Fact Sheet: Key Outcomes of U.S. Priorities at the UN Human Rights Council’s 33rd Session

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Although the United States is not a voting member of the UN Human Rights Council this year – taking a mandatory year off, while standing for election on October 28 for the 2017-2019 term – it is sustaining robust engagement in the Council and working with countries from all regions to address urgent human rights situations and issues. At the Council’s 33rd Session in Geneva from September 13-30, U.S. leadership proved critical to shaping the international community’s response to these challenges.

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Ambassador Harper: Closing Statement at the 33rd Session of the Human Rights Council

The United Nations Human Rights Council opened its 33rd Session today.  The U.S. Delegation, headed by Ambassador Keith Harper, looks forward to working with partners to highlight critical human rights siutations around the world.  

U.S. Mission Photo/Eric Bridiers

The U.S. congratulates the Council for the groundbreaking appointment of the independent expert on violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

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Ambassador Harper: Statement at the General Debate on Technical Assistance & Cooperation

We note the High Commissioner’s recent report on Yemen. We are particularly concerned by the loss of life, damage to critical infrastructure, and disruption of humanitarian assistance caused by the conflict between the Government and the Houthis.

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Ambassador Harper: Statement on the Report of the Special Rapporteur for Cambodia

The United States expresses its appreciation for the report of the Special Rapporteur. We are pleased to see the successes cited in the report, including the meeting of Millennium Development Goals, sustained economic growth, and improvements in education and health care.

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Joint Statement on Venezuela at the Human Rights Council

We also share the concerns presented by the High Commissioner about the grave and repeated reports of repression of the voices of the opposition and members of the Venezuelan civil society, those of arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances and use of excessive force against peaceful protesters and journalists; as we request the early release of persons arrested for political reasons.

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Interactive Dialogue with the Independent Expert on Somalia

Let me begin by affirming that the United States remains committed to supporting Somalia’s transition toward peace, prosperity, and democracy.

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Item 10: Dialogue with the Independent Expert on Sudan

We welcome the Independent Expert and his recent report. We support his call on the Government of Sudan to create an environment conducive to credible and inclusive national political dialogue with the active participation of all stakeholders in order to advance peace, reconciliation and governance reforms in the Sudan.

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ID on Oral Update of the High Commissioner on the Human Rights Situation in Libya

Oral Update on Libya Statement by the Delegation of the United States of America as delivered by Jessica Carl Human Rights Council 33rd Session Geneva, September 28, 2016 Mr. President, We fully support the efforts of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and UN Special Representative Kobler’s efforts in Libya.  We believe […]

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Ambassador Harper: Statement at the Presentation of the Independent Experts’ Report on Burundi

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We firmly believe that this crisis can and must be resolved, or Burundi risks descending into further conflict, including the possibility of mass atrocities. The dialogue currently led by the East African Community (EAC) and mediated by former Tanzanian President Mkapa represents the best avenue for reaching a peaceful resolution to the crisis and restoring stability in Burundi.

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Human Rights Council Interactive Dialogue on the Democratic Republic of Congo

The past two years have seen increased repression and the closing of political space by the Democratic Republic of Congo government.

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