At present begins the UN Human Rights Council’s 52nd common session. America returned to the physique in January 2022 as a full member, fulfilling a pledge made by President Biden and reflecting the centrality of human rights and multilateralism to our nation’s international coverage.
This yr marks 75 years for the reason that adoption of the Common Declaration of Human Rights and 30 years for the reason that adoption of the Vienna Declaration – two milestone paperwork that proceed to information the work of the Council.
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken will ship video remarks to the assembled Human Rights Council and can use that chance to reiterate that human rights are common, and we should proceed to advance financial, social, and cultural rights overseas and at dwelling.
Not often has there been a time when delivering on our dedication to human rights has been extra pressing. The challenges are many and embody Russia persevering with its brutal warfare of aggression and crimes towards humanity in Ukraine, abhorrent Taliban repression of girls and ladies, and the Individuals’s Republic of China’s ongoing genocide and crimes towards humanity in Xinjiang. Moreover, the repression towards peaceable protestors in Iran, significantly girls and ladies, should cease. Iranians have the precise to freedom and justice. On all of those abuses and extra, we should act with renewed vigor. Now greater than ever, the Council should proceed to do what is critical to uphold the UN Constitution and the Common Declaration of Human Rights. The world is watching.
U.S. Ambassador and Consultant to the UN Human Rights Council Michèle Taylor will head the U.S. delegation at this session. Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Appearing Assistant Secretary Erin Barclay will be a part of the delegation in Geneva February 27-March 1 for conferences with high-level counterparts and worldwide humanitarian companions.
