Statement by the Delegation of the United States on the release by the US Department of State of the Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2011 and announcement of the winners of the 2011 Human Rights Defenders Award

Prior to taking up the agenda, the Chairperson, on behalf of the Council, expressed condolences to Albania in connection with the bus crash that occurred on 21 May 2012. He also expressed condolences to Italy in connection with the bombing that took place in Brindisi on 19 May 2012 and the earthquake that occurred in northern Italy on 20 May 2012. Presentation of the 2013 Programme Outline by the Secretary General. Response to a statement made by Belarus at the 907th meeting of the Permanent Council on the expansion of the powers of the security agencies in the United States of America and Canada. Freedom of assembly and violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals in a number of OSCE participating States. Response to a statement made by the Russian Federation at the 911th meeting of the Permanent Council on freedom of assembly in the United States of America. Report on the activities of the Chairperson-in-Office. International Missing Children’s Day, to be observed on 25 May 2012. Release by the US Department of State of the Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2011 and announcement of the winners of the 2011 Human Rights Defenders Award. Olympic Truce during the XXX Summer Olympic Games and the 2012 Summer Paralympic Games, to be held in London from 27 July to 12 August 2012 and from 29 August to 9 September 2012 respectively.