Foreign Debt

Foreign Debt and Human Rights in 2011

United States views on international law (based on the document “Digest of U.S. Practice in International Law”): On March 24, 2011, the United States voted against a Human Rights Council resolution extending the mandate of the independent expert on the effects of foreign debt and other related international obligations of states on the full enjoyment of all human rights, particularly economic, social and cultural rights. The resolution was adopted by a vote of 29 in favor, 13 against, with 4 abstentions. U.N. Doc. A/HRC/RES/16/14. U.S. delegate Mark Cassayre delivered the explanation of the U.S. vote, excerpted below and available in full at (internet link) geneva.usmission.gov/2011/03/23/eov-foreign-debt/.

Developments

The United States has long recognized the potentially harmful effects that excessive debt burdens can have on developing countries, especially Heavily Indebted Poor Countries. As such, debt relief continues to be an essential part of the United States' foreign aid program…

However, we continue to believe that it is incorrect to treat the issue of foreign debt as a human rights problem to be addressed by this Council. Rules other than human rights law are most relevant to the contractual arrangements between States and lenders. There are other international fora which are much better equipped to deal with the questions of foreign debt and debt forgiveness, which are principally economic and technical in nature.

Details

Unfortunately, continuing the mandate of the independent expert does not simply further the inappropriate treatment of this important issue as a human rights problem. It also diverts the focus and finances of this Council away from serious human rights issues that more urgently require the U.S. attention. Given the Human Rights Council's lack of technical competency on this subject, we regret that resources continue to be allocated of to this subject. The Council's limited time and resources should be deployed in other, more appropriate and effective ways.

We therefore must vote against this resolution.

Foreign Debt and Human Rights

In relation to the international law practice and Foreign Debt and Human Rights in this world legal Encyclopedia, please see the following section:

International Human Rights

About this subject:

Judicial Procedure, Penalties, and Related Issues

. Note: there is detailed information and resources, in relation with these topics during the year 2011, covered by the entry, in this law Encyclopedia, about Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions

Resources

See Also

• International Human Rights
• Economic Rights
• Social Rights
• Cultural Rights
• Foreign Debt