Mordica Simpson
Advisor for Economic and Social Affairs
U.S. Mission to the United Nations
New York, New York
November 19, 2020
AS DELIVERED
The United States supports this resolution on “Assistance to refugees, returnees and displaced persons in Africa.”
The United States remains concerned over the increasing number of displaced persons either from conflict or natural disasters within the African continent. The global pandemic has only exacerbated the vulnerability and increased the needs of displaced persons in addition to limiting efforts to respond to and end displacement.
The United States continues to believe that more is required to elevate the issues facing displaced persons within the United Nations and globally and sees this resolution as a concrete effort to do just that. To support innovative and durable solutions to displacement, we encourage global support for the efforts of the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Internal displacement which we expect to increase global attention on internal displacement and develop concrete recommendations to better prevent, respond to, and achieve solutions to internal displacement.
We also believe that States should investigate, and where appropriate, prosecute crimes against humanitarian personnel in their territory and subject to their jurisdiction.
Finally, we refer to our November 13 global statement for other issues raised by the resolution, including the fact that UN General Assembly resolutions are non-binding documents that do not create or alter rights or obligations under international law.
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