AFTERNOON - Human Rights Council Holds Interactive Dialogue on the Annual Report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Hearing Speakers Raise Concerns about Pushbacks against Women’s Rights, Shrinking Civic Space, and Mitigating Harms of Artificial Intelligence

The Human Rights Council this afternoon held an interactive dialogue on the annual report of Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, which was presented on 19 June, hearing speakers raise concerns about pushbacks against women’s rights, shrinking civic space, and mitigating harms of artificial intelligence, among other issues. 

During the discussion, some speakers commended the Office of the High Commissioner for the report, and for the progress made in the promotion and protection of human rights, in an international context which was marked by complex and multifaceted crises.  The report served as a reminder for upholding fundamental human rights, and highlighted the need for advancing their implementation, and ensuring compliance with States’ binding international human rights obligations. 

Many speakers welcomed the work carried out by the Office of the High Commissioner, in the context of technical assistance and capacity building provided to Member States, to enable them to better comply with their international human rights commitments.  Many agreed with the statement of the High Commissioner that, “a strong United Nations Human Rights Office and a healthy, well-resourced human rights ecosystem were a global public good”, and reiterated their commitment to supporting the system.  They stressed the need for an adequate budget and sufficient resources to enable the Office of the High Commissioner and the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms to deliver on their mandate.  States should strengthen international cooperation and solidarity to effectively confront current and future challenges

Some speakers called on all States to cooperate with the Office, to grant access to Special Procedures, and to follow up on the High Commissioner’s recommendations.  This year, when commemorating the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the thirtieth anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, it was essential that the United Nations family stood together, in support of the fundamental, universal and intrinsic value of all human rights. 

The leadup to the thirtieth anniversary of the International Day of Families was an opportunity to raise awareness on the importance of increasing cooperation and partnerships on family issues, some speakers said.  The Office of the High Commissioner was called on to compile best practices in family-oriented policies, especially in the context of crises, and to disseminate them among Member States.

Many speakers highlighted that the pushback against women’s rights and gender equality was undermining the universality, and the fundamental principles, of human rights.  It was important to pay particular attention to those in the most vulnerable situations, including women and girls, children, religious and ethnic minorities, older persons, and persons with disabilities.  Speakers reiterated their commitment to continue to stand up for gender equality, women’s empowerment and women’s rights, and stressed the importance of mobilising young persons as key agents for change.  There could be no peace and sustainable development if the rights of women and girls were not guaranteed.

A number of speakers shared the concerns of the High Commissioner about increasingly shrinking civic space, crackdowns on peaceful assembly, and attacks and reprisals, both online and offline, against those cooperating with the United Nations.  Civil society representatives, human rights defenders, journalists and legal representatives were the bedrock of human rights advancement and accountability for human rights violations.  Unacceptable measures against these people were strongly condemned.

The topic of artificial intelligence, and the potential for this technology to exacerbate global inequalities, was echoed as a concern by some speakers.  They underscored that the use of artificial intelligence by States needed to be consistent with obligations under human rights law.  There was a need for a study to mitigate present and future harms of artificial intelligence. 

Some speakers said they rejected any practices that would divert the Human Rights Council from its responsibility to promote and protect human rights in a fair and just manner.  Concern was expressed at attempts by some hegemonic countries to use human rights as an instrument against developing countries.  There was no objective reaction to violations of human rights by the collective West; instead they criticised those that did not fit Western human rights cliches.  Some speakers believed that unilateral coercive measures impacted on the enjoyment of human rights. 

The Council and its various mechanisms needed to adhere to the principles of universality, impartiality and objectivity, and to avoid selectivity and politicisation, a number of speakers said.  It was important to address the human rights situation in all States on an equal footing, and to reject the selective targeting of specific States that reflected double standards. 

During the debate, delegations denounced human rights violations committed in many countries, regions and territories, including armed conflict; massacres; internal repression of civil society; discrimination against women and girls; repression against political dissent; anti-homosexuality laws and rhetoric; deterioration of respect of the rule of law; violence against human rights defenders; persecution against indigenous populations; sexual and gender-based violence; crimes against humanity; decline of media freedom and safety of journalists; intimidation of opposition media; and war crimes.

Some speakers maintained that a life of dignity for all meant securing social and economic rights, including the rights to work, housing, food, water and sanitation.  The full enjoyment of all human rights required a vibrant civic space to allow all voices to be heard.  Adequate and equal attention needed to be given to economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development and civil and political rights. 

A number of speakers said they appreciated the tireless efforts of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and his Office, in promoting human rights worldwide.  Many held the work of the Human Rights Council in the highest esteem, hailing it as the key forum for channelling the full range of human rights issues.  The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights’ support for independent, investigative, accountability mechanisms was invaluable.  Many speakers reiterated their commitment to supporting human rights mechanisms and their desire to cooperate with the Office.  

Some speakers noted that climate change posed the most formidable challenge to the rights of people in the Pacific regions and addressing climate-related issues remained an utmost priority.  The issue of climate change had exacerbated the situation of vulnerable groups.  Speakers supported the work of the Office of the High Commissioner on climate change, and appreciated the commitment to building a healthy and sustainable environment. 

Speaking in the interactive discussion were Australia on behalf of a group of countries, China on behalf of a group of countries, European Union, Zimbabwe on behalf of a group of countries, Lebanon on behalf of a group of Arab States, United States on behalf of a group of countries, Côte d'Ivoire on behalf of a group of African States, Côte d'Ivoire on behalf of a group of countries, Bahamas on behalf of the Caribbean Community, United Kingdom on behalf of a group of countries, Burkina Faso on behalf of a group of countries, Pakistan of behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Oman on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Egypt, Norway, Germany, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Peru, Portugal, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Burkina Faso, Costa Rica, Netherlands, Armenia, Liechtenstein, Belgium, Japan, Czech Republic, Italy, Slovenia, Ecuador, Sovereign Order of Malta, Paraguay, United States, France, Spain, Australia, Bahrain, Finland, El Salvador, Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Morocco, Maldives, Brazil, India, United Kingdom, Syria, State of Palestine, Cameroon, Ireland, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, South Africa, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Malawi, Tanzania, Oman, China, Gambia, Switzerland, Republic of Moldova, Denmark, Austria, Chile, Niger, Senegal, Yemen, South Sudan, Mauritania, Iraq, Jordan, Argentina, Georgia, Holy See, Mali, Zambia, Cuba, Russian Federation, Romania, Algeria, Lebanon, Botswana, Kenya, Montenegro, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Bolivia, Thailand, Nepal, Sweden, Mozambique, Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia, Philippines, Belarus, Lesotho, Côte d'Ivoire, Iran, Rwanda, Uruguay, Ukraine, Greece, Panama, Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Vanuatu, Nigeria, Croatia, Sri Lanka, Samoa, Türkiye, Viet Nam and Estonia.

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-third regular session can be found here.

The Council will next meet on Wednesday, 21 June at 10 a.m. to continue the interactive dialogue with the High Commissioner on his annual report, followed by the panel discussion on human rights violations against Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar.

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HRC23.066E