On the United States Undergoing Its Universal Periodic Review of Its Human Rights Record

PRESS RELEASE

The Universal Period Review (UPR) Working Group of the UN Human Rights Council adopted a UPR Outcome Report for the United States of America on November 9.

UN member states and observers made to the US a record number of 228 recommendations concerning the observance of human rights and elimination of their violations within the country and during military operations abroad.

The recommendations particularly highlighted the necessity of abolishing the death penalty, closing the prison at Guantanamo Bay, thoroughly investigating cases of torture and the abuse of power by security forces, combating racial discrimination and intolerance, observing the human rights of migrants, minorities and indigenous peoples, as well as increasing US participation in international treaties in the field of human rights, international humanitarian law and labor regulation.

The outcome of the review of the US report once again confirms that in Western countries, which often claim to be leaders in the field of human rights, there are serious problems in promoting respect and support for human rights.

November 9, 2010