Jason Mack
Counselor for Economic and Social Affairs
U.S. Mission to the United Nations
New York City
July 25, 2019
AS DELIVERED
Thank you Mr. President,
The United States joins consensus on this resolution on the International Year for the Elimination of Child Labor. We envision a world in which all children are free from deprivation, violence, and danger, regardless of religious affiliation, ethnicity, disability, or other factors.
The United States does not, however, share the view that the Convention on the Rights of the Child “constitutes the standard” for child protection.
We join consensus on this resolution with the express understanding that it does not imply that States must become parties to instruments to which they are not a party, or implement obligations under human rights instruments to which they are not a party, including, in the case of the United States, the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Furthermore, to the extent that it is implied in this resolution, the United States does not recognize the creation of any new rights we have not previously recognized; the expansion of the content or coverage of existing rights; or any other changes to its or other States’ obligations under the current state of treaty or customary international law or under the current state of domestic law that implements such treaty or customary international law.
Thank you.
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