Speech

UN Human Rights Council 46: UK statement for the Universal Periodic Review Adoption - United States of America

The UK's Ambassador to the WTO and UN in Geneva, Julian Braithwaite, delivered this statement during the Universal Periodic Review Adoption for the United States of America.

• From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Julian Braithwaite
• Published: 17 March 2021

This was published under the 2019 to 2022 Johnson Conservative government

• Location: Geneva, Switzerland
• Delivered on: 17 March 2021 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

Thank you, Madam President.

The United Kingdom welcomes the engagement of the United States of America with the Universal Periodic Review process and its commitment to promoting and protecting human rights, both at home and around the world.

We welcome the US’ acceptance of two of our three recommendations. Namely, the recommendation to work with State and local government on best practice for police use of force and improving the relationship between law enforcement and the communities which they serve.

We are also pleased by the US’ acceptance of our recommendation to clarify its approach to ensuring access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services. We hope that the US can go further and clarify its interpretation of the Helms Amendment, and ensure universal access to safe abortion care.

The UK notes that the US did not accept our recommendation to ratify the 2014 ILO Protocol to the Forced Labour Convention. We hope that the US will re-consider and take steps to ratify the Protocol in due course.

Thank you.

Published 17 March 2021