US rejoins the UN Human Rights Council, paving way for further tension with Beijing
- Washington received 168 votes out of a possible 193 at the UN General Assembly to serve on the council
- Washington will press ahead on a broad range of issues, from rights violations in countries such as China, Afghanistan and Syria, says US ambassador to the UN
Washington received 168 votes out of a possible 193 at the UN General Assembly to serve on the council, based in Geneva.
“Having fulfilled President Biden’s campaign pledge to rejoin the Human Rights Council, we can work to ensure this body lives up to these principles,” said US ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield minutes after Thursday’s vote.
Washington will press ahead on a broad range of issues, from rights violations in countries such as China, Afghanistan and Syria, to broader themes, including women’s rights, racial and ethnic injustice and violence against minority groups, she said.
“Finally, we will press against the election of countries with egregious human rights records and encourage those committed to promoting and protecting human rights both in their own countries and abroad to seek membership,” Thomas-Greenfield added.
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