The United States welcomes the Cameroonian delegation and appreciates its active participation in this important process.

We are troubled by deterioration of human rights and fundamental freedoms since the last UPR in 2013.

We are deeply troubled by restrictions on the rights of members of the political opposition, independent media, civil society, and religious and other minority groups in Russia.

As delivered by Huda Ibrahim 30th Session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group Geneva, May 14, 2018 The international community appreciates the Government of Bangladesh for hosting Rohingya refugees and welcomes its commitment to a voluntary, safe, and dignified repatriation process that includes the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and relevant international agencies. However, …

We commend Canada’s long-standing commitment to human rights and implementation of prior recommendations.

We congratulate Djibouti for conducting peaceful legislative elections and for committing to take measures to increase the political representation of women.

We commend Colombia’s efforts to implement the 2016 peace accord that ended a half century of armed conflict with the FARC and reduced violence substantially.

The United States commends Germany for its commitment to human rights and its excellent record investigating and holding accountable those responsible for violations and abuses.

We commend the Government for steps taken to expand space for civil society, such as new respect for religious freedoms, relaxed media restrictions, new public feedback mechanisms, and cooperation with activists.

We applaud the government’s efforts to implement recommendations from the previous UPR cycle.

We commend Cabo Verde for its commitment to democracy and for working to promote the human rights of all.

We appreciate efforts to work toward protections for conscientious objectors and improve conditions in the prison system.

We commend Burkina Faso for working to re-establish democratic governance in recent years.

The United States wishes to clarify its position on a few issues present in several of the Item 3 resolutions, including but not limited to the Right to Work and Good Governance.

The importance of respect for human rights is front and center in the UN drug conventions, a foundation of international drug control policy, as well as in the declarations and resolutions from the General Assembly and the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND).

The United States strongly supports the renewal of the mandate of the Independent Expert on Mali. We wish to clarify our understanding of the language in a few parts of the text of the resolution adopted on Technical Cooperation on Mali.

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.

The United States is pleased to co-sponsor the resolutions on the human rights situations in the DPRK, Iran, and Myanmar.

The United States strongly and unequivocally opposes the existence of the Human Rights Council’s biased Agenda Item Seven

The human rights situation in South Sudan as reported is deeply alarming to us all.

The United States joins consensus on this resolution to underscore the priority we place on our domestic and international efforts to protect and promote the well-being of children.

The United States would like to express our appreciation to Armenia for its efforts to reach consensus on this resolution, and support the text as drafted.

We welcome the resolution’s strong condemnation of the continued systematic, widespread and gross violations and abuses of human rights and all violations of international humanitarian law carried out by the Syrian government and its allies.

The United States makes the following statement to supplement its explanation of position on Agenda Item 3 matters in order to clarify its position on certain issues pertinent to this resolution.

The United States recognizes that the 2030 Agenda can help countries work toward global peace and prosperity, and that each country has its own development priorities and must work towards implementation in accordance with its own national policies and priorities.

The United States is committed to defending human rights frameworks at the United Nations; we will not participate in attempts to weaken states’ obligations and commitments to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms or to subordinate them to other aims, such as those related to development or trade.

We would like to thank Denmark, Chile and the core-group for their cooperative spirit, which enabled us to join consensus on this resolution.

The United States once again categorically rejects the premise that underlies the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Unilateral Coercive Measures.

The United States is pleased to co-sponsor this resolution and we thank the core group for their collaborative approach in developing this text

This Council is meeting at a time when the international community is confronting what could be the modern era’s most serious food security emergency.

We are pleased to cosponsor this resolution and are grateful to the core group for their collaborative approach throughout the development of this text.

The United States is pleased to join consensus on this resolution concerning the realization of economic, social, and cultural rights, and welcome its emphasis on the links between sustainability and resilience and the enjoyment of human rights.

The United States continues to support the promotion of cultural diversity, pluralism, tolerance, cooperation, and dialogue among people from all cultures.

The United States concurs with other members of the Council that protection of the environment is vitally important and contributes to sustainable development, human well-being, and the enjoyment of human rights.

We would like to thank Azerbaijan and the core-group for their cooperative spirit, which enabled us to join consensus on this resolution.

We believe States must take effective measures to protect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all persons, such as those with albinism, including effective prosecution of perpetrators of violence.

In the spirit of our shared policy objective, to make adequate housing available to all of our people, we are pleased to join consensus on this resolution today.

The United States is fully committed to the goals of promoting and strengthening the integrity of the judicial system in every nation.

The United States encourages governments facing serious human rights challenges to cooperate fully with OHCHR to help them address those challenges. Many countries have benefited from such cooperation.

Mr. High Commissioner, we welcome cooperation with you and your office, and we appreciate your efforts.

New Zealand makes this statement on behalf of a group of 45 countries; the full version of the statement and the list of supporting delegations will be published on the extranet.

We remain deeply concerned by reports of widespread abuses by armed groups, such as unlawful killings; involuntary disappearances; torture; pervasive sexual violence, including against men and boys; unlawful restrictions on freedom of movement; and the continued use of child soldiers by armed groups.

The United States condemns the widespread abuses committed by Russian occupation authorities in Crimea and Russia-led forces in eastern Ukraine.

We encourage all Libyan parties to support the UN-facilitated political process and work together in the spirit of compromise toward the common goal of a peaceful, united, and inclusive Libya.

We are gravely concerned by the deterioration of the human rights situation in Mali and by reports of the ongoing of serious human rights violations and abuses.

The Vienna Declaration and Program of Action calls for democracy, justice, equality, and the rule of law as key principles for the protection and full enjoyment of human rights, particularly during elections.

The Government of the DRC has the primary responsibility to protect those within its territory, to respect and ensure the human rights of all persons in its territory, and ensure that those responsible for abuses and violations of human rights are held accountable.

We welcome the Government’s decision to accept our recommendations on full implementation of HRC resolution 30/1 and on accountability for the government’s, including the security forces, human rights violations and abuses, as well as accountability for those responsible for harassment and violence against members of religious minority communities.

The United States firmly stands against all forms of discrimination and appreciates the summary report by the Office of the High Commissioner on the panel discussion of the impact of multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination on the enjoyment of human rights by women and girls.

The United States notes with concern the grave conditions facing the press in Iran as detailed in the UN Special Rapporteur’s report.

The United States firmly stands against all forms of discrimination and appreciates the summary report by the Office of the High Commissioner on the panel discussion of the impact of multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination on the enjoyment of human rights by women and girls.

The Human Rights Council (HRC) has done much to advance the cause of human rights, calling out human rights violations and abuses, encouraging positive action, and changing lives. At its best, the Human Rights Council fulfils its promise as the world’s premier body charged with the protection and promotion of human rights.

We welcome your attention to stateless women belonging to minority groups and the unique challenges they face. This is closely related to efforts undertaken by the United States at this Council to highlight the issue of stateless women and children.

Our governments remain concerned over Iran’s poor human rights record, including most recently the widespread reports that the Iranian authorities unlawfully killed, detained, and abused numerous individuals following nation-wide protests that began on December 28, 2017.

The United States remains deeply concerned about the human rights situations in Iran, Syria, Myanmar, the DPRK, Cambodia, and South Sudan, which we address elsewhere in this session.

The United States thanks the Commission of Inquiry for its work. In Burundi, where the situation remains grave, the Government and actors affiliated with it continue to commit serious human rights violations and abuses, some of which the Commission found provide reasonable grounds to believe may amount to crimes against humanity.

We are appalled by the level of brutality and the scale of the atrocities documented by the Commission, including reports of ethnically-based killings of civilians; mass forced displacement; arbitrary detentions, denial of food, torture; recruitment and use of child soldiers; and widespread sexual and gender-based violence.

The depths of depravity to which the Syrian government and its backers will sink is unfathomable.

We applaud the courageous Syrian human rights defenders who, despite grave risks, continue to document atrocities and advocate for peace and justice.

We value your assessment of the human rights situation in Eritrea and your mandate to inform this Council, and we reiterate our desire for the Eritrean government to cooperate with you and with the international community by allowing access to evaluate the situation inside the country first-hand.

The United States is deeply concerned by Myanmar’s cessation of cooperation with the Special Rapporteur and continued non-cooperation with the Fact-Finding Mission. The government should immediately resume cooperation with the Special Rapporteur and allow the Fact-Finding Mission access to Myanmar.

We condemn the Iranian government’s crackdown on protests beginning on December 28. Iranian authorities forcefully repressed peaceful protestors, arrested thousands, with reports of the deaths of over 20 protestors, while the government curbed access to information inside the country.

We remain deeply concerned about the well-being of the North Korean people, who face egregious human rights violations and abuses, including those involving extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, torture, arbitrary arrest and detention, sexual and gender-based violence, and forced labor.

I want to thank Canada and Article 19 for initiating this side-event on protecting freedom of expression and religion for all. The United States was pleased to be a cosponsor. I want to thank the panelists for their insights. I am always impressed by the courage and expertise of advocates like you working on the …

The United States supports efforts to prioritize the needs of children in humanitarian situations. Children are the agents of change, and each day we are reminded that every young person is a key driver of prosperity and freedom.

We remind the Council of the repeated violations and abuses against civilians by the Syrian authorities and their supporters in previous post-ceasefire agreements, documented by numerous UN reports, including those of the Commission of Inquiry.

All of the Russian amendments before us today are an attempt to divert the Council’s attention from the issue at hand: the continued violations of the ceasefire by the regime and its Russian supporters.

On March 2, the UN Human Rights Council interrupted its regular session to hold an urgent debate on the deteriorating human rights situation in Eastern Ghouta, Syria.

The United States is committed to continuing to support governments and civil society in addressing drivers of violent extremism, such as political and social marginalization of particular communities.

Interactive Dialogue on the Joint Study of the Special Adviser of the SG on the Prevention of Genocide and the SR on Truth, Justice, Reparation and Guarantees of Non-Recurrence 37th Session of the Human Rights Council Statement by the Delegation of the United States of America Delivered by David G. Mandel-Anthony, March 2, 2018 Thank …

The United States strongly promotes and protects this right, as set out in Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The United States is committed to continuing to support governments and civil society in addressing drivers of violent extremism, such as political and social marginalization of particular communities.

The United States remains deeply concerned by the continued acts of intimidation and reprisals against human rights defenders around the world on the basis of their cooperation with the United Nations and its human rights mechanisms.

On this 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and 25th anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Program of Action (VDPA), the United States celebrates the importance of these declarations, reaffirms our commitment to the principles enshrined in them, and reflects on the challenges to the universal realization of human rights and …

We encourage Poland to reevaluate the legislation in light of its potential impact on the principle of free speech and on our ability to be effective partners.

Once again, the United States condemns the widespread abuses by Russian occupation authorities in Crimea and Russia’s forces in eastern Ukraine. We thank the Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine for its continued work and reporting, and we also thank the government of Ukraine for its continued close cooperation with this mechanism.

We commend Sri Lanka’s commitment to promoting reconciliation, accountability, and human rights, and welcome progress on returning occupied lands and operationalizing the Office of Missing Persons.

We commend Ukraine’s reform efforts since 2014, undertaken as the country has suffered greatly from acts of Russian aggression.

The United States commends Japan’s work to promote human rights, both domestically and internationally.

We commend the Government of Zambia for reforming the country’s constitution and adopting meaningful changes to electoral clauses and human rights protections, and we encourage its continued implementation.

We recognize Benin’s efforts to protect children from human trafficking.

We commend Pakistan for passing the Hindu Marriage Act, which allows, for the first time, members of the Hindu community to register their marriages.

The United States commends the Republic of Korea for its commitment to the promotion of human rights, but we remain concerned by laws that limit freedom of expression and restrict internet access, including ‎criminal defamation and libel laws.

We commend Guatemala’s progress in prosecuting those responsible for human rights crimes committed during the civil war, in particular in the Sepur Zarco sexual slavery case.

We support Peru’s focus on combating government corruption and its initial investigation of the alleged extrajudicial killings by Peruvian National Police.

We commend Ghana for its commitment to democratic governance and the peaceful transition of power.

The United States remains deeply concerned by the lack of progress on democratization in Gabon.

We commend Argentina’s efforts to eliminate the worst forms of child labor, and its ratification of the 2014 Protocol to ILO Convention 29 on Forced Labor.

The United States commends Czechia for the government’s recent announcement of its intention to remove the pig farm from the former site of the Lety Concentration Camp and properly commemorate the camp’s victims.

The Venezuelan people deserve to have their voices heard through their nation’s Gubernatorial Elections this Sunday, October 15. The United States and the international community are paying close attention to this vote.

We call on the Russian occupation authorities to immediately release Umerov and vacate his conviction. Crimea remains an integral part of Ukraine, and the United States remains steadfast in its support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine.

We urge the Government of Cambodia to immediately release Kem Sokha, and to lift restrictions on independent media and civil society organizations, so that they can continue their important work in support of credible national elections in 2018.

Press Releases: Violence and Death of Burundi Nationals in the Democratic Republic of Congo 09/20/2017 11:20 AM EDT Press Statement Heather Nauert Department Spokesperson Washington, DC September 20, 2017 The U.S. government is dismayed by the violence and death of more than 30 Burundian nationals and a Congolese soldier in Kamanyola, in the Eastern Democratic …

The U.S. thanks the SR and the Chair of EMRIP for their respective studies and presentations.

During the Special Rapporteur’s December 2016 visit to the United States, our federal agencies welcomed the opportunity to outline their efforts on behalf of U.S. indigenous peoples

The United States strives to tangibly improve the lives of indigenous peoples.

We call on the Government of Burundi to ensure that OHCHR can conduct its work free from interference or intimidation.

The United States welcomes the Working Group on Arbitrary Detentions and the Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Slavery.

The United States thanks the Working Group for its positive review of changes in the U.S. efforts to reform the justice system in relation to the deprivation of liberty.

Mr. High Commissioner, we welcome cooperation with you and your office, and we appreciate your efforts.

The United States thanks both mandate holders for their reports.

The United States welcomes the Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearances and Special Rapporteur de Greiff.

The United States is pleased to take part in this interactive dialogue, and appreciates the work EMRIP has done on its preliminary report on implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Indigenous peoples’ effective participation in the UN system has been and continues to be a top priority for the United States.

The U.S. government and U.S. tribal leaders place priority on reforming EMRIP so that it can better help Member States achieve the goals of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

We believe no one anywhere should be prosecuted or imprisoned for exercising their human rights or fundamental freedoms, including the freedoms of expression or peaceful assembly.

This is a significant step in the right direction by the government of Venezuela. We reiterate our call for the full restoration of Mr. Lopez’s liberty and his political rights.

Persistent curbs on freedom of expression erode the foundations of democratic society. More voices, not fewer, are necessary in challenging times.

The United States is pleased to co-sponsor the resolution on protecting human rights while countering terrorism, and urges all states to support this resolution without amendment and by consensus.

The United States makes the following statement to clarify its position on issues that were present in various resolutions during the current Human Rights Council session.

We reject any suggestion that development goals could permit countries to deviate from their human rights obligations and commitments.

As we have previously stated, the United States is deeply concerned by the violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) Kasai Provinces as well as by the political uncertainty in the country, resulting from the DRC government’s failure to hold elections in accordance with the DRC Constitution.

Our statement to be delivered at the end of Item Three will explain our position on this resolution on national policies and human rights.

As we have stated previously, the United States does not agree with attempts to develop a collective “right to peace.”

The United States strongly supports the engagement and participation of civil society organizations and other stakeholders in the work of the Human Rights Council.

Eliminating discrimination against women worldwide is a key foreign policy goal of the United States, as reflected among other programs in the U.S. Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence Globally and our Let Girls Learn initiative.

The United States continues to oppose language that we believe undermines intellectual property rights.

The United States takes its human rights obligations and commitments seriously in cities, just as it does everywhere within its territory.

The United States believes that discussions at the United Nations must consider all types of loving families that exist today, be those families headed by one mother and father, a single parent, a same-sex couple, grandparents, or the many other family structures that provide essential support for raising children and assisting in caring for the …

We reiterate that while the United States fully supports the principle of voluntary choice regarding maternal and child health and family planning, we do not recognize abortion as a method of family planning, nor do we support abortion in our reproductive health assistance. print

In joining consensus on the resolution, we would like to clarify our views on several elements in the text.

A/HRC/35/L.15 Explanation of Position by the United States of America Statement by the Delegation of the United States of America, as delivered by Jason Mack UN Human Rights Council – 35th Session Geneva, June 22, 2017 The United States strongly supports the spirit of this resolution and joins other members of this Council in condemning all acts …

The United States encourages governments facing serious human rights challenges to allow for the establishment of OHCHR country offices to help them address those challenges.

The United States commends the continued work of the Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, and the cooperation between the Mission and the government of Ukraine.

The United States recognizes the progress Côte d’Ivoire has made since its peaceful 2015 elections.

The United States appreciates the Special Rapporteur’s six years of research and his work in this position to counter and prevent racism and racial discrimination.

At a time when members of civil society are under attack, the United States stands firm in our commitment to support a pluralistic and robust civil society, to include support of those who experience reprisals for their engagement in this Council.

Since its establishment, the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process has provided a unique mechanism to promote accountability for human rights commitments.

The United States remains deeply concerned about the human rights situations in Syria, Myanmar, Belarus, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and regions of Ukraine not under government control, which we will address elsewhere during this session.

We are concerned by her reports of grave human rights violations and abuses against Rohingya Muslims in northern Rakhine State.

It is important that the Human Rights Council continue its efforts to monitor the human rights situation in Eritrea and to identify ways to improve that situation.

We call attention to the Commission’s thorough documentation of the massive, methodical nature of deaths in State-controlled detention facilities, which the Commission concludes are crimes against humanity.

We remain concerned by the Special Rapporteur’s reports that the government continues to block and punish expressions of dissent.

Because men and boys may be partners, caregivers, decision-makers, or potential perpetrators of violence, their perceptions and potential roles must be considered in efforts to address gender-based violence.

The United States appreciates Special Rapporteur Kaye’s continued work on freedom of opinion and expression.

States should establish measures to identify and respond to the special needs of young migrants, including unaccompanied children, and those who have been subjected to forced labor or sex trafficking, including children conscripted by armed groups.

The United States remains committed to addressing all forms of trafficking, including for the purpose of labor exploitation, and to providing protection and assistance to all victims of human trafficking.

The Working Group’s report on good practices emphasizes that laws are essential in addressing discrimination against women. But they need to be accompanied by sustained implementation efforts, robust civil society advocacy, gender-sensitive discrimination education, and attitudinal and behavioral change to result in real improvements.

The United States thanks the Special Rapporteurs for their reports. We look forward to welcoming Mr. Alston to the United States for a country visit in December.

The United States is deeply concerned by the recent detention of Taner Kiliç, Chair of Amnesty International Turkey—the latest in a series of respected human rights defenders, journalists, academics, and activists detained in Turkey.

Human Rights Council resolutions can give hope to people who are fighting for justice, democracy, and human rights, and they can pave the way for accountability.