Second Term on Human Rights Council a Win for U.S.-UN Engagement

WASHINGTON –Following yesterday’s announcement that the United States has won a second term to the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC)--elected with the most votes of any nation within the Western European and Others Group (WEOG)—Patrick Madden, Executive Director of the United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA), issued the following statement:

“Human rights are at the forefront of the UNA-USA agenda. The reelection of the United States to the United Nations Human Rights Council affirms America’s role as a leader in helping secure human rights for all, a position bolstered by Americans’ views of how their country should operate on the world stage, and by the active support of UNA-USA members across the country. 

“U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan E. Rice said following the vote, ‘U.S. leadership in the Human Rights Council and throughout the United Nations system will continue to pay real dividends for Americans and for the rest of the world.’

“In the three years since the U.S. was first elected to the Council, it has worked collaboratively with other Council members to address human rights crises in areas around the globe, including Libya and Syria; establish a special rapporteur to assess human rights violations in Iran; pass resolutions on the need to protect the rights of women and girls; break new ground concerning the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons (LGBT); and enshrine freedom of expression on the Internet, among many other accomplishments.

“Yesterday’s reelection marks another step in robust U.S. engagement at the UN and one of its most important bodies. UNA-USA and its members will continue to advocate Congress and the Administration for U.S. leadership on human rights and effective engagement at the United Nations.”