In Belarus, the Lukashenka regime is brutally repressing civil society and the country’s pro-democracy movement, using transnational repression to silence its critics abroad, and enabling Russia’s invasion. In recent days, Belarussian authorities have detained hundreds of people demonstrating peacefully against Russia’s attack.
In China, the government continues to commit genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang against predominantly Muslim Uyghurs and other minority groups, and we urge the UN High Commissioner to release without delay her report on the situation there.
We must redouble our efforts to address the growing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, and press the Taliban to respect the rights of all Afghans, including by stopping the unjust detentions of women protestors and journalists, ending reprisals, and allowing all Afghans to be educated and work in every sector.
The human rights crises in Burma, Cuba, the DPRK, Iran, Nicaragua, South Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen, among others, also demand the UN Council’s ongoing attention.
In each of these places, the UN Council must not only denounce abuses, but work to stop them and hold perpetrators accountable.
Yet at a moment when the world needs both moral clarity and unity from this Council, some governments are arguing that sovereignty gives countries the right to do whatever they want within their borders. It’s no coincidence that many of the governments making this argument are systematically abusing human rights – and have been eerily silent in the face of Russia’s flagrant assault on Ukraine’s sovereignty.
The UN Universal Declaration begins with the word “universal” because nations decided there are certain rights that every person, everywhere, is entitled to enjoy. Members of the UN Human Rights Council have a special responsibility to strengthen – not weaken – those rights.
One way to do that is by welcoming scrutiny of our own records. In September, the United States issued a formal, standing invitation to all UN experts who report and advise on thematic human rights issues. We urge every Council member to take this step.
We know that we have work to do to advance human rights at home. Every member does. What matters is that we all hold ourselves to the same standards, and work to address our shortcomings, as we are doing.
Here’s what else you can expect from the United States on the UN Human Right Council.
First, we’re committed to working with other countries, including those we don’t always agree with, to advance human rights, as members have seen in their engagements with our Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Ambassador Sheba Crocker, and our new ambassador to the Human Rights Council, Michele Taylor.
Second, we’ve heard repeatedly that the United States has often focused more on strengthening civil and political rights than we have on strengthening economic, social, and cultural rights. People around the world are looking to us to do both – and we hear that call.
Third, we will continue to counter anti-Israel bias and the unfair and disproportionate focus on Israel on the Council. The Commission of Inquiry and standing Agenda Item 7 are a stain on the Council’s credibility, and we strongly reject them.
Fourth, we will keep fighting for the human rights of LGBTQI+ people; people with disabilities; members of racial, ethnic, and religious minorities; women and girls; and all marginalized populations and people in vulnerable situations.
In recent days, people on every continent have come out to demonstrate against Russia’s invasion – and for the rights of Ukrainians. They get that if we allow the rules of the international order to be flagrantly trampled anywhere, we weaken them everywhere. As an Estonian student protester put it, “If Ukraine is not a country… then [President Putin] can say Estonia is not a country either.”
We stand for these rules not in opposition to any government. But rather because we see our shared interest in striving for a world where all people, of all nations, enjoy human rights and peace and security. And because history has shown us the darkness and suffering that comes when these rules are abandoned.
People in Ukraine and around the world are looking to us to stand up and stand together. We must not let them down.
I'm looking forward to staying connected in the months to come. And I'd love to hear your thoughts – please share them by writing to me and my team at EmailTeam@State.gov.
Sincerely,
Secretary Antony J. Blinken
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