MIDDAY - Human Rights Council Hears from 32 Dignitaries as it Continues its High-level Segment
The Human Rights Council today continued its high-level segment, hearing from 32 dignitaries.
Speaking were Prak Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia; Antonio Tajani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy; Ararat Mirzoyan, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Armenia; Adaljíza Albertina Xavier Reis Magno, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor-Leste; Marcy Lopes, Minister of Justice and Human Rights of Angola; João Gomes Cravinho, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Portugal; Joana Gomes Rosa Amado, Minister of Justice of Cabo Verde; Helena Mateus Kida, Minister of Justice, Constitutional and Religious Affairs of Mozambique; Zacarias da Costa, Executive Secretary of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries; Ian Borg, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade of the Republic of Malta; Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nigeria; Mario Adolfo Búcaro Flores, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Guatemala; Rastislav Káčer, Minister of European and Foreign Affairs of Slovakia; Alexander Schallenberg, Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of Austria; Alan Ganoo, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Minister for Land Transport and Light Rail of Mauritius; Bogdan Lucian Aurescu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Romania; and Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Minister for External Affairs of India.
Also speaking were Rogelio Mayta Mayta, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Plurinational State of Bolivia; Park Jin, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea; Josep Borrell Fontelles, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign and Security Policy; Govinda Prasad Sharma Koirala, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Peace and Human Rights of Nepal ; Bibata Nebie Ouedraogo, Ministre de la Justice et des Droits humains, Chargée des Relations avec les Institutions, Garde des Sceaux du Burkina Faso; Patricia Scotland, Secretary- General of the Commonwealth; Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross; Eduardo Enrique Reina García, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Honduras; Akmal Saidov, Minister for Human Rights of Uzbekistan; Gedeon Timotiwos Hessebon, Minister of Justice of Ethiopia; Yvan Gil Pinto, Minister of the People's Power for Foreign Affairs of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela; Al-Habo Mahamat-Ahmad, Minister of Justice and Guardian of the Seals of Chad; Yvonne Dausab, Minister of Justice of Namibia; Edgars Rinkēvičs, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Latvia; and Bruno Eduardo Rodríguez Parrilla, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Cuba.
Some speakers, among other things, said that all human rights, including economic, social and cultural rights and civil and political rights, including the right to development, required treatment on the same footing and on the same basis. There was a no one-size fits all approach to every situation: as such, human rights must be addressed through a genuine human rights-based approach of non-confrontation, non-politicisation and non-selectivity, taking into account the national particularities of each country. It was absolutely vital to make economic development a priority for all States and peoples, and to bear in mind that the right to development received the same sort of respect for fundamental freedoms and human rights that were taken into account when discussing the abolition of the death penalty, as both were vital for ensuring a fairer world. It was impossible to build a world where all had human rights without peace, and the international conflicts undermining international stability were therefore of great concern. In order to tackle these difficulties, multilateralism must be strengthened, and dialogues built in order to have more resilient and inclusive societies.
Human rights were under pressure because of conflicts, social inequalities, climate change, and the pandemic, speakers said. It was essential that all countries remained committed to the promotion of human rights, for the benefit of all. Thus, even with differing perceptions, the continuity of cooperation and the constant stimulation of dialogue, at national, regional and international levels, were urgent. The United Nations human rights machinery should be utilised for saving lives, extending the necessary humanitarian assistance and protecting the human rights of the people concerned. All over the world - in Asia, Africa and the Middle East - armed conflicts and abuses of human rights had gained ground. Major setbacks and persistent violations of the human rights of women and girls had been witnessed, as well as the rise of disinformation, the continuous threat of terrorism, the persistent scourge of discrimination, hatred, racism and xenophobia, which had tested the solidity and cohesion of communities.
The webcast of the Human Rights Council meetings can be found here. All meeting summaries can be found here. Documents and reports related to the Human Rights Council’s fifty-second regular session can be found here.
At 4 p.m., the Council will hold a high-level meeting commemorating the thirty-fifth anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development.
High-level Segment
PRAK SOKHONN, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia, said this year marked the anniversary of two major human rights events: the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the thirtieth anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action. At a time of great challenges, there was great merit for all to be inspired by these texts. All human rights, including economic, social and cultural rights and civil and political rights, including the right to development, required treatment on the same footing and on the same basis. There was a no one-size fits all approach to every situation: as such, human rights must be addressed through a genuine human rights-based approach of non-confrontation, non-politicisation and non-selectivity, taking into account the national particularities of each country.
Cambodia had faithfully subscribed to these principles, as attested by the steady progress it had made across the board, as shown by its non-discriminatory and almost universal vaccination programme against COVID-19. It had rolled out wide-ranging social protection to assist pandemic-related inflation and vulnerable groups. Human rights could become a human wrong when they were politicised and weaponised for political and economic gains. Now more than ever, the world needed peace and the rule of law in line with the United Nations Charter and international law. Peace needed to be put at the heart of both the words and actions of the international community.
ANTONIO TAJANI, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy, said human rights were under pressure because of conflicts, social inequalities, climate change, and the pandemic. Russia’s illegal aggression against Ukraine was causing catastrophic consequences globally. Italy stood by the Ukrainian people and was committed to Ukraine’s independence. In Iran, women faced brutal repression; Italy strongly condemned the death penalty and called for freedom for women and students. Italy supported the resolution for a universal moratorium on the use of death penalty, and stood by Afghan women and girls who were denied their rights to education, work and freedom of movement.
Italy stood by the people of Myanmar, including ethnic and religious minorities, and called for the immediate end of human rights violations by security forces. The situation in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo was concerning, and Italy was working with Congolese authorities to bring to justice those responsible for the deaths of the Italian Ambassador and the Carabinieri officer. Italy was the first European country to send humanitarian aid to Syria after the earthquake, and would continue to provide assistance to the people of Türkiye and Syria. The international community needed to work together to counter human trafficking and tackle the root causes of irregular migration. On the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Italy supported all United Nations mechanisms and called on all States to cooperate with them.
ARARAT MIRZOYAN, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Armenia, reiterated Armenia’s unwavering commitment to the protection and promotion of human rights. This year again, Armenia received the highest rankings in the region by the World Press Freedom Index and the Democracy Index of the Economist Intelligence Unit. As a member of the Human Rights Council, including its Bureau in 2022, Armenia was striving to make a meaningful contribution to the international efforts to promote and protect human rights worldwide. Armenia was contributing to the international efforts on the prevention of genocide. The protection of the human rights of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh had been continuously overlooked and there could not be any hierarchies of suffering based on geopolitical considerations and interests.
The people of Nagorno-Karabakh had been striving to exercise their human rights freely. In an atmosphere of total impunity, Azerbaijan continued to breach principles of international human rights law and international humanitarian law. After Azerbaijan blocked the Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia and the outer world, the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh were on the verge of a humanitarian catastrophe. The International Court of Justice had ordered Azerbaijan to take all necessary measures to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions. Although the Court’s decisions were legally binding, Azerbaijan had failed to lift the blockade of the Lachin Corridor.
ADALJÍZA ALBERTINA XAVIER REIS MAGNO, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor-Leste, said human rights were the cornerstone of Timor-Leste's foreign policy. It was essential that all countries remained committed to the promotion of human rights, for the benefit of all. Thus, even with differing perceptions, the continuity of cooperation and the constant stimulation of dialogue, at national, regional and international levels, were urgent. Although there was some notable progress, violence and discrimination against the rights of girls and women around the world were constantly observed. In this regard, Timor-Leste was fully committed to promoting gender equality and ensuring that all girls and women could exercise their rights. The country was also pursuing the common goal of not leaving anyone behind, as well as stressing the importance of freedom of expression and opinion.
Climate change also had a significant impact on human rights, and the phenomenon had been affecting all nations, including Timor-Leste. The country supported the international recognition of the right to a healthy environment, the United Nations General Assembly resolution on Human Rights for a Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment, and the mandate of the Special Rapporteur for the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change. Timor-Leste also called the Council’s attention to the situation of the people of Western Sahara; the situation of the Palestinian people and advocated for a two-State solution; the war in Ukraine; and the fragile situation in Myanmar.
MARCY LOPES, Minister of Justice and Human Rights of Angola, said Angola had held its fifth multi-party general elections in August 2022, culminating in the election of the President of the Republic for a second consecutive term. These elections were universal, fair and transparent, and for the first time, Angolan citizens residing abroad were able to exercise their right to vote. Angola was in a profound process of global reform of the State, adapting its governance procedures to international standards, strengthening democratic institutions, and protecting human rights. Visits had been undertaken to Angola by delegations from mechanisms responsible for the promotion and protection of human rights. Productive dialogues had been held between these delegations and the public and private institutions in Angola, and the Angola diplomatic corps.
There were several ongoing government actions towards the implementation and enforcement of human rights in Angola, including the Implementation Plan for the National Human Rights Strategy, which was being carried out at the local level. Angola had also developed national action plans to fight human trafficking and child labour. Angola had elevated human rights to be a matter of national security, meaning it was regularly assessed at National Security Council meetings. Over six years, the number of registered civil society organizations had gone from 300 to 900. Mr. Lopes concluded by reiterating Angola's support for the Human Rights Council.
JOAO GOMES CRAVINHO, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Portugal, said that States had a triple obligation to respect, protect and fulfil human rights. There were many challenges to face in 2023, including the war that had returned to Europe, which was illegal, unjustified and brutal. All over the world - in Asia, Africa and the Middle East - armed conflicts and abuses of human rights had gained ground. Major setbacks and persistent violations of the human rights of women and girls had been witnessed, as well as the rise of disinformation, the continuous threat of terrorism, the persistent scourge of discrimination, hatred, and racism and xenophobia, which had tested the solidity and cohesion of communities. Portugal was of the view that the answer lay in placing respect for human rights at the centre of government action.
Portugal defended a United Nations in which its three pillars had equal importance and adequate resources. There was no peace and security without human rights and without human rights there was also no sustainable development. Addressing global challenges necessarily involved strengthening the international system for the protection of human rights. Portugal would not shy away from the effort to strengthen the multilateral human rights system and would participate actively in it. Portugal was proud that it was one of the largest contributors to the Trust Fund that allowed the participation of small island developing States and least developed countries in the Council. It was also proud to be one of the countries that least differentiated between nationals and migrants in terms of social protection - and access to health and education. Portugal sought to strengthen dialogue and invest in cooperation, with the necessary openness to constructive criticism from peers.
JOANA GOMES ROSA AMADO, Minister of Justice of Cabo Verde, said in recent years the international community’s attention had been focused on efforts to eradicate and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, and like many other States, Cabo Verde had shown great resilience during this challenging period. Like the rest of the world, it had seen its tourism industry face huge setbacks in 2020, leading to the destruction of many jobs and testing the health system. The Government had supported the people to be resilient, and combatted this situation tirelessly, vaccinating 70 per cent of adults, the third highest rate in sub-Saharan Africa. It had also managed to overcome the setbacks caused by the drop in tourism, providing safe conditions for tourists.
Cabo Verde believed that the priority must be the elimination of the death penalty, which violated the right to life, as well as the right to live free from torture. The death penalty had been increasingly used as an intimidatory tactic to put an end to public protests, and went along with other abuses such as torture and single confinement. Over 70 States had abolished it, either in law or in practice. Cabo Verde had never used the penalty, as the right to life was a universal human right. The Council should also turn its attention to the right to development. It was absolutely vital to make economic development a priority for all States and peoples, and to bear in mind that the right to development received the same sort of respect for fundamental freedoms and human rights that were taken into account when discussing the abolition of the death penalty, as both were vital for ensuring a fairer world.
HELENA MATEUS KIDA, Minister of Justice, Constitutional and Religious Affairs of Mozambique, reaffirmed Mozambique’s commitment to respect, promote and protect human rights. Mozambique promoted international peace, with an emphasis on peace on the African continent, ensuring the link between climate, peace and security, promoting the role of women and youth in peacekeeping, and combatting terrorism and other evils that threatened international peace and security. Mozambique also searched for greater opportunities for developing countries in international decisions, through the reform of multilateral institutions. Mozambique remained committed to the promotion of gender equality and women's rights, and the strengthening of child protection.
Mozambique intended to organise an international conference of donors for the reconstruction and stabilisation of Cabo Delgado. The issue of terrorism and human rights required a transversal response in combatting the deeper causes of radicalisation and violent extremism. The fight against this phenomenon and the main causes must mobilise global efforts. Mozambique supported the drafting of a legally binding international instrument on transnational corporations and other corporations in the field of human rights, with a view to ending impunity. Mozambique also recognised that certain factors, specifically the adverse effects of climate change, impacted the full and effective enjoyment of human rights by people in vulnerable situations, which continued to be a challenge for Mozambique.
ZACARIAS DA COSTA, Executive Secretary of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries, said human rights were at the heart of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries. Human Rights permeated its activities, and were the bedrock of the Member States, which were brought together by a common language, building ties of cooperation and solidarity. The Community was a death penalty-free area, pursuing many initiatives ensuring economic and social development, strengthening the right to education, mobility, and decent work, putting people and the planet’s prosperity at the heart of its action, fighting climate change, and aiming to strengthen its cooperation with the United Nations. The Community was also fighting child labour in cooperation with the International Labour Organization, and protecting and promoting the rights of persons of disabilities.
It was impossible to build a world where all had human rights without peace, and international conflicts undermining international stability were therefore of great concern. In order to tackle these difficulties, multilateralism must be strengthened, and dialogues must be built in order to have more resilient and inclusive societies.
IAN BORG, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade of the Republic of Malta, said a year ago, Russia’s brutally devastating war was just four days in. The Council had acted quickly at a special session with the establishment of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry in Ukraine to ensure accountability. A year later, the devastation in Ukraine continued. The war’s repercussions had been severe and were having worldwide implications on food security and energy supplies. Last Friday, as United Nations Security Council President, Mr. Borg said he had presided over a meeting recalling the first year since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which was a sobering reminder of what was at stake. This year, the international community celebrated the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and welcomed the High Commissioner’s focus on upholding the human rights obligations. Malta continued to support the Human Rights Council in all its activities.
The Republic of Malta remained concerned about the appalling human rights situation in different countries. In 2022, the Council had responded to the deteriorating situation in Iran and established a Fact-Finding Mission. Malta urged Iran to fully cooperate with the Mission, and also urged the Syrian authorities to abide by their international obligations to protect the rights of their citizens. In 2022, Malta published the Gender Equality and Mainstreaming Strategy which focused on overcoming discrimination and structural inequality. The Government had implemented the “I Belong” programme which provided a framework for the integration of migrants into society. Mr. Borg said all Member States should prioritise the implementation of international human rights standards.
GEOFFREY ONYEAMA, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nigeria, said the world continued to grapple with multiple and interlinked global dynamics, including the sad reality of the COVID-19 pandemic, challenges of irregular migration, knowledge gaps, the climate change crisis, and the impacts of the conflict in Ukraine, which had led to the three-dimensional predicament of food, energy, and financial crises among others. Notwithstanding these known challenges, Nigeria remained firm and resolute in its commitment to deepen collaborations with stakeholders, in the onerous efforts to overcome the crises that daily confronted humanity through sustainable and resilient recovery strategies. In this regard, the Government of Nigeria would ceaselessly continue to explore multiple alternatives and an enabling environment for renewed economic activities to attain socio-economic wellbeing for the teeming millions of its citizens.
One global issue that had profoundly impacted local economies was climate change. Climate change had reduced opportunities and prosperity in Africa, Latin America and many parts of Asia, and many had used these gaps to expand transnational organised crimes. To mitigate the impact of climate change related disasters such as flooding, soil erosion, desertification, air pollution and related challenges, the Government of Nigeria had embarked on measures that stridently addressed critical ecological challenges across the country. The global economic downturn had led to higher public debt at unprecedented pre-pandemic sovereign debt ratios. Without ambitious actions, vital public financial resources would continue to be channelled to creditors at the expense of domestic health, social intervention to assist the poor, and meeting other socio-economic financing needs. Equality of all and respect for human dignity were essential and core principles of nation-building.
MARIO ADOLFO BÚCARO FLORES, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Guatemala, said that a year ago, Ukraine had suffered the use of force and unjustified aggression by the Russian Federation. Guatemala condemned the Russian Federation’s actions which had violated human rights, the principles of international law, and had had a global impact. The Minister called for a ceasefire and an end to this dreadful war. The solution should respect Ukraine’s sovereignty, its territorial integrity and human rights, as well as the security of all countries. Noting the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Minister reiterated Guatemala’s commitment to upholding the human rights of all people, without distinction. It was imperative to hear the voices of all.
Guatemala urged all States to commit to the full implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. States should continue to foster measures for universal recognition of the rights of indigenous peoples and guarantee their participation in the United Nations. Guatemala supported the activities under the International Decade of Indigenous Languages and welcomed the holding of the first session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent. Guatemala was running to be a member of the Human Rights Council for the period 2025-2027. It appreciated the collaboration with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in the country. As a sovereign and democratic country, Guatemala firmly respected the principle of non-interference in internal affairs and the sovereignty of other States.
RASTISLAV KÁČER, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovakia, said the beginning of the Human Rights Council’s session in 2022 had coincided with the start of Russia’s unjustified aggression against Ukraine. Mr. Káčer deplored that after a year, the war was still ongoing and continued to have a devastating impact on human lives. He strongly appealed for a robust international approach in investigating these crimes; there must be no impunity. It was essential that the Commission of Inquiry, established by the Council a year ago, continued to implement its mandate. The war had revealed a substantial decrease of democracy in Russia, and had seen repressive legislation targeted against human rights defenders and journalists. The Council needed to continue addressing this human rights situation on the ground.
With the number of political prisoners exceeding 1,000 in Belarus, an urgent response was required. Over the past couple of years, Slovakia had become a vocal advocate for media freedom and the safety of journalists. A week ago, the country marked five years since journalist Ján Kuciak was murdered in Slovakia. This was a watershed moment for the whole society, and had led to profound legislative and policy changes in Slovakia. Slovakia would support more active engagement of the Council in defending media freedom. The Council must remain firm in addressing human rights violations and abuses world-wide. Those who committed war crimes should not be allowed to become members of this noble body.
ALEXANDER SCHALLENBERG, Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of Austria, said one year ago, Russian forces invaded Ukraine in blatant violation of international law. Since that day, Russia had waged an illegal, unjustified and unprovoked war against Ukraine, targeting civilians and infrastructure. This brutal war had caused enormous destruction and inconceivable human suffering. Austria reiterated its unwavering support for and solidarity with Ukraine, the Ukrainian Government and the Ukrainian people. Independent experts had meticulously gathered evidence of serious human rights violations and breaches of international humanitarian law in Ukraine: the perpetrators must be held accountable. There must be no impunity for these war crimes.
Barely 30 per cent of countries worldwide were fully-fledged democracies, and they must be prepared to fight for their way of life at times of crises, ensuring that the joint commitment to the universality of human rights and the rule of law was maintained. Together, all must resist all attempts to undermine free and equal societies. The need to respect rights both online and offline was becoming ever greater - and human rights must be respected in the development of new technologies. There was great concern for the situation of human rights in many parts of the world, including in Afghanistan, where the erosion of women’s rights and their exclusion from the public world were utterly unacceptable. Protecting and defending human rights required continuing and effective effort, as without human rights for all there could be no peace or sustainable development.
ALAN GANOO, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Land Transport and Light Rail of Mauritius, said human rights could only be advanced in a context of peace and security and a conducive environment for development. To some, peace was the absence of war. For a small island developing State like Mauritius, peace would improve the ability to deal with climate change and help curb rising food, commodity and energy prices. The long-lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, conflicts, and the accelerating effects of climate change had severely impacted the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals and were affecting basic human rights. The rising cost of living around the world had driven many families into poverty. The most appropriate ways to address these concerns for present and future generations needed to be found.
The Government of Mauritius had taken measures to alleviate difficulties faced by the people. However, the provision of social protection for the people could only be sustained in a context of global economic progress. Mauritius would continue pursuing actions to further promote human rights. Today, climate change was a universal reality. No single country was spared by its impacts or could fight its effects alone. Adaptation measures were increasingly being prioritised as compared to mitigation measures. With the coming into force of the Children's Act 2020, the minimum age for marriage was now 18 years in Mauritius. Mauritius had equally promulgated the Child Sex Offender Registration Act and set up a Children’s Court.
BOGDAN LUCIAN AURESCU, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Romania, said Romania would remain true to its commitments and respect for international human rights law and universal values. The war of aggression waged by the Russian Federation against Ukraine was also a war against democracy. Romania firmly supported Ukraine’s independence. The United Nations General Assembly resolution on principles for lasting peace in Ukraine, co-sponsored by Romania, adopted on 23 February with a wide majority, was a clear call for peace, based on the principles of the United Nations Charter. Continued multidimensional support was required for enhancing Ukraine’s resilience against the ongoing aggression of the Russian Federation.
Romania welcomed the United Nations appeals for Türkiye and Syria, after the recent devastating earthquakes, and had delivered humanitarian aid to both countries. In these turbulent times, the High Commissioner’s initiative to commemorate the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the thirtieth anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action were commendable. Romania would initiate a new draft resolution during the current session, which would inform the fifth edition of the Forum, in 2024, and aimed to highlight the important links between democracy and climate change. Other main priorities of Romania would be working towards protecting and promoting human rights of women and girls, countering discrimination, xenophobia and racism, and enabling freedom of expression.
SUBRAHMANYAM JAISHANKAR, Minister for External Affairs of India, said India remained steadfast in its commitment to take all possible steps to ensure the fullest enjoyment of all human rights for its people, including good governance and sustainable development. India gave equal priority to all human rights, whether economic, social and cultural rights or civil and political rights, as they were indivisible and interdependent, and would continue to extend its cooperation to the Office of the High Commissioner and the special mechanisms of the Council, including Special Rapporteurs and the Universal Periodic Review. The universality of all basic human rights embodied India’s civilisational ethos and democratic values. India’s approach to human rights reflected its position as a developing country, and its civilisational ethos ensured harmony between international and domestic policies.
The last three years had adversely affected the enjoyment of human rights of people globally, and the efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals had been severely set back. Development was the way to achieve all human rights. India aimed to promote a women-led development, and was also at the forefront of protecting the rights of transgender persons. With the abiding commitment to ensuring food and nutritional security, the Government continued to provide grain to households, and was ensuring affordable and accessible healthcare to millions. The world must collectively display a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism, and its perpetrators must always be held accountable. India would continue to take all the requisite steps to ensure that it lived up to all its human rights obligations, that all its people enjoyed human rights, and that it lived up to its international commitments.
ROGELIO MAYTA MAYTA, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Plurinational State of Bolivia, said human rights were not a privilege or gift. They were an inalienable set of attributes for all and it was the duty of States and international organizations to defend them. There was much to be done. A multidimensional global crisis was affecting millions of people, testing the ability of the international community to deliver effective responses. The economies of the countries of the Global South were suffering the effects of the imbalance left by the COVID-19 pandemic, while inequalities and scarcity of resources had worsened, both in the Middle East with the recent catastrophes and in Eastern Europe with the military conflict.
It was urgent to think now about the future of humanity. The international community could not afford to ignore the fact that climate change was a daily disaster, that States should remedy this to give those affected the ability to live decently and produce their food, and stop the forced displacement and migration that Africa was subjected to. Food, shelter, work, health and education for all should be guaranteed. Bolivia was committed to peace, cooperation and dialogue. Multilateralism represented a guarantee of respect and cooperation among States. In addition to war, the international community had a duty to end hunger and poverty. It was imperative to consolidate gender equality and provide drinking water for all humanity. Bolivia was firmly committed to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda and had taken a series of actions to achieve such goals.
PARK JIN, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, offered condolences to those affected by the devastating earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria. Today, the world faced conflicts and divisions on a scale not seen in decades. These challenges, from the ongoing war in Ukraine, to the economic downturn and climate change, all had far-reaching implications for human rights. The Republic of Korea had recently ratified the International Convention on Enforced Disappearance as well as the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It would table its third resolution at the fifty-third session of the Council to make meaningful progress on the important topic of new technologies and human rights. The State was also creating a Digital Bill of Rights, which aimed to define the right to enjoy digital technologies.
As one of the most repressive regimes, “North Korea” had a long history of human rights abuses. Ten years ago, the Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea was established. Since then, despite the efforts of the international community to improve the rights of the “North Korean” people, the situation remained dire. “North Korea” needed to prioritise promoting the rights of its people, rather than sustaining its regime. The Republic of Korea also urged “North Korea” to immediately release South Korean nationals detained in the North. The Republic of Korea had also submitted its candidature to the Human Rights Council for the term 2025-27 and asked for the support of Member States.
JOSEP BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said human rights were about the dignity of human beings and they did not belong to any State; they belonged to human beings and were universal. In Ukraine, almost 8 million people had fled the country. At least 6 million people were internally displaced. Russian attacks on civilians amounted to war crimes and the perpetrators must be held to account. In Afghanistan, the Taliban had continued to deny women their right to education. Twenty million Afghans, that was 70 per cent of the population, needed assistance. Brave Iranians had been trying to exercise their rights.
No country had a perfect human rights record - and that included European Union countries. Mr. Borrell said the European Union wished to share the experiences and lessons that had been learnt and further noted that any violation of the United Nations Charter would not be accepted. All United Nations Member States had a duty to ensure accountability for abusers of human rights. He hoped 2023 would be the year to turn the tide for human rights.
GOVINDA PRASAD SHARMA KOIRALA, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Peace and Human Rights of Nepal, reiterated Nepal’s total and unequivocal commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights. Nepal had successfully conducted free and fair periodic elections at all levels of Government. Its legal framework strictly prohibited sexual and gender-based violence. Harmful traditional practices against women and girls were outlawed. The sexual and reproductive health rights of women and girls as well as the rights and identity of sexual minorities were protected. The country had pledged to eliminate child labour and child marriage. Caste-based discrimination was strictly prohibited by law, and such acts were being strictly investigated and perpetrators brought to justice. The Constitution guaranteed freedom of religion as a fundamental right. A gender-responsive budgeting system had been put in place.
Despite the impacts of the COVID pandemic, climate change and other crises, Nepal was committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. It was set to graduate from least developed countries status by 2026, and remained committed to achieving net zero emission by 2045. Further, it would continue to engage with human rights bodies and mechanisms. It was also committed to ensure compliance with the Paris Principles so that the National Human Rights Commission continued to enjoy ‘A’ status. States should adopt an objective, non-selective, and impartial approach and should refrain from the politicisation of human rights issues.
BIBATA NEBIE OUEDRAOGO, Ministre de la Justice et des Droits humains, Chargée des Relations avec les Institutions, Garde des Sceaux du Burkina Faso, commended the excellent cooperation that Burkina Faso had with the High Commissioner, which had led to the opening of an office in the region. Burkina Faso also welcomed the help being provided on the ground, due to the difficult security situation in the country. Since 2015, Burkina Faso had been facing a difficult situation due to terrorist attacks. The security situation in Burkina Faso remained of concern and had led to a change in governance in January 2022. The new Charter of Transition focused on fighting terrorism, responding to the humanitarian crisis, and improving governance and social cohesion. Burkina Faso was committed to promoting and protecting human rights, and was determined to ensure the independence of the judiciary.
As Burkina Faso sought to restore territorial independence, the State was mobilising volunteers to serve and defend the nation, in support of the armed forces and domestic law enforcement. Burkina Faso reassured its partners that there was a strict framework for the recruitment of volunteers to ensure this was carried out in compliance with human dignity. Burkina Faso was aware of human rights as a basis for fighting terrorism. Judicial bodies had been sent to the regions concerned to record human rights violations and ensure the rights of those detained. Allegations of human rights violations committed in the framework of fighting terrorism were systematically investigated by the judiciary, to ensure accountability.
PATRICIA SCOTLAND, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, said that Gabon and Togo had been welcomed to the Commonwealth family since the last high-level segment. This year marked the tenth anniversary of the Commonwealth Charter - which was the cornerstone of democracy. Commonwealth leaders had reiterated their commitment to the Charter. It highlighted the importance of good governance and democracy - and cooperation between human rights institutions. In pursuance of mandates, Member States had had wide-ranging assistance and the Commonwealth was glad to enhance its partnership with the Human Rights Council. The Council was meeting at a time when the world was under immense pressure, tightly bound by crises spanning global systems - including the consequences of COVID-19, high interest rates, inflation, and the increasingly harsh impact of climate change. These were grave changes that were interconnected and they required international cooperation that was unprecedented in this century.
Systems could become overstretched, resources diverted - and where rights were threatened, the most vulnerable were threatened exponentially. Moreover, people with disabilities were at greater risk of isolation. In the face of these challenges, international human rights frameworks were strong tools for collective action. The work of the Council was of primary importance. Decisions and mandates that flowed from the Council could change the world – this had been seen before and could be seen again. The work of the Council could act as a vital safety net for the most vulnerable people and could spark action from around the world for people to lead more peaceful and prosperous lives.
MIRJANA SPOLJARIC EGGER, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, said that this year marked the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the one hundred and sixtieth anniversary of the foundation of the International Committee of the Red Cross. Over the decades, the latter had relieved suffering and promoted international humanitarian law. Such anniversaries reaffirmed the enduring relevance of international humanitarian law and international human rights law that protected people in times of armed conflict. More needed to be done to ensure their universal respect. Armed conflicts continued to ruin the lives of millions, in combination with other factors, which the President said she had witnessed in her visits to Ukraine, Mali and Syria.
In addition to the resurgence of international armed conflict, States were facing global trends. The impact of massive displacement, rising inequalities, and new technologies of warfare was growing by the day. Authoritarian rule was on the rise and human rights violations and war crimes were being committed every day without impunity. International humanitarian law and international human rights law were the best tool for States to ensure that the most vulnerable and marginalised were protected from violence, arbitrariness and discrimination. The work of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Human Rights Council was complimentary and mutually reinforcing. It was a responsibility of parties to the Geneva Conventions to prevent the escalation of bloodshed and misery.
EDUARDO ENRIQUE REINA GARCÍA, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Honduras, said there must be full respect for all fundamental freedoms and human rights, which were central to the right to development - thus, self-determination must be respected, including the right to decide on development models. New life must be breathed into the Universal Declaration of Human Rights if the world was to tackle the numerous crises it faced. All citizens must take part in social, economic, political and environmental development, with a national plan respecting the fundamental rights of all, which were jeopardised by corruption and mismanagement of funds. There must be concerted international cooperation and a direct relationship between national Governments and financial institutions, with a humanist approach, keeping humans at the centre of all debates.
Honduras had signed a memorandum of understanding to fight corruption and organised crime in the country. The United Nations should support these endeavours. High levels of poverty and inequality undermined the efforts to promote the rights of the most disadvantaged, as demonstrated during the pandemic. The imposition of unilateral coercive measures hampered development and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The affected States and their inhabitants could not fully achieve human rights, despite the fact that the United Nations had adopted a number of resolutions against these measures. Flexible policies should be adopted for developing countries in the international financial institutions, in line with the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
AKMAL SAIDOV, Minister for Human Rights of Uzbekistan, said Uzbekistan was committed to collaborating closely with the Council and the United Nations as a whole in the Call for Action on human rights, and appreciated the international initiatives in that regard, in particular those enhancing the role of Parliaments in accelerating the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Uzbekistan’s development strategy aimed to uphold the principle of leaving no-one behind. Among other measures, Uzbekistan was implementing United Nations resolutions on the right to a healthy environment.
Efforts were also being made to establish a national preventive mechanism on torture. Constitutional reform was being carried out with the active participation of civil society, with the main goal of implementing the principal development goals of the country. The Global Forum on Human Rights Education had been held last December, under the auspices of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Uzbekistan was always willing to engage in practical dialogue with the United Nations and its institutions and engage in practical cooperation with countries around the world, and had extended a standing invitation to all Special Procedure mandate holders.
GEDEON TIMOTIWOS HESSEBON, Minister of Justice of Ethiopia, said today there was good news: the people of Ethiopia had opted for peace and reconciliation, in an African-owned and African-led process, signing an agreement for a permanent end to hostilities, solving African problems through African initiatives, whilst recognising international initiatives as complementary. Ethiopia had adopted a transitional justice policy based on accountability, redress for victims, and healing and reconciliation for all its people in a comprehensive and holistic manner.
The Government had also requested that the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Human Rights Commission deploy human rights monitors in the areas of the country affected by the conflict, and help in the design of a human rights-based transitional justice mechanism in line with international standards. Ethiopia’s commitment to ensure truth and accountability, and provide redress and reconciliation was rooted in the desire of ordinary Ethiopians. It placed the country on a solid footing for peace and progress: peace should prevail, and justice should be done. Ethiopia relied on the goodwill and aid of the Council whilst designing a transitional justice policy taking into account the needs and realities of the country.
YVAN GIL PINTO, Minister of the People's Power for Foreign Affairs of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, said systematic violations of human rights had taken place in the country in the past, and it was thanks to those that a state of law and justice had now been built. Two years after the pandemic, deep exclusion and inequality could be seen throughout the world. Venezuela had vaccinated all its target population, mitigating the effects of the pandemic, despite the imposition of illegal, punitive unilateral coercive measures against all its people. It was the target of over 900 illegal coercive measures, in a deliberate effort to destabilise the economy and bring about regime change, in a flagrant violation of international law. These crimes were being brought before the International Court of Justice.
The Council, through its resolutions, had on a number of occasions condemned the use of unilateral coercive measures that had disproportionate costs. Thanks to sound public policy, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela had managed to ensure appropriate food supply to its 30 million inhabitants, producing over 84 million tons of food, and handing over half a million new free houses for the benefit of over 20 million people. The principles of sovereignty should be respected, and illegal attacks on Venezuela by international organizations should be brought to an end. There were too many mandates instrumentalising human rights - they had high costs for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and were often mandates which criminalised countries of the Global South. Venezuela remained steadfastly committed to peace, and called for strengthening the institutions of the Council to stop politicisation, and reaffirming the indivisibility, universality and interdependence of human rights, without being used to interfere in other countries, as they were by hegemonistic States.
AL-HABO MAHAMAT-AHMAD, Minister of Justice and Guardian of the Seals of Chad, in charge of human rights, said that Chad consistently endorsed international instruments for the protection and promotion of human rights. Chad had established the National Commission for Human Rights and it was committed to respect the fundamental values of human rights. Protecting the rights of women, young girls, children, persons with disabilities, refugees, displaced persons and the vulnerable were among the Government’s priorities. Chad was experiencing an environment characterised by instability and insecurity. The neighbouring countries of Libya, the Central African Republic, Sudan and Nigeria were ruled by conflicts that had led to population movements towards Chad, which had welcomed 500,000 refugees. Such a massive flow of population was a significant economic burden on the nation’s budget.
In April 2011, armed groups from a neighbouring country had violently attacked Chad and the President had been assassinated. Chad had faced a number of challenges, including ensuring security in the country and avoiding any possible civil war. A transitional government had been established and national dialogue organised. Chad thanked all its partners for their multifaceted support. The protection of human right was a process, a long-term goal for Chad. It would never stop to reiterate its request to the Human Rights Council to play the role of spokesperson with the country’s partners with a view to providing it with support and help fund a new Chad respecting fundamental freedoms.
YVONNE DAUSAB, Minister of Justice of Namibia, said as the international community marked the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Namibia called for the de-politicisation of the work of the Council. The Council remained the principal forum for the analysis, discussion and promotion of human rights issues. Namibia consistently called for the abolition of the death penalty, and recognised the strides made in some countries to reduce the number of executions and place moratoriums on the death penalty when applicable. Namibia remained concerned about cases of racism across the world and maintained that the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action was a tool which could help to rid the world of racial discrimination.
Ms. Dausab offered heartfelt condolences to the people of Türkiye and Syria following the devastating earthquake. More must be done, including the full realisation of common responsibilities. In this context, Namibia welcomed the establishment of the fund at COP 27 for countries which continued to be disproportionally affected by climate change. With development partners, the State continued to implement social protection measures, including for victims of gender-based violence. Namibia reiterated calls for States to remove the illegal sanctions imposed on Iran, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe, and supported the people of Palestine in their just cause of freedom and social justice. Ms. Dausab reiterated Namibia’s strong commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights.
EDGARS RINKĒVIČS, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Latvia, said human rights were the foundation of justice and peace. For more than a year now, human rights violations had been a tactic of Russia’s war against Ukraine, with critical attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, sexual violence, and illegal displacement of Ukrainian children. Russia must cease violating international human rights and humanitarian law. An aggressor had no place in this United Nations body that stood for progressive values and human rights. The work of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry was commended, and it was hoped that it would help ensure accountability.
Latvia was concerned about growing repression of the activities of human rights defenders globally. Fundamental freedoms must be protected everywhere, including in independent media and society. There should be an extension of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus. Women and girls were often the victims in conflicts, subject to sexual and gender-based violence. Gender equality should be among the priorities to ensure a safe and just society.
BRUNO EDUARDO RODRÍGUEZ PARRILLA, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba, said the world was seeing the proliferation of imbalances, poverty, hunger and exclusion. A very small minority was enjoying a huge increase in their wealth, while the vast majority was fighting for survival. The current patterns of consumption and production were unstainable and a threat to the very existence of humankind. It was crucial to fight for a fair, democratic and equitable international order. Protecting human rights was a common ideal, no country was free from challenges or could claim to be an example in the field. No country should use human rights to stigmatise others and economic or social projects that were not in line with the ambitions of weapons, markets and institutions. Attempts to convert the Human Rights Council into a court against those countries which refused to lay down to the aims of the powerful only undermined the credibility of this body.
Cuba advocated for the full respect of the indivisibility, objectivity and non-selectivity in the way which human rights were considered. It was running for re-election as a member of the Human Rights Council for the 2024-2026 period. Cuba’s voice would continue to be raised, favouring the legitimate interests of developing countries, the poor and the excluded. The United States Government was applying a political genocide through its blockade of Cuba. This had had an impact of families, standards of living, pushing prices up and hampering retail trade, health and education, among other areas. Cuba had assumed the responsibility of the presidency of the G77 + China group in 2023. A fairer world could be built by defending collective just interests of the Global South as well.
Produced by the United Nations Information Service in Geneva for use of the media;
not an official record. English and French versions of our releases are different as they are the product of two separate coverage teams that work independently.
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