29 April 2009
State’s Atul Keshap Discusses Bid for Human Rights Council Seat
CO.NX webchat transcript, April 29
Atul Keshap, director of the Office of Human Rights, Humanitarian and Social Affairs at the State Department, answered questions in an April 29 CO.NX webchat on the U.S. candidacy for a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council.
Following is the transcript:
(begin transcript)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of International Information Programs
Webchat Transcript
CO.NX Webchat: The U.S. Bid for a Seat on the UN Human Rights Council
Guest: Atul Keshap, Director
Date: April 29, 2009
Time: 09:30 a.m. EDT (1330 GMT)
CO.NX Moderator (Kristin): Please join us on April 29 at 09:30 EDT/13:30 GMT to discuss the U.S. bid for a seat on the UN Human Rights Council with Director Keshap.
CO.NX Moderator (Kristin): We are taking your questions now. Once submitted, they will appear in red. We look forward to seeing you in our live event!
CO.NX Moderator (Kristin): We will begin our chat with Mr. Keshap in 30 minutes. Thanks for joining us today. Please continue to submit your questions here.
CO.NX Moderator (Kristin): We are now joined by Atul Kehsap, Director of the Office of Human Rights, Humanitarian, and Social Affairs. Please continue to submit your questions and comments. We will now begin our chat.
Atul Keshap: Good morning to everyone in the USA and good afternoon and evening to folks around the world. Thank you for joining me today for a webchat discussion of the U.S. candidacy for a seat on the Human Rights Council and the Obama Administration's firm commitment to upholding the highest standards of human rights around the world. I look forward to answering your questions and hearing your views.
Question [Humanrights]: Why does the US wish to jon the council? what does the US wish to gain?
Answer [Atul Keshap]: I'm very pleased that the Obama Administration announced March 31 that the United States would seek election to a seat on the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. The Obama Administration has made this decision as a result of its strong desire to see the Council protect the human rights of all people around the world, and to work with all of the members of the United Nations, and particularly the 47 members of the Human Rights Council to ensure that the human rights of all are protected.
Responsible U.S. membership and leadership on the Council advances not just American values, but universally held beliefs about the sanctity of human rights. Human rights has been at the center of U.S. foreign policy for a long time, and by running now for a seat on the Council, we hope to show even more robust American leadership on this crucial topic.
Comment [chatday]: hello
CO.NX Moderator (Kristin): Hello and welcome to our chat. Please continue to submit your questions for Mr Keshap here.
Q [Asimov]: Aside from the US, what countries do you see as leaders in upholding human rights standards around the world?
A [Atul Keshap]: If we are elected to the Human Rights Council we will reach out to all around the world to countries in Africa, Asia, Middle East, Latin America, and Europe to ensure that the human rights of all people are protected. The Obama Administration is firmly committed to multilateral diplomacy in the UN system and also to building vibrant bilateral dialogues on the important topic of human rights.
CO.NX Moderator (Kristin): Once submitted, your questions will appear in red. Please also, feel free to submit your opinions and comments on human rights and the UN Human Rights Council.
Q [Juan]: How would the U.S. approach the HRC different than the way it is being run now?
A [Atul Keshap]: As you know, the U.S. has been concerned about the focus and activities of the Council in the recent past. We acknowledge that it is a young institution and we have heard from countries around the world that it would benefit from sustained leadership by the Obama Administration. We have been concerned that the Council has not focused sufficiently on the human rights of victims of abuses around the world, and has instead placed excessive focus on certain issues at the expense of other, pressing human rights concerns. Through our diplomacy, we would hope to work with all countries to forge a Human Rights Council that is balanced, credible, and effective in advancing the cause of human rights.
CO.NX Moderator (Kristin): Welcome to those who have just joined us! We are taking questions for Atul Keshap now.
Q [chatday]: dear Atul Keshap- given us's recent history on human rights why do you deserve place in
A [Atul Keshap]: I am very proud of the United States' long history of advancing the cause of human rights and human freedom all around the world. Through the two world wars, the Cold War, and in helping alleviate human suffering through our food and humanitarian aid, by assisting new democracies to establish themselves, and by standing firmly for the cause of human liberty we have shown that we care deeply about human rights. No country is perfect, but if you look at our history at home, we have worked together as a people using the tools of our democracy and our values to address our problems in a forthright and constructive, peaceful manner. The civil rights struggle in the U.S. was long and difficult, but it has been an inspiration for countries around the world. The election of President Obama shows that the U.S. has a very strong record of addressing even the most difficult issues in a way that offers leadership for other countries. It is for that reason that we want to work constructively and helpfully with all the countries of the word to develop together the best possible approaches to defending human rights for the downtrodden victims of abuses no matter where they are located.
CO.NX Moderator (Kristin): Mr. Keshap is reviewing and answering your questions now. We appreciate your patience.
Q [Lloyd]: What does the Obama Administration consider the most pressing human rights concerns that the Council should focus on?
A [Atul Keshap]: The great advantage of being a member of the Council is that the Obama Administration can have a direct role in shaping the focus and agenda of the Council. The Council is able to meet in regular or special sessions throughout the year and has the flexibility to address dire situations as they occur, and we believe that as news of human rights abuses emerge, the Council should do more to work with member states to shine the light of the UN on such violations in order to identify, prevent, and resolve abuses no matter where they occur.
There are also numerous thematic debates on human rights that we believe will benefit from the leadership and diplomacy of the Obama Administration. Countries around the world are engaged in a sustained debate about freedom of expression, the rights of women and children, prisoners of conscience, and freedom of religion, to name just a few such discussions. The Obama Administration intends to participate respectfully and constructively to ensure that these debates serve to advance human liberty all around the world.
Q [Juan]: Was the United States embarassed to see some many human rights abusers on the HRC?
A [Atul Keshap]: We think it is important that countries that protect human rights in words and actions serve on the Council. Countries need to live up to their pledges and commitments, as we firmly intend to do with our pledge, and that countries use use their tenure on the Council to advance the cause of human rights and not divert the Council's agenda away from focusing on their own records. The Obama Administration plans to work actively with all members to ensure that the agenda and focus of the Council is centered on human rights victims.
CO.NX Moderator (Kristin): Thanks for joining us today. We continue to take your questions and comments. Once submitted, they will appear in red.
CO.NX Moderator (Kristin): To download, read, and print the U.S. Human Rights Pledge, please click on the files in the box to the left. The Human Rights Pledge is available in English, Spanish, French, and Arabic.
Q [Asimov]: Now that the Obama administration has formally endorsed the decriminalization of homosexuality, what further steps will it take to lead on this issue?
A [Atul Keshap]: The Obama Administration announced on March 17 that it would support the landmark UN Statement on Human Rights, Sexual Orientation, and Gender Identity, and was very pleased to join 66 other countries who declared their condemnation of human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity wherever in the world they may occur. We are still in the early days of the Administration, but the decision of March 17 sent a strong signal of leadership in protecting the human rights of everyone. As the Administration continues its efforts, it will consider further steps to show leadership on human rights for all.
CO.NX Moderator (Kristin): As Mr Keshap's time is limited, we encourage you to submit your final comments and questions now.
Q [Juan]: Where do you see the biggest human rights abuses around the world?
A [Atul Keshap]: Our views on the human rights record of countries around the world are enshrined annually in our Report to Congress on Human Rights. In those reports, which are available on the State Department website, we assess the human rights issues as factually and objectively as possible. If we are elected to the Human Rights Council, the U.S. will make every effort to ensure that it has available to it all of the necessary data and information to help us focus the agenda of the Council on pressing human rights concerns as and when they develop.
Atul Keshap: Folks, thanks again for the great questions. I really appreciated chatting with you over the web and I look forward to further such interactions. I'd like to close by reiterating the U.S. candidacy for election to the UN Human Rights Council. The election will take place in the UN General Assembly on May 12 and we seek the support of all countries around the world. If elected to the Council, the Obama Administration intends to show its strong commitment to multilateral diplomacy by engaging in sustained outreach and dialogue with member states to ensure that the cause of human rights around the world is advanced in a constructive manner that is meaningful for those around the world who are suffering from abuses of their fundamental human rights. We will also work with civil society to hear the views of all the citizens of the world as we work to advance the cause of human rights. Thank you all very much for your time and attention today.
CO.NX Moderator (Kristin): We want to thank Director Keshap for joining us online this morning. Thanks also to you all for submitting your questions and comments. This webchat is now closed. To see a transcript of this conversation please go to our facebook page at http://co-nx.state.gov.
CO.NX Moderator (Kristin): Please also feel free to submit your feedback about this program via our wall on facebook or by email the CO.NX webchat team at conx@state.gov
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