Nicholas Hill
Deputy U.S. Representative for ECOSOC
New York, New York
November 12, 2021
AS DELIVERED
The United States deplores violence against women, including against migrant women workers. We engaged constructively in this negotiation and regret the decision to remove language on sexual and reproductive health services, which is a critical element especially in a text focused on COVID-19, where we have seen a rise in gender-based violence against women migrant workers. We also regret the decision to remove a factual reference to the Generation Equality Forum and the lack of delegations’ flexibility in retaining this important reference. U.S. federal laws and policies contain strong provisions to combat violence against women, including women migrants, and have many protections for migrant workers. We also have a range of legal authorities and policy initiatives to protect and assist victims of trafficking in persons, including forced labor.
We refer you to the U.S. Third Committee general statement, which will be posted on our website at the end of this session, regarding references to economic, social, and cultural rights and consular notification issues.
The United States does not understand this resolution to create any new rights under international human rights law, including with respect to family life (para. 9) and access to emergency health care (para. 22).
With regard to preambular paragraph 13, the United States notes that harassment, while condemnable, is not necessarily violent. Under U.S. law, the term violence refers to physical force or the threat of physical force.
Thank you.
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