Statement on Agenda Item 61 ‘Assistance to refugees, returnees and displaced persons in Africa’

Courtney R. Nemroff
Acting U.S. Representative to the Economic and Social Council
U.S. Mission to the United Nations
New York, New York
November 18, 2019

AS DELIVERED

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The United States is pleased to co-sponsor this resolution. We fully support it. Our support in fact reflects our deep concern about the plight of millions of persons displaced across the African continent due to conflict and violence, and the millions more displaced as a result of natural disasters. It also arises from our concern that high rates of internal displacement continue each year and that this resolution to displacement remains out of reach for very many. The United States continues to believe that more is required to elevate the issues facing displaced persons within the United Nations and globally and we see this resolution as a concrete effort to do just that. 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 7 statement for other issues raised by the resolution, including the fact that UN General Assembly resolutions are non-binding that do not create or alter rights or obligations under international law.

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