UNITED STATES MISSION TO THE UNITED NATIONS
Office of Press and Public Diplomacy
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 18, 2017
Ambassador Nikki Haley Chairs Historic UN Security Council Thematic Debate on Human Rights
As president of the United Nations Security Council, Ambassador Nikki Haley, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, chaired a thematic debate on human rights. The debate marked the first time the Security Council held a meeting dedicated exclusively to human rights and its link to international peace and security, giving Security Council members the opportunity to reflect on the way the Council directly addresses human rights issues in its work.
“If this Council fails to take human rights violations and abuses seriously, they can escalate into real threats to international peace and security. The Security Council cannot continue to be silent when we see widespread violations of human rights. Why would we tell ourselves that we will only deal with questions of peace and security, without addressing the factors that bring about the threats in the first place? We should be ready to engage early and often, in the statements we make, and in the measures we impose. It is clear that the connection between human rights and security is a topic worthy of this Council’s serious consideration.”
“We don’t know where the next revolt against basic violations of humanity will come. But we know from history that they will come. And when they do, the Security Council will be called upon to react. We are much better off acting on the front end, standing for human rights before the absence of human rights forces us to react. It’s past time for this Council to fulfill the mandate we were given 72 years ago. It’s past time that we dedicate ourselves to promoting peace, security, and human rights.”
Full video and transcript: https://go.usa.gov/x53Ej
