WASHINGTON – As President Joe Biden’s U.S. Representative to the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, engaged with UN leadership, world leaders, and human rights advocates to address some of the most pressing challenges facing the global community today.
Chair Cardin met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Acting Under-Secretary Joyce Msuya of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, where he commended Secretary-General Guterres for uniting nations from the Global North and South to successfully adopt the 'Pact for the Future,' a reaffirmation of multilateral cooperation, despite last-minute attempts by Russia to obstruct its passage.
In their discussions, Chair Cardin emphasized the dire humanitarian crisis in Sudan, urging the United Nations to exert its influence on warring factions and contributing states to halt the flow of funds and arms prolonging the conflict, protect civilians, and ensure safe, unhindered humanitarian access for the 25 million Sudanese in need.
Turning to the conflict in the Middle East, Chair Cardin highlighted "the malign role of Hamas and Iran in fueling violence that has led to a devastating humanitarian situation in Gaza," and underscored the need for international efforts to address these challenges. He also expressed concern over anti-Israel bias and rising anti-Semitism at the UN, welcoming UNESCO’s new initiative to combat anti-Semitism and hate speech.
Chair Cardin also addressed the systemic obstacles faced by NGOs in gaining accreditation at the United Nations, pointing out the ways in which authoritarian regimes like Russia and the People’s Republic of China exploit their influence to stifle civil society voices. “Russia, the PRC, and other repressive states are leveraging their power to silence human rights defenders and block NGO accreditation through the NGO Committee, effectively muting those advocating for democracy, human rights, and freedom of expression,” said Chair Cardin.
Chair Cardin joined Assistant Secretary of State Dafna Rand at a roundtable with human rights defenders, reaffirming the United States' commitment to amplifying their voices. This engagement follows the recent release of a documentary-style video as part of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's 'Truth to Power' digital series, which highlights the courage, resilience, and struggles of human rights defenders worldwide."
As leader of a bipartisan congressional delegation to the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Chair Cardin also met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and was impressed by his “comprehensive strategic plan to secure Ukraine’s future and bolster its resilience."
CLICK HERE to learn more about Chair Cardin’s Human Rights Defenders Protection Act.
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