At the 35th Session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva from June 6-23, U.S. leadership proved critical to shaping the international response to urgent human rights situations. U.S. Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Nikki Haley attended the opening of the session and confirmed the U.S. commitment to human rights while reinvigorating discussions on reform of the HRC. In her address in the HRC chamber and a speech at the Graduate Institute in Geneva, Ambassador Haley laid out the United States’ position on future involvement with the Human Rights Council. She highlighted the need for reform of the HRC to make it more effective and accountable, including by eliminating the biased agenda item focused solely on Israel. She underscored the need for the HRC to focus international attention and action on the worst human rights violators, including through reforms to the Council’s membership, and the need for members to show leadership in cooperating with UN human rights mechanisms. The United States joined 47 other states in signing a Dutch-led joint statement proposing measures to improve the Council’s membership and strengthen its credibility.

Democratic Republic of Congo: The United States joined consensus on a resolution establishing an international team that will investigate reports of atrocities occurring in the Kasai provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and we issued a strong statement calling for the Government of the DRC to cooperate with the investigation, provide it unhindered access to all areas of the country, ensure the safety of all who cooperate with it, including victims and witnesses, and ensure accountability for all perpetrators of human rights violations and abuses, regardless of their political affiliation.

Venezuela: On June 6, the United States sponsored (with co-sponsors UK, Georgia, and Israel) a landmark side event on Venezuela to draw attention to the deteriorating human rights situation there. Ambassador Haley provided opening remarks, which were followed by a panel discussion among four human rights defenders from Venezuela and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights’ (IACHR) Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression. Following the event, the United States condemned reprisals by the Venezuelan delegation against two of the panelists.

Gender Equality: The United States joined consensus on resolutions on eliminating violence against women and discrimination against women and girls. We also co-sponsored resolutions to extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteurs on trafficking in persons and on child, early, and forced marriage in humanitarian settings.

Other Country-specific Resolutions: The United States co-sponsored a resolution on the egregious violations and abuses of human rights in Syria, particularly violations by the government. We also co-sponsored a resolution welcoming the Ukrainian government’s cooperation with UN human rights monitors. The United States continued our strong support for the mandates of the special rapporteurs on Belarus and on the situation of human rights in Eritrea, and we supported a Presidential Statement on Cote d’Ivoire to encourage continued cooperation between the government and the UN on human rights.

Other Thematic Resolutions: The United States cosponsored resolutions on protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism and to extend the mandates of the Special Rapporteurs on the rights of persons with disabilities and on the independence of judges and lawyers, as well as of the Working Group on human rights and transnational corporations.

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With the objective of maximizing national security, the Department of State will implement Executive Order 13780, “Protecting the Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into the United States” in an orderly fashion, consistent with the Supreme Court’s unanimous order, and in accordance with the Presidential Memorandum issued on June 14, 2017, which directs us to begin implementation 72 hours after the stay.

The Department of State will provide additional details on implementation after consultation with the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security.

We will keep those traveling to the United States and partners in the travel industry informed as we implement the order in a professional, organized, and timely way. We are also in contact with our partners in the implementation of the United States Refugee Admissions Program, and will keep them apprised of changes as they take effect.

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External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.

On behalf of the citizens of the United States of America, congratulations to the people of Madagascar as you celebrate the anniversary of your independence on June 26.

The American people honor our relationship with Madagascar and its people, and we strongly support our mutual efforts to assure regional and international security, improve and sustain economic development, and protect the health and dignity of all people.

The Office of Website Management, Bureau of Public Affairs, manages this site as a portal for information from the U.S. State Department.
External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will unveil the 2017 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report at 10:30 a.m. on June 27, 2017, at the U.S. Department of State and will be joined by Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump.

As required by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, the TIP Report assesses government efforts around the world to combat human trafficking. This year’s Report, the 17th installment, includes narratives for 187 countries and territories, including the United States.

During the ceremony, Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump, who has taken a leadership role at the White House to combat human trafficking, will honor the 2017 TIP Report Heroes, eight men and women from around the globe whose tireless efforts have made a lasting impact on the fight against modern slavery. Following the ceremony, the Heroes will travel to cities across the United States to engage with the American people through an International Visitor Leadership Program.

This event will be open to credentialed members of the press. The event will be streamed live on www.state.gov.

Preset time for video cameras: 9:45 a.m. from the 23rd Street Entrance Lobby.

Final access time for journalists and still photographers: 10:00 a.m. from the 23rd Street Entrance Lobby.

Media representatives may attend this event upon presentation of one of the following: (1) A U.S. Government-issued identification card (Department of State, White House, Congress, Department of Defense or Foreign Press Center), (2) a media-issued photo identification card, or (3) a letter from their employer on letterhead verifying their employment as a journalist, accompanied by an official photo identification card (driver’s license, passport).

For more information, contact Mai Shiozaki in the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons at shiozakim@state.gov or 202-312-9855. Also, visit http://www.state.gov/j/tip/ or @JTIP_State on Twitter. Follow #EndTrafficking and #TipReport for news and updates.

The Office of Website Management, Bureau of Public Affairs, manages this site as a portal for information from the U.S. State Department.
External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.

Christopher Painter, Coordinator for Cyber Issues at the U.S. Department of State, will travel to Tel Aviv from June 25-29 for Cyber Week 2017, which is Israel’s premier cybersecurity conference. As part of the conference, Mr. Painter will join other senior leaders to discuss questions around the intersection between sovereignty and cybersecurity. Mr. Painter will also engage in bilateral meetings with senior Israeli government officials.

For updates, follow Coordinator Painter at @State_Cyber on Twitter. Please send interview requests to SCCI_Press@state.gov.

The Office of Website Management, Bureau of Public Affairs, manages this site as a portal for information from the U.S. State Department.
External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.