2023 Human Rights Practices: US backs Israel’s “right to self-defense”

WASHINGTON: United States (US) Secretary of State Antony Blinken ‘condemned’ Hamas while rallying support behind Israel during a speech on the release of the “2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices” report on Monday.

During the press briefing in Washington, the Secretary talked about the “vital role” of the annual Human Rights Report (HRR), compiled by the State Department staff. The report assesses and documents human rights conditions worldwide.

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In his speech, Blinken stated that the report draws from various “credible sources” to inform the US diplomatic efforts and foreign assistance programmes. The report helps align the US’s “commitment” to
“promoting” human rights globally.

Blinken said that such reports show the significance of the “President’s Summit for Democracy” as democracy is a “cornerstone for securing human rights” and “fostering reforms”. Blinken commemorated the 75th anniversary of the “Universal Declaration of Human Rights” (UDHR) and stated that the US is committed to “supporting democracy” and “human rights” globally.

In his speech, Blinen “condemned’ Russia for its “flagrant disregard for human rights”, particularly in its ongoing war against Ukraine. He said that the report details huge “violations and abuses” committed by Russian forces. He said Russia has committed “crimes against humanity” in Ukraine including the “forced displacement of Ukrainian children”. He talked about “Russia’s crackdown” on dissent within its borders, claiming that hundreds of Russians were facing “spurious charges” for opposing Putin’s “aggression”.

Blinken then talked about Israel and Palestine. In his speech, he acknowledged the troubling human rights situation amid the conflict. However, he “condemned” Hamas’ attacks on Israel that “resulted in casualties and hostage-taking”. Blinken stated that the US recognised Israel’s “right to self-defense”. However, he stressed the need to conduct military operations in accordance with the international law to protect civilians.

The report raised alarms about the high number of Palestinian civilian casualties in Gaza. Blinken called for the need for humanitarian assistance in the Gaza strip.

Similarly, the speech addressed human rights “abuses” in other regions. Blinken said that in Sudan, atrocities committed by the Sudanese armed forces included “mass killings” and “gender-based violence”. He also mentioned Uganda’s anti-LGBTQI+ legislation and “denounced” human rights “violations” in Iran.

He also condemned the Taliban’s mistreatment of women in Afghanistan and Burma’s military regime’s violence against its population.

Blinken stated that the report also covered China’s “systematic human rights abuses” against ethnic minorities. The State Secretary also brought up “political repression” in Cuba and Nicaragua, where he stated political prisoners faced “harsh treatment”.

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Despite all the challenges, Blinken touched on some positive developments as well. He talked about labour reforms in Mexico and praised the “resilience” of human rights defenders and civil society leaders globally, whose “tireless efforts contribute to global progress”.

Blinken’s speech concluded with a call to support the “brave” people “striving to make the world a freer and safer place” for all.