52nd session of the UN Human Rights Council
The 52nd ordinary session of the UN Human Rights Council begins today. The United States returned to the body as a full member in January 2022, fulfilling a promise made by President Biden and reflecting the centrality of human rights and multilateralism to our nation’s foreign policy.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 30th anniversary of the Vienna Declaration – two landmark documents that continue to guide the work of the Council.
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken will make a video address to the assembled Human Rights Council, taking this opportunity to reiterate that human rights are universal and we must continue to advance economic, social and cultural rights at home and abroad.
Rarely has it been more urgent to implement our commitment to human rights. The challenges are many and include Russia’s continued brutal war of aggression and crimes against humanity in Ukraine, the Taliban’s heinous oppression of women and girls, and the People’s Republic of China’s ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang. In addition, the repression of peaceful protesters in Iran, especially women and girls, must stop. Iranians have the right to freedom and justice. With all these abuses and more, we must act with renewed vigour. Now more than ever, the Council must do what is necessary to uphold the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The world is watching.
US Ambassador and Representative to the UN Human Rights Council Michèle Taylor will lead the US delegation to this session. Deputy Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Erin Barclay will join the delegation for meetings with senior counterparts and international humanitarian partners in Geneva from February 27 to March 1.
