Nicholas Hill
Deputy U.S. Representative to ECOSOC
New York, New York
November 5, 2021
AS DELIVERED
Chair – The United States is grateful to once again be elected to serve as a member of the UN Human Rights Council. It is our abiding belief that the multilateral system serves as the best vehicle to promote respect for, and protection of, human rights around the world. We look forward to taking our seat on January 1, 2022 and working with all member states of the General Assembly to strengthen respect for human rights around the world.
As we have noted over many years in this committee, the United States regards the annual resolution on the Report of the Human Rights Council as procedurally unnecessary. Moreover, the United States strongly objects to the Human Rights Council’s continued disproportionate focus on Israel, including, for the first time in the Council’s history, establishing an open-ended Commission of Inquiry, on Israel; in addition, we have concerns regarding certain other resolutions adopted over the past year. We also continue to believe that the membership of some states with especially poor human rights records undermines the credibility of the Council and the promotion of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. Thank you.
USDEL should immediately notify Washington of proposed changes to the text by other delegations.
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