3rd International Expert Meeting on the follow-up of implementation of Human Rights Council Resolution 16/18

Secretary-General Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu
Distinguished Ambassadors
Distinguished Panellists
Ladies and Gentlemen:

It is a pleasure to welcome you to the Palais des Nations. It is very appropriate to host this important event in the Istanbul Process here. Not only was Human Rights Council Resolution 16/18 adopted at the Palais des Nations, but this building serves as a practical platform for nurturing respect and tolerance across countries and communities. It is my hope that the spirit of mutual understanding, which characterizes the Palais des Nations, will also shape and guide your discussions over the coming days.

We are living through an era of transformation where we as the human family are becoming increasingly interdependent. At this time of change, we all have a responsibility to ensure that we can live together in diversity and dialogue. I appreciate your commitment to contributing to the realization of this shared aim.

All too often we experience discrimination based on religious, national, cultural and ethnic differences. We witness widening sectarian divides and growing tension, and a rise in extremist discourse. Across the globe, we see stereotyping of groups and individuals, simply based on who they are or what they believe.

We are all responsible for countering attitudes, approaches and actions that yield division and distrust. We must do so on the basis of our framework of universal human rights.

Resolution 16/18 represented an achievement for the Human Rights Council, with the commitment to address religious intolerance by promoting the related rights to freedom of expression, freedom of religion and non-discrimination. We need to preserve and build on the consensus that underpinned the adoption of this landmark Resolution.

While we experience a rise in prejudice and hatred in many contexts, we must also welcome and acknowledge the collective international commitment to counter these trends.

Allow me to share with you three points, which I believe should be central in our efforts to consolidate this commitment:

First, we need responsible leadership at all levels. Politicians, community leaders and religious figures need to speak with one voice, and they must speak the language of moderation and acceptance. Compromise and conciliation must take the place of confrontation and conflict – both in how we speak and in how we act.

Second, we need to strengthen global mechanisms for dialogue, in particular the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations. The Alliance represents our indispensable framework for building bridges across communities and connections among people. The Group of Friends of the Alliance has grown to include 120 Member States, a clear demonstration of the importance attached to this initiative.

Third, we need to confront conditions where intolerance can take root and thrive. Conflict, insecurity, abuse of human rights and economic instability can all contribute to feelings of marginalization that may feed suspicion of what is different. Preconceived ideas and polarization can become entrenched in contexts where certain groups consider themselves vulnerable. We must not lose sight of broader efforts to implement all three pillars of the United Nations’ mandate: peace, development and human rights.

Above all, our commitment to understanding, rooted in our universal human rights, needs to be sustained over time, particularly when it is being challenged. This is neither an easy nor a short-term process. It requires inclusive education and continuous exchange among communities, at local, national, regional and global levels.

The United Nations Office at Geneva is honoured to provide a platform for these worthy efforts.

I wish you successful discussions and thank you for your attention.