Mayor Steven Reed joins U.S. team for ICCPR review in Geneva

Montgomery Mayor Steven L. Reed is set to represent U.S. cities on the global stage, joining a U.S. delegation traveling to Geneva, Switzerland, next week. The delegation will present the nation’s latest report concerning its adherence to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

Ambassador Michèle Taylor, serving as the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations Human Rights Council, will spearhead the delegation. Significantly, Mayor Reed stands out as the sole mayor in the country to have received this prestigious invitation to join the delegation.

The delegation is marked by an array of luminaries from diverse governmental agencies and sectors. This includes Justin Vail, Special Assistant to the President for Democracy and Civil Participation, Joshua Black, Senior Director for Multilateral Affairs for the National Security Council, and Robert Gilchrist from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. Aaron Ford, the Attorney General for the State of Nevada, will also join the team, alongside representatives from key U.S. departments such as Justice, Labor, Housing and Urban Development, Education, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, and Defense.

The U.S. Delegation is scheduled to participate in the Human Rights Committee’s review on October 17-18. This Committee plays a pivotal role in overseeing how countries adhere to the provisions of the ICCPR.

This move underscores the United States’ unwavering commitment to human rights. Through detailed periodic reports and the assembly of a robust intergovernmental delegation, the U.S. underscores its dedication to fulfilling its ICCPR obligations. Such representation, cutting across federal, state, and local tiers of government, affirms the nation’s comprehensive approach to championing human rights and preserving fundamental freedoms.