Of particular importance are unequivocal declarations regarding the biological understanding of sex, the rejection of the concept of an international “right to abortion,” and criticism of the use of the term “reproductive and sexual rights” to promote controversial ideological agendas.
- Last December, the United States published a comprehensive document containing an explanation of its position regarding all the resolutions adopted by the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly.
- The document provides a consolidated interpretation of key concepts of international law used in UN resolutions, including human rights, women’s rights, the rights of the child, “sexual and reproductive rights,” gender equality, and the so-called human rights-based approach.
- The United States unequivocally emphasizes the non-binding nature of General Assembly resolutions and opposes attempts to create new international obligations through the language of political documents.
- Of particular importance are unequivocal declarations regarding the biological understanding of sex, the rejection of the concept of an international “right to abortion,” and criticism of the use of the term “reproductive and sexual rights” to promote controversial ideological agendas.
- The American document is part of a broader debate on the limits of the UN’s mandate, the protection of state sovereignty, and countering an expansive interpretation of international law through soft law.
The United States explains its position
The Permanent Mission of the United States to the United Nations published a document titled “Long Form Explanation of Position with Respect to All Resolutions as Listed under the UNGA 80 Third Committee”. This document provides a comprehensive and detailed explanation of the U.S. position on all resolutions considered by the Third Committee during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, which is responsible for social, humanitarian, and human rights issues.
The document goes significantly beyond standard diplomatic practice. Instead of brief explanations of vote on individual resolutions, the United States presented a comprehensive and systematic interpretation of the language used in UN documents, encompassing both general issues and specific terms and legal concepts. In practice, this publication serves as a kind of interpretive “glossary” of international law, indicating how the United States understands the meaning of specific terms and what limits it places on their application.
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