Julie Lelek
Advisor for Economic and Social Affairs
New York, New York
October 21, 2021
AS DELIVERED
Thank you, Madam Special Rapporteur, for your report.
The United States condemns countries that persecute and discriminate against individuals on the basis of their ethnic, religious, and cultural identities. We strongly encourage countries to reject acts that repress cultural rights. Cultural rights and human rights should be enjoyed equally by all without fear of discrimination.
We are particularly concerned by the erasure and suppression of the cultural rights of marginalized persons including cultural right defenders, indigenous persons, and members of minority groups.
The United States continues to be deeply concerned by the ongoing repression by the Chinese Communist Party of ethnic, religious, and cultural identities of minority groups in China.
We call for the protection and promotion of the human rights of Uyghurs and members of other ethnic and religious minority groups from Xinjiang, as well as Tibetans.
To end with a question: What are best practices for fostering accountability, domestically and internationally, in protecting and promoting cultural rights?
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