indigenous and local cultures in many parts of the world, policies that have harmed these populations by denying them their beliefs, their history, and their dignity, while impoverishing humankind as a whole. 

International law prohibits discrimination, including that based on religious or ethnic identity, and protects minorities in the enjoyment of their culture, the professing of their religion, and the use of their language. 

Despite these clear obligations, in some parts of the world deplorable human rights violations are being committed against persons belonging to religious, linguistic, national, and ethnic minorities, often with the stated aim of mitigating a perceived security threat.  Government laws and policies specifically restrict and suppress practices that are part of the identity and cultural life of persons belonging to minorities:  authorities destroy cultural heritage sites, cemeteries and places of worship; suppress languages; forcibly assimilate children through the educational system; place severe restrictions on movement; and restrict access to livelihoods, education, and healthcare.  

Mr. High Commissioner, we reiterate the importance of promoting universal respect for human rights.  We call on all governments around the world, including our own government, to uphold their duties and respect the rights of persons belonging to minorities – to allow the culture of ethnic and religious minorities to flourish, and to respect the ability of everyone to worship as they please, to speak the language of their parents, as well as to use their traditional knowledge and to participate in the social institutions of their choice. 

I thank you. 

Signed by:

1. Albania 
2. Andorra 
3. Antigua and Barbuda
4. Armenia 
5. Australia 
6. Austria 
7. Belgium 
8. Bosnia  
9. Bulgaria  
10. Canada 
11. Colombia 
12. Costa Rica 
13. Croatia  
14. Czechia 
15. Cyprus 
16. Denmark 
17. Ecuador 
18. Estonia  
19. Eswatini 
20. Fiji 
21. Finland 
22. France 
23. Gambia 
24. Georgia 
25. Germany 
26. Greece 
27. Guatemala 
28. Haiti
29. Honduras  
30. Hungary 
31. Iceland 
32. Ireland 
33. India 
34. Israel 
35. Italy 
36. Japan 
37. Korea, Republic of 
38. Latvia 
39. Lebanon 
40. Liberia 
41. Liechtenstein 
42. Lithuania 
43. Luxembourg 
44. Malta 
45. Marshall Islands 
46. Moldova 
47. Monaco 
48. Montenegro 
49. Morocco 
50. Netherlands 
51. New Zealand 
52. North Macedonia 
53. Norway 
54. Paraguay  
55. Poland 
56. Portugal  
57. Romania 
58. San Marino  
59. Slovakia 
60. Slovenia 
61. Spain 
62. Sweden 
63. Switzerland 
64. Ukraine 
65. United Kingdom 
66. United States 
67. Vanuatu