Statement by Ambassador Susan E. Rice, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, on the Consensus Resolution on Burma in the Third Committee

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

Washington, DC

November 26, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The United States applauds the consensus adoption by the General Assembly’s Third Committee of the resolution on the human rights situation in Burma this morning. Today, every nation of the world, including Burma itself, joined together to recognize the progress Burma has made on human rights over the last 18 months, and to set clear benchmarks for how this progress can be sustained and deepened.

After decades of repression, there is building momentum for reform and progress on human rights in Burma. Today’s resolution is not only a remarkable sign of how far Burma has come, but also a demonstration of how effective working within the human rights mechanisms of the United Nations can be to achieve progress on human rights for a nation’s citizenry.

Last week, President Obama travelled to Burma to extend America’s hand of friendship and offer of assistance to the government and people of Burma. As he said then, “Something is happening in this country that cannot be reversed, and the will of the people can lift up this nation and set a great example for the world.” The United States will continue to support the people of Burma as they progress along this challenging journey.

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