This leads us to several pressing questions, which must inform this committee’s preparatory work for the upcoming OAS General Assembly in Lima – in essence, how can we seek social justice and peace amidst shrinking civic space, corruption, the challenges of COVID-19 both as it pertains to public health but also the threats the pandemic has posed to people’s exercise of their human rights, and the fundamental need to promote and protect human rights? These are just a few examples of a broader trend towards polarization on social and political issues in the Americas, which has been reaffirmed by today’s speakers. There is also an increasing level of gender discrimination in the region, with alarming rates of femicide. The Inter-American Democratic Charter in particular articulates the mutually reinforcing relationship between the enjoyment of human rights and strengthened, participatory democracies.Īnd yet, as we have heard many times during this 5th Inter-American Week for Indigenous Peoples, multiple forms of discrimination persist throughout our region, including in my own country - which can include racial and ethnic discrimination, often leading to conflict and violence. It’s worth emphasizing that these international conventions, declarations, charters and agendas have been strongly embraced by many OAS states. These obligations and commitments serve to also underpin the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 16 on peaceful and inclusive societies and SDG 4 on inclusive and equitable quality education, target 4.7 of which prioritizes education for sustainable development, human rights and peace. This has been reinforced in our region by the American Declaration on the Rights and Duties of Man, the American Convention, the OAS Charter and the Inter American Democratic Charter. Vice Chair and distinguished colleagues, there has been widespread consensus that “recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.” Since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, Mr. I want to thank all of the speakers for their remarks, and to the Secretariat for its ongoing support of our work in this committee. Vice Chair for the opportunity to provide closing remarks on behalf of the United States, which was pleased to support the holding and organization of today’s timely special session. Office of Multilateral and Global Affairsīureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
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