Organizational meeting on a decision on non-cooperation of a State under review with the UPR mechanism (United States of America)

Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, I declare open the organizational meeting of the Human Rights Council. Before we move to review draft decision AHRC/OM/19/L.1 concerning a lack of cooperation, I'd like to recall that the voting process is reserved for member states of the Council. We will now move to consider draft decision AHRC.OM.19.L.1. The text we are going to be considering has been distributed to the delegations prior to this meeting. It was also discussed at an informal consultation on Tuesday, the 4th of November, 2025. The draft decision calls on the State concerned to resume cooperation with the UPR mechanism and requests that the President of the Council take all necessary measures to encourage the State to resume this cooperation and report on the results of its efforts to the Council at its ordinary sessions. The draft decision also provides for a delay of the UPR of the USA. to be held in 2026 during the 53rd session of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review. This still leaves the possibility of scheduling the review for a date prior to this. Without further ado, I will give the floor to the Member States of the Council for general comments on the draft decision. Delegations that would like to take the floor are requested to raise their flags. You have three minutes to speak. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Cuba.

Thank you, Mr. President. The Cuban delegation voice is its firm commitment to the UPR, which has proven its importance, usefulness and out concrete results to contribute to the promotion and protection of human rights and to tackle national challenges for all countries on an equal basis, independently of the size or economic power or financial power or military power of the state concerned. We're not surprised by the irresponsible behavior of the government of the US, which seeks not only to ignore the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms, including the UPR, but has also developed a campaign, aggressive and dishonest campaign against multilateralism and international organizations, whilst it continues to violate the UN Charter and international law. The absence of the US here seeks to undermine the HRC and the UN system and civil society as a whole. It is clear that the government of the United States is afraid of the result of this exercise because it knows very well how much the international community will reject the wide ranged human rights violations which the US is entirely responsible for within its borders and outside its borders. Mr. President, Kuma will join the consensus on the understanding that the draft decision OM/19/L1 is based on the text of the decision OM/7/1 adopted by the Human Rights Council in 2013, which constitutes the precedent to govern situations of non-cooperation with the UPR. We will Furthermore, this text is chiefly procedural in nature, which does not prejudge our substantive position on the human rights situation in any country of the world. We will do so as a sign of our commitment to the principles that make the UPR distinguished, very different from a politicised and interventionistic body that fights against the states concerned under agenda items two or four of the Council. The US must abide by their international responsibilities and attend their UPR without delay. Thank you.

Thank you. Are there any other requests for the floor? I give the floor to the.

Distinguished representative of China.

Thank you. China supports the constructive initiative taken by the Secretariat and the Office of the President to encourage the USA to cooperate. Despite these efforts, this country has not reacted and has not submitted its report, nor has it participated in today's review. China regrets this lack of respect for the UPR mechanism. China has taken a constructive role in the consultations on non-cooperation of states with the UPR mechanism and we regret that our opinions were not reflected in the text distributed by the Bureau. The draft decision is not strong enough. It does not explicitly urge the USA to submit a national report. for consideration. Nevertheless, considering the fact that the draft decision calls on the USA to resume its cooperation, China does align itself with the consensus in its constructive spirit. Finally, China, together with the other members of the Council, reiterates its call to the USA to respond to the note from the Secretariat and the President of the Council to resume its cooperation with the UPR and submit its national report as soon as possible and participate in the 53rd session. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Cyprus.

Thank you, Mr. President. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the EU Member States to the members of this Council. This statement has been agreed by the EU as a whole. From the onset, the European Union would like to reaffirm its steadfast support for the Universal Periodic Review, a vital and unique mechanism for promoting human rights globally. The UPR is effective precisely because it is universal. Preserving that universality is essential to safeguarding the UPR's credibility and impact. The EU regrets any situation in which full engagement with the mechanism does not occur, including the decision by the United States not to participate in their review today. All states are subject to the scrutiny of their human rights situation by the international community. All states should therefore take advantage of the UPR to discuss their human rights situation with their peers. The UPR provides a vital space for self-reflection and transparency by shedding light on potential blind spots and receiving recommendations for improvement. This process strengthens accountability, trust, and fosters constructive dialogue among states. We remain committed to ensuring that the UPR continues to be a constructive, inclusive and fruitful platform for all. The EU will continue supporting this important mechanism and stresses the importance of all States' full engagement with it. Thank you.

Thank you. I do not see any other requests for the floor. Are there any members of the Council that would like to make an explanation of vote before we take our vote? I see no request for the floor. Is there a request for a vote? I see none. The draft decision A-HRC/OM/19/L/1 is therefore adopted. Are there any delegations that would like to make an explanation of vote or a general comment after the vote? I see none. Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, we are now coming to the end of this organizational meeting of the Human Rights Council. We will resume the work of the working group on the UPR on Monday at 9 a.m. for the review of the Marshall Islands. Before we close this organizational meeting, please allow me to recall that we will immediately launch an open information consultation on the organization of the 38th extraordinary session of the HRC. I now declare closed this organizational meeting.