ACLU Welcomes U.S. Decision To Join U.N. Human Rights Council

Move Is Important Step Toward Restoring Status As Human Rights Leader

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: (212) 549-2666; media@aclu.org

NEW YORK – The American Civil Liberties Union today welcomed an announcement from the Obama administration that the United States will join the United Nations Human Rights Council, reversing a Bush administration decision to shun the top U.N. human rights body.

The following can be attributed to Jamil Dakwar, Director of the ACLU Human Rights Program:

"We gladly welcome the decision of the Obama administration to join the U.N. Human Rights Council. This is a promising step toward affirming our commitment to human rights not only abroad, but also at home. By restoring and protecting human rights in this country, America will once again become a nation that leads by example. From this position, we are hopeful the U.S. will help make the Council an effective body for protecting the rights of all people around the world."