Jason Mack
Counselor
U.S. Mission to the United Nations
New York, New York
November 7, 2019
AS DELIVERED
Chair, today the United States expresses opposition to this resolution, a document most notable for its thinly veiled attempts to legitimize longstanding Russian disinformation narratives smearing neighboring nations under the cynical guise of halting Nazi glorification.
The United States, which together with our democratic Allies, made decisive contributions to the victory over Nazi Germany in 1945, condemns the glorification of Nazism and all modern forms of racism, xenophobia, discrimination, and related intolerance. We do so while maintaining our steadfast commitment to freedom of expression. In fighting against the murderous tyranny of Nazism, the United States also fought for the freedom and human rights of all – including the right to freedoms of expression, association and peaceful assembly.
The United States Supreme Court has affirmed the constitutional right to freedoms of expression, association and the right to peaceful assembly, including of self-avowed Nazis, whose hatred and xenophobia are widely derided by the American people. At the same time, we steadfastly defend the constitutional rights of those who exercise their rights to combat intolerance and express strong opposition to the odious Nazi creed and others who espouse hatred.
The United States has voted against each new version of this resolution since 2005. Despite our good faith efforts this year to negotiate with the Russian delegation and the past two years’ efforts at revisions and amendments to protect against unacceptable restrictions on freedom of expression, our recommendations intended to improve and strengthen this resolution have been intentionally ignored. We discourage States from invoking Article 4 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and Article 20 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in an attempt to either silence unwelcome opinions or to excuse their failure to combat intolerance.
The United States is again, compelled to vote “No” on this resolution and calls on other States to do the same.
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