Timothy Johnson
U.S. Adviser for the Third Committee
New York, New York
November 14, 2023
AS DELIVERED
Thank you Chair.
The United States is proud to serve as a member of the UN Human Rights Council. During this year as a Council member, the United States engaged robustly and supported resolutions furthering respect for and protection of human rights globally. It is our abiding belief that the multilateral system serves as the best vehicle to promote respect for, and protection of, human rights around the world. We look forward to the third year of our term on the Council and working with all Member States of the United Nations to strengthen respect for human rights around the world.
As we have noted over many years in this committee, the United States regards the annual resolution on the Report of the Human Rights Council as procedurally unnecessary.
Moreover, the United States strongly objects to the Human Rights Council’s continued disproportionate focus on Israel, including the existence of a separate agenda item and the establishment of an open-ended Commission of Inquiry on Israel, neither of which exist for any other country; in addition, we have concerns regarding certain other resolutions adopted over the past year.
We continue to believe that the membership of some states with especially poor human rights records undermines the credibility of the Council and the promotion of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Thank you.
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