UN Council adopts draft report on U.S. human rights

The United States' Universal Periodic Review (UPR) draft of a report on the country's human rights situation was adopted on Friday by the Human Rights Council.

The UPR body reviews the human rights records of all UN member states so as to implement and enhance fundamental freedom in the world.

The US' review on Monday, its second since 2010, saw statements from 117 delegations and recommendations from 346.

These have been conveyed in a draft report which is scheduled to be completed by May 22, 2015.

U.S. Department of State assistant legal adviser for human rights and refugees Kathleen Hooke stated that due to the "large number of recommendations we received in this report, we will return in September to provide a detailed response."

The United States has until the 30th session of the Human Rights Council, held in September and October this year, to examine each recommendation so as to reply to the drafted recommendations.

These include the ratification of key human rights conventions, the creation of a national human rights institution, the end of racial profiling and discrimination, the establishment of a moratorium on the death penalty, the closure of Guantanamo military prison, and an end to surveillance activities.

China also urged the United States to respect indigenous peoples and ethnic minorities' rights and interests, to address the root causes of racial discrimination. As well, China called on the United States to eliminate the use of excessive force by law enforcement officials against African-Americans, while fully disclosing abuse by its intelligence agency. Endit