Item 10 General Debate 

Delegation of the United States of America

Statement by Ambassador Michèle Taylor

Human Rights Council 52nd Session

Thank you, Mr. Vice President.

We value OHCHR’s work to help countries improve their capacity to address human rights challenges within their borders, just as we laud many countries’ earnest efforts to improve conditions.

We appreciated the High Commissioner’s recent visit to Haiti and strongly support efforts to shine a spotlight on the troubling human rights challenges exacerbated by rampant gang-related violence. We welcome the High Commissioner’s insights on what this Council can do to help the people of Haiti.

We urge Libyan authorities to engage with OHCHR and adopt the recommendations provided by the Fact-Finding Mission in Libya, particularly on accountability, the abuses of migrants, the judiciary, protection of civic space, including the work of human rights defenders, and the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association.

The United States strongly supports OHCHR reporting in Yemen. Justice, accountability, and redress for human rights abuses and violations are key to ensuring a durable peace that enjoys broad support among Yemenis. We call on all parties to the conflict to facilitate access for the investigation of human rights abuses and violations.

We are alarmed by the restrictive political environment in Cambodia that includes threats and prosecution of opposition political leaders and civil society, as well as the progressive dismantlement of the free press, and urge Cambodia to reopen civic and political space before the 2023 elections. That said, we commend Cambodia’s willingness to welcome the UN Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

In Mali, we remain deeply concerned about the destabilizing activities of the Russia-backed Wagner Group, which, in fighting alongside the Malian government, has severely violated the human rights of civilians. We encourage OHCHR and MINUSMA to release without delay their reports on the March 2022 Moura massacre.

I thank you.

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