Statement by Ambassador Susan E. Rice, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, on the Accreditation of the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission

Susan E. Rice
U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations 
U.S. Mission to the United Nations 

New York, NY

July 19, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Today the United States and our partners won a decisive victory with the vote of the United Nations Economic and Social Council to grant consultative status to the International Lesbian and Gay Human Rights Commission (ILGHRC), a U.S.-based non-governmental organization that does invaluable work around the globe to protect basic human rights, combat discrimination, and fight against the scourge of HIV/AIDS.

Today's vote reaffirmed the Economic and Social Council's commitment to include a diverse range of voices from civil society in the work of the UN.

Most important, the vote was a significant achievement for all those who work to see the United Nations embody its founding principles and advance the tenets of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

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