U.S. and 21 Other States Condemn anti-Israel U.N. "Commission of Inquiry"

"Thank you, Mr. Vice President,

I read this statement on behalf of a growing cross-regional group of 22 countries, including the United States, that are deeply concerned about the open-ended Commission of Inquiry established following the escalation of violence in May 2021.

Resolution S-30/1 established a COI of open-ended mandate with no sunset clause, end date, or clear limitations connected to the escalation in May 2021. For this reason, many of the Council’s members at the time expressed fundamental concerns when resolution S-30/1 came up for adoption.

To be clear, no one is above scrutiny and it is this Council’s responsibility to promote and protect human rights the world over. We must work to counter impunity and promote accountability on a basis of consistent and universally applied standards.

We believe the nature of the COI established last May is further demonstration of long-standing, disproportionate attention given to Israel in the Council and must stop.

We continue to believe that this long-standing disproportionate scrutiny should end, and that the Council should address all human rights concerns, regardless of country, in an even-handed manner. Regrettably, we are concerned that the Commission of Inquiry will further contribute to the polarization of a situation about which so many of us are concerned.

I thank you.

— List of Signers as of June 13, 2022:

1. Austria
2. Bulgaria
3. Brazil
4. Canada
5. Cameroon
6. Colombia
7. Croatia
8. Eswatini
9. Germany
10. Guatemala
11. Hungary
12. Israel
13. Liberia
14. Marshall Islands
15. Micronesia
16. Nauru
17. The Netherlands
18. North Macedonia
19. Palau
20. Togo
21. The United Kingdom
22. The United States of America"