United Nations Human Rights Council – 53rd Session
General Comment During the Adoption of
Resolution L.24 Implementation of HRC Resolution A/HRC/RES/31/36
As Delivered by Ambassador Michèle Taylor
July 14, 2023
Thank you, Mr. President.
The United States is disappointed that Member States continue to single out Israel by perpetuating another open-ended mandate related to the Israel-Palestinian conflict.
The United States has a clear, longstanding position opposing open-ended mandates without a sunset clause. Likewise, the United States consistently and unequivocally condemns efforts to boycott, divest, or sanction Israel. This mechanism is another example of a practice we cannot accept and we therefore oppose the database; it reinforces the unacceptable anti-Israel bias that too often finds traction in the UN system. In addition to being open-ended, it effectively penalizes companies doing business or considering business opportunities throughout the region. That is not a human rights issue. No similar mechanism exists for any other country, regional, or thematic situation.
The United States has demonstrated commitment to funding OHCHR mandates. In fact, the United States is one of the largest contributors to OHCHR, providing 22 percent of the $176 million in UN regular budget funding that OHCHR receives this year, plus an additional $27.6 million in planned voluntary contributions. However, this resolution is a thinly veiled attempt to attack Israel under the guise of proper use of UN funds. The United States attended the informal and shared these concerns with the drafters of the text.
As I have repeatedly stated, no country is above scrutiny; that includes Israel and my own country, the United States. However, not even those with the worst human rights records, some of which are the subject of annual resolutions at the Council, have their own stand-alone agenda item. These situations can be and are addressed through other agenda items that exist to be able to address country-specific situations.
For these reasons, I call for a vote on this resolution and urge fellow Members to join the United States in voting “no.”
I thank you.