May 23, 2023
Statement by Michelle Taylor, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Human Rights Council, relating to the appointment of the Iranian Ambassador as Chair of the Social Forum
The United States is appalled that Iran’s ambassador in Geneva could function chair and rapporteur of the Social Forum, an annual assembly in Geneva established by a UN Human Rights Council decision, to be held in November .
While we acknowledge the precept of regional rotation in such roles, such practices shouldn’t take priority over selling respect for human rights and accountability. The appointment of a consultant from a rustic with such a deplorable human rights report severely undermines the credibility and goal of each the UN Human Rights Council and the Social Forum. A latest report by UN Special Rapporteur Jaid Rehman highlighted widespread human rights abuses and abuses in Iran, together with state-sanctioned violence in opposition to girls and ladies, abstract executions of peaceable protesters, and suppression of freedom of expression. It exposes the cruel actuality and suggests the next prospects. A criminal offense in opposition to humanity.
The United States has lengthy held the view that annual social boards held on the sidelines of the United Nations Human Rights Council have restricted usefulness and are an pointless waste of sources. The appointment of an Iranian consultant to chair the discussion board solely underlines this evaluation. This 12 months’s coverage, which is meant to concentrate on the position of science, expertise and innovation in selling human rights after the pandemic, seems hole and deeply worrying in gentle of this appointment. It is abhorrent that Iran, which is infamous for abusing these very instruments to suppress human rights and curtail freedom of expression, ought to take management of this and different human rights-related occasions.
We name on all United Nations Human Rights Council Member States and Observer States to prioritize the Council’s credibility and integrity by making choices that really embody the rules and values this physique represents. Masu. This appointment displays the pressing want for reform inside the United Nations human rights system to make sure that international locations that commit severe human rights abuses and abuses should not held in management positions which can be opposite to the United Nations’ core mission and values. is additional highlighted.
Our dedication to defending and selling human rights around the globe stays unwavering. This growth reinforces the significance of those basic values and encourages us to talk out strongly in opposition to any motion that violates them. The United States will proceed to make use of our place on the Council to reveal this disregard for the elemental values and rules of the United Nations system and to advocate for extra dependable appointments, extra accountability, and transparency. We will proceed to work towards a more practical United Nations Human Rights Council. .