HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL HEARS FROM 16 DIGNITARIES AS IT CONTINUES ITS HIGH-LEVEL SEGMENT

The Human Rights Council during its midday meeting continued with its high-level segment, hearing addresses from dignitaries from 15 countries and one organization.

Péter Szijjártó, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, said that human rights were too important to become hostages and be used for political pressure. The rising global Christianophobia was of utmost concern as four in five people killed in the world for religious reasons were Christians.

Delcy Rodríguez Gómez, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, said resources were being appropriated through wars as investors recognized the benefits and advantages of wars. Meanwhile, such wars had thrown up chilling figures in terms of displacement and refugees. The Council should speak out about such challenges.

Alok Sharma, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom, called on the Human Rights Council Member States to make efforts to end modern slavery, to place the promotion of the rights of women and girls at the centre of their domestic and foreign policy, and to reinforce civil society.

Lorena Fries Monleón, Under-Secretary of Human Rights of Chile, noted that the Human Rights Council faced immense challenges as it started its next cycle: uncertainty, the devastating impact of conflicts, fundamental changes in some countries, and inequality and discrimination on the grounds of race, religion, gender or nationality.

Mahmud Mammad-Guliyev, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, briefed the Council on the recent developments in Azerbaijan aimed at further strengthening the protection of human rights. He called on the Council and the High Commissioner for Human Rights to play an increased role in the restoration of the violated human rights of Azerbaijani refugees.

Pedro Raúl Villagra Delgado, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Argentina, said that Argentina’s history was the reason that it promoted a comprehensive defence of human rights, adding that Argentina renewed its commitment to working toward the universal ratification of the International Convention against Enforced Disappearance.

Tsend Munkh-Orgil, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Mongolia, noted that the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights had to be given more financial and human resources in view of its important mandate.

Peter Maurer, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, warned that excluding international humanitarian law from being a useful guide in armed conflict today was a way to fuel cycles of violence, and a way to escape the responsibility of managing operations in a way that respected proportionality and precautions.

Pavlo Klimkin, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, underlined that the Government of Ukraine firmly believed that transparency and openness to international monitoring was the only way to improve the human rights situation. Despite the ongoing external aggression, Ukraine had embarked on a path of comprehensive reforms.

Anwar Mohamad Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, said that Da’esh’s twisted ideology represented a danger to open societies everywhere, as it promoted religious hatred and preyed on the most vulnerable. The refugee crisis placed a burden on Syria’s neighbours, and in Yemen an already fragile State had been shattered by a three-way assault of extremism.

Alexandros N. Zenon, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Cyprus, stated that in order to effectively address terrorism, it was important to deprive it of its breeding ground in countries such as Syria, Libya and Iraq. Being in its neighbourhood, Cyprus had a particular interest in Syria and supported a diplomatic solution to the conflict.

Manuel González Sánz, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Costa Rica, noted that the international community had to regulate its conduct and the operation of the Human Rights Council to give it the visibility that its work required, with the goal of defending human rights around the world.
Lubomír Zaorálek, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Czechia, reiterated that the Czech Republic would continue to speak out against attempts of States to supress peaceful civic engagement or insubordinate civil society.
Bärbel Kofler, Federal Government Commissioner for Human Rights Policy and Humanitarian Aid of Germany, said that it was important to listen to what civil society had to say, noting that a vibrant civil society in which different voices could be heard was key to building strong societies and achieving security and stability.

Gennady Gatilov, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Russian Federation, warned against attempts to change regimes, which in the Middle East had released a genie of terrorism and unravelled centuries of progress. He regretted that the reforms of the United Nations were put forward without the agreement of Member States.

Alfonso Nsue Mokuy, Third Deputy Prime Minister for Human Rights of Equatorial Guinea, said that the Government of Equatorial Guinea was ready to establish close cooperation with the Human Rights Council and briefed the Council on various steps taken by Equatorial Guinea to realize the full enjoyment of human rights.

The Human Rights Council is holding a full day of meetings today. It will continue with its high-level segment at 3 p.m.

High-level Segment

PÉTER SZIJJÁRTÓ, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, said although Hungary had been under a massive media attack concerning human rights issues, the Council had seen through it and chosen to elect Hungary to the Council. Human rights were too important to become hostages and be used for political pressure. If the over-politicizing of human rights continued, it would undermine the credibility of the implementation of human rights. As a new member of the Council, Hungary would make every effort to push for a balanced and fair approach based on consultations with other countries. It would seek to avoid situations where reports on human rights in countries were written by bureaucrats who had never visited those countries, and also avoid situations in which so-called non-governmental organizations presented biased reports about countries without listening to the stakeholders in those countries. The rising Christianophobia globally was of utmost concern; four in five people killed in the world for religious reasons were Christians. Hungary urged the International Criminal Court not to leave unpunished any crime committed against Christians in any region of the world. The international community should guarantee the rights of the Middle Eastern Christian community to return to their homes as soon as those regions were liberated.

DELCZ RODRĺGUEZ GOMEZ, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, recalled the grounds for the disillusionment of the Human Rights Commission as it had not been able to prevent the collapse of the international financial system, which had been a clear violation of human rights. The Commission had not been able to counter this genocidal international economic order. Placing growth ahead of human beings at the heart of that model was a grave mistake, the Minister said, citing an Oxfam report that 1 per cent of the world held global wealth. Venezuela expressed solidarity with Cuba in the economic blockade against the country, which ran counter to its development. Resources were also being appropriated through wars as investors recognized the benefits and advantages of wars. Meanwhile, such wars had thrown up chilling figures in terms of displacement and refugees. Even worse was the fact that the majority of refugees were children. The Minister urged the Council to face and speak out about such challenges and spoke of how “imperial powers” had used Venezuela as a target. Nevertheless, Venezuela was preserving its social capital and achievements in human rights. Despite being the subject of aggression, it was a model in the region as a country that had been able to promote economic and social rights. Looking ahead, the Human Rights Council’s fate must be different than that of the Human Rights Commission, and must not be politicized.

ALOK SHARMA, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom, noted that in Syria the international community should not allow its familiarity with the crisis to numb it to the violations and abuses that continued to take place. In the face of the man-made famine in South Sudan, it was imperative to renew the Commission on Human Rights and strengthen its mandate to cover investigations and ensure individual accountability. Mr. Sharma stated that Sri Lanka had to be given time to fully implement the October 2015 resolution and post-conflict measures to embed stability, reconciliation and justice. He welcomed Myanmar’s progress towards democratic transition and the election of a new civilian administration. But, there were deep concerns about reports of violations committed against the Rohingya minority. Appalling human rights violations continued in “North Korea” and perpetrators had to be held to account. Mr. Sharma urged the Philippines to uphold the rule of law and respect for human rights in its battle with illegal drugs, and he urged Viet Nam to embrace the growing number of bloggers and commentators. He called on the Human Rights Council Member States to make efforts to end modern slavery, to place the promotion of the rights of women and girls at the centre of their domestic and foreign policy, and to reinforce civil society. Mr. Sharma commended the support provided by the independent experts and the commitment shown by Guinea and Côte d’Ivoire in working with the United Nations to improve human rights.

LORENA FRIES MONLEÓN, Under-Secretary of Human Rights of Chile, said the Human Rights Council faced immense challenges as it started its next cycle: uncertainty, the devastating impact of conflicts, fundamental changes in some countries, and inequality and discrimination on the grounds of race, religion, gender or nationality. At the same time, there were achievements and successes in the field of human rights that should be celebrated. Chile had created the Sub-Secretariat for Human Rights in its the Ministry of Justice, as well as the Ministry for Indigenous Peoples and the National Council of Indigenous Peoples, in addition to a national preventive mechanism for torture and an ombudsmen for children’s rights. Torture was one of the greatest scourges of humanity; Chile was a party to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and stressed the obligation of States to heed early warnings and prevent torture. A set of structural reforms to overcome inequalities and guarantee equal rights of all people had been adopted; and labour and tax reforms had been designed to ensure resources necessary for the government’s actions, and to put in place a fair tax system. The agenda for gender equality and non-discrimination had been strengthened with the creation of the Ministry for Women and for gender equality, and the adoption of measures to eradicate violence against women, including the bill on the right of women to a life free of violence. Additionally, Chile had decriminalized abortion when the life of the mother was in danger, when the foetus was not viable, and in cases of rape.

MAHMUD MAMMAD-GULIYEV, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, briefed the Human Rights Council on the recent developments in Azerbaijan aimed at further strengthening the protection of human rights. A new strategy on financing non-governmental organizations envisaged the facilitation of their activities through the improvement of the national donor system. In February 2017 Azerbaijan had adopted a decree on the improvement of the penitentiary service, the humanization of penal policies, and the extension of alternative sanctions and non-custodial procedural measures of restraint. Steps had been taken with respect to Azerbaijan’s participation in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative and the Open Government Partnership. Azerbaijan was very interested in continuing enhanced interaction with the Council and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders had visited Azerbaijan in September 2016, but his report had failed to reflect the spirit of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the United Nations human rights mechanisms. The continuing armed conflict in and around the Nagorno-Karabakh region caused by the military aggression of Armenia had resulted in the occupation of almost one fifth of the internationally recognized territory of Azerbaijan. Armenia had carried out a policy of ethnic cleansing against Azerbaijanis living in the occupied territories. Refugees and internally displaced persons had been deprived of their fundamental right to live in their native lands. Azerbaijan hosted the highest number of refugees in the world per capita – 1.2 million. Mr. Mammad-Guliyev called on the Council, its special mechanisms and the High Commissioner to play an increased role in the restoration of the violated human rights of Azerbaijani refugees, as reflected in the Security Council and General Assembly resolutions.

PEDRO RAÚL VILLAGRA DELGADO, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Argentina, said the Human Rights Council was the key multilateral forum for a dialogue leading to cooperation, peace and international security. Argentina’s history was the reason that the country promoted a comprehensive defence of human rights, and would renew its commitment to working toward the universal ratification of the International Convention against Enforced Disappearance. The Deputy Minister reviewed further details related to that Convention, noting that an Argentinean expert was a candidate for a position as a member of the relevant Committee. He welcomed the visit to Argentina of the Independent Expert on the protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity as his first official visit. Indeed, Argentina had extended a permanent, open invitation to all Special Procedures, he said, enumerating which experts had visited the country in 2016. Highlighting the importance that Argentina placed on the abolition of the death penalty, he noted that Argentina had ratified all existing international and regional instruments to that effect. Regarding the rights of asylum-seekers and refugees, he said there was a “Syrian Programme” of humanitarian visas for people affected by the conflict. Gender equality was a State policy in Argentina, and the country promoted the integral empowerment of women.

TSEND MUNKH-ORGIL, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Mongolia, noted that Mongolia was one of the first countries to adopt a national plan of action on Millennium Development Goal 9 to advance human rights and democratic governance. Mongolia’s 2030 National Sustainable Development Agenda had been adopted in February 2016 and it envisaged to ensure better protection of the economic and social rights of Mongolians through the eradication of poverty in all its forms. The Government had also developed its action programme for 2016-2020 with a strong emphasis on continued legal reforms based on a human rights approach. The Government had adopted a comprehensive plan of action to implement about 150 Universal Periodic Review recommendations. The ongoing work on implementing those recommendations focused on the abolition of the death penalty, amendments to the criminal law, new laws on the rights of the child, the law on the elderly, the law on domestic violence, combatting human trafficking, and on enhancing the independence, accountability and transparency of the judiciary. The Government was paying particular attention to combatting corruption in the public sector. Parliament had recently adopted a six-year National Anti-Corruption Strategy. Mr. Munkh-Orgil noted that the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights had to be given more financial and human resources in view of its important mandate.

PETER MAURER, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, spoke about how the positive power of law could protect people in the most challenging circumstances. The suffering of millions of persons was due to violations of their human rights and violations of international humanitarian law. That law resulted from determined statecraft across time and cultures to create practical tools to protect people. Contrary to some perceptions, international humanitarian law took into account security risks in armed conflict, for which it was specifically designed. International humanitarian law was a minimal, non-reciprocal framework to guarantee fundamental rights. Excluding international humanitarian law from being a useful guide in armed conflict today was a way to fuel cycles of violence, and a way to escape the responsibility of managing operations in a way that respected proportionality and precautions. In Iraq, international humanitarian law was being used to inform battlefield conduct, and in Syria, it had assisted in guaranteeing safe passage for civilians. When law was respected, peace was easier to make. The President of the International Committee of the Red Cross urged all delegations to use the fortieth anniversary of the Additional Protocols of the Geneva Conventions to recognize the important humanitarian rules and practices those Protocols brought to armed conflict. Governments should not give in to the temptation of conflict escalation, and should not push back against the restraining limits of the law, because law worked.

PAVLO KLIMKIN, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, said that massive movements of migrants, internally displaced persons and refugees, devastation of nature or world heritage sites, and outbreaks of epidemics were challenges for the whole of humanity. Human rights violations began when someone disregarded the collective wisdom that all human beings were born free and equal. It was easy to indicate one common source of insecurity in Europe; one State that considered itself more equal than others and that espoused a strategy of derailment rather than mediating. That strategy was applied in Georgia in 2008. It had been vigorously activated in Ukraine since 2014. Ukraine had endured direct military aggression as Crimea and part of Donbas were illegally occupied by the Russian Federation. Some 10,000 persons had been killed and more than 22,000 wounded in Donbas, whereas Crimea had become a grey zone marred by injustice, terror and repression. The occupying authorities committed systematic violations of human rights and they sought to destroy the identity of Ukrainians and the Crimean Tatars. Impunity should not be tolerated and Ukraine was concerned by the recent attempts of some States to leave the International Criminal Court. The Government of Ukraine firmly believed that transparency and openness to international monitoring was the only way to improve the human rights situation. Despite the ongoing external aggression, Ukraine had embarked on a path of comprehensive reforms.

ANWAR MOHAMAD GARGASH, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, said the United Arab Emirates was taking a future-oriented approach that embraced diversity and engaged young people, ideas which in the Middle East were not universally accepted. Reviewing progress in the country, the Minister noted that Emirati women made up 66 per cent of the labour force. The United Arab Emirates had continued its promotion of children’s rights, a focus which extended beyond childhood, and also continued to expand and strengthen workers’ rights, promoting transparency in contractual relations, and had also made progress against human trafficking. Turning to challenges, the Deputy Minister said that Da’esh’s twisted ideology represented a danger to open societies everywhere, as it promoted religious hatred and preyed on the most vulnerable. The refugee crisis placed a burden on Syria’s neighbours. In Yemen, an already fragile State had been shattered by a three-way assault of extremism. Security had collapsed after the Houthis violently overthrew the legitimate Yemeni Government, and Iran was arming the insurgents with weapons, including armed drones. The Iranian interference had deepened the Yemeni conflict, allowing Al-Qaida more space to operate. The United Arab Emirates called for the strong enforcement of United Nations Security Council resolutions barring Iranian support for the Houthis.

ALEXANDROS N. VENON, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Cyprus, said that peace, security and respect for human rights were fundamental goals of the United Nations. After decades of struggles to safeguard them, the world now confronted global terrorism, the single greatest threat to those goals. Nevertheless, when implementing effective counter-terrorism policies, human rights must not be compromised. Otherwise, new grievances could be created and exploited by extremists. In determining action, it was important to bear in mind that effective counter-terrorism measures and the protection of human rights were not conflicting. For its part, Cyprus worked toward promoting tolerance and mutual respect in order to prevent radicalisation, while instilling in its youth respect for human rights. To effectively address terrorism it was equally important to deprive it of its breeding ground in countries such as Syria, Libya, and Iraq. Being in its neighbourhood, Cyprus had a particular interest in Syria and supported a diplomatic solution to the conflict. Another concern was the situation of minorities in the Middle East, including its Christian communities. Highlighting the reunification efforts of Cyprus, the Deputy Minister said that after nearly two years, significant progress had been made. He praised the constructive attitude of the United Kingdom and Greece before calling on Turkey to end its military occupation and gross violations of human rights on the island.

MANUEL GONZÁLEZ SÁNZ, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Costa Rica, noted that the proliferation of conflicts within States, the expansion of terrorism, and the effects of climate change all together generated a significant number of humanitarian crises that had triggered huge movements throughout the world. But instead of bridges being built, the language of division was being built. The international community could not repeat mistakes made in the past. Freedom of expression was not merely threatened or curtailed in conflict zones, but governmental movements were seen which were attempting to restrict freedom of expression through efforts to discredit the press. If there was no independent press, citizens could not exercise their right to express an opinion. The persecution of journalists and other press workers was worrying. To create a global society, all States had an obligation to protect human rights and all fundamental freedoms as established. Costa Rica strongly appealed to the Human Rights Council, guided by principles of non-selectivity, to promote a human rights-based approach within the system to properly promote peace. The Human Rights Council must promote its tools such as its Special Procedures and Universal Periodic Review. The international community must regulate its conduct and the operation of the Human Rights Council to give it the visibility that its work required, with the goal of defending human rights around the world. Costa Rica urged all to respect and protect institutions that defended human rights.

LUBOMÍR ZAORÁLEK, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Czechia, said that it had been 40 years since the signing of the Charter 77 which had called upon the Government to uphold human rights in the then communist Czechoslovakia, which had inspired peaceful transition to democracy in 1989. Mr. Zaorálek reiterated the strong commitment to the robust, multilateral human rights system which responded timely to human rights abuses around the world, with an independent and agile Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights at its core, and a vibrant civil society. Czechia was hoping to join the membership of the Council in 2019 and its priority was to promote and strengthen human rights mechanisms, and to actively uphold the rights of disadvantaged groups such as women, children, migrants and refugees, and others. It would continue to promote education for human rights and democracy, would promote citizens’ engagement in public and political affairs, and would use funding to support the capacities of human rights non-governmental organizations and free media throughout the world. The Czech Republic would continue to speak out against the attempts of States to supress peaceful civic engagement or insubordinate civil society. The authors of Charter 77 wished for the citizens to lead dignified lives as free people; their efforts had shown that it was through inclusion and empowerment of the most vulnerable that true substance and meaning was given to freedom. Czechia was ready to live up to this legacy and strive for the better promotion of human rights at home and all around the world.

BÄRBEL KOFLER Federal Government Commissioner for Human Rights Policy and Humanitarian Aid of Germany, said the Council was unique because of the special role its founding fathers and mothers had granted to civil society and national human rights institutions. It was important to listen to what civil society had to say, as a vibrant civil society in which different voices could be heard was key to building strong societies and achieving security and stability. Germany was also dismayed at increasing restrictions on civil society engagement in a number of States, including freedom of speech, assembly and association, as well as the right to a fair trial. If the space for civil society was curtailed, it would be forced underground, which would ultimately create instability. Effective protection of human rights remained as urgent as ever, particularly as millions of people were on the move, many of them involuntarily, fleeing persecution, war, poverty and hunger. In both countries of transit and destination, where refugees and migrants were particularly vulnerable, human rights needed to be respected. The Commissioner highlighted that Germany had accepted over one million people fleeing from war and conflict.

GENNADY GATILOV, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Russia, said that threats and challenges that the world was facing today required a reset in how the security of societies, States and communities was assured. A stable world order was crucial, which could only be achieved by strengthening global and regional security. Russia warned against attempts to change regimes, which in the Middle East had released a genie of terrorism and unravelled centuries of progress. Terrorism had become a global threat but anti-terrorist approaches must be based on the sound respect for international law, in particular respect for the principle of national sovereignty and the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of States. The situation in Ukraine was far from stable, with the rise of ultra-radical and neo-Nazi movements which were openly calling for ethnic cleansing. Ukraine was at risk of falling into a fraternal war; the United Nations must work for the achievement of the Minsk Agreements. Mr. Gatilov regretted that the reforms of the United Nations were put forward without the agreement of Member States, as was the case with the reforms of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. An alarming symptom was an attempt to confirm the exclusive role of the Human Rights Council as the main human rights body in the United Nations system, ignoring the fact that it was accountable to the Third Committee which was then accountable to all United Nations Member States. Proposals to establish links between the Human Rights Council and the Security Council were also harmful; the Council must take a thoughtful approach to evaluating the various initiatives and focus on building a consensus and take into account the opinion of all Member States on issues at hand.

ALFONSO NSUE MOKUY, Third Deputy Prime Minister for Human Rights of Equatorial Guinea, said that the Government of Equatorial Guinea was ready to establish close cooperation with the Human Rights Council. Mr. Mokuy briefed the Council on the steps taken by the Government to enhance the enjoyment of human rights, namely with respect to health care. Health care was free of charge for all pregnant women and for those suffering from malaria, HIV/AIDS and other epidemics. Equatorial Guinea was one of the countries that had fully achieved the Millennium Development Goal 5. As for education, the Government had created an inclusive programme to train all teachers in primary and secondary education in new pedagogical approaches, as well as to reduce female illiteracy. All three levels of education were based on a human rights approach. As for the judiciary, training centres for judges had been established. Healthcare for prison inmates had been improved, as well as the visiting system. The Government was working together with the United States Embassy on a plan of action to fight human trafficking. It was taking steps to prevent and punish all acts of torture and to harmonize national laws with relevant international treaties. As for gender equality, the country’s basic law guaranteed equality between women and men, and it stipulated gender mainstreaming in all areas of public life. Providing full enjoyment of rights to persons with disabilities had been one of the Government’s priorities, and conditions had been created to allow children with disabilities to attend regular schools.


For use of the information media; not an official record

HRC17/006E