Opening Statement by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein at the 30th session of the Human Rights Council in
Geneva, 14 September 2015
Mr President, Excellencies,
It was the way he lay: asleep, terminal, so profoundly sad –
as if by lying in supplication before the waves that killed him he was asking
for a replay, with a different outcome this time; and his socks and little
shoes told us he was ready to try life again. But his cheek on the soft sand
whispered otherwise, it made us choke.
Shamed and disgraced, the world wept before the body of this little boy.
These speeches, these sessions, these protests by so many of
us here for a world more humane and more dignifying of the rights of all
humans, all humans – what good are they, when this happens? Not just once, not just to this tiny boy,
Aylan Al Kurdi, but to so many across the world: the horror they experience,
relayed daily to us through the news media, shreds our hopes for some mercy,
some relief.
Mr President,
After a year as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights I,
together with many of my colleagues at the Office, feel exhausted and
angry.
Exhausted, because the system is barely able to cope given
the resources available to it, while human misery accelerates. From poverty of annihilating proportions in
many conflict-ridden areas where peace remains elusive, to the denial of the civil
and political rights of peoples trapped between the pincers of ruthless
extremists and governments fighting them; hatred; bigotry; racism – it all
seems too overwhelming.
And angry, because it seems that little that we say will
change this. To take one utterly shameful example, despite the horrific human
rights violations in Syria that have been investigated, enumerated, discussed,
we must continue to deplore the international community's failure to act.
Unless we change dramatically in how we think and behave as international
actors – Member States, inter-governmental organizations and non-governmental
organizations alike – all of us, in the human rights community, will be
inconsequential in the face of such mounting violations.
And yet the selflessness of the finest UN staff members –
like those from OHCHR whom I met in Bangui two weeks ago, working in the most
difficult, dangerous, environments to record and report on human rights
violations; and the stunning courage of human rights defenders throughout the
world; the loneliness and pain of refugees and other rights-holding migrants;
the hundreds of millions who suffer from hunger, discrimination, torture – they
prevent us from conceding defeat.
We are mindful, also, that some countries in the Middle East
– Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey – and in Europe – Germany and Sweden – show
commendable humanity and leadership when it comes to hosting refugees and
migrants needing protection. And there are millions of ordinary people who in
opening their individual homes to refugees and other migrants have also
demonstrated remarkable generosity, and a kindness that should be repeated
elsewhere. The outpouring of human conscience that surged up following the
publication of the photograph of Aylan, gave evidence for a counter-narrative
to the mean-spiritedness of some decision-makers who have been whipping up the
baser instincts of their populations.
And so I implore decision-makers in Africa, the Americas,
Asia and the Pacific – as well as Europe – to take swift action to establish
effective and principled migration governance. States have a sovereign right to
secure their borders, and to determine conditions of entry and stay in their
territories. But they also have an obligation to respect international human
rights law, refugee law and humanitarian law.
I welcome the President of the EU Commission's proposal last
week to relocate a further 120,000 people in member states, and his statement
that this is "a matter of humanity and dignity". In Austria, Belgium,
Finland, Germany, Sweden and even – despite the long-standing xenophobia of
tabloids and some politicians – the United Kingdom, ordinary people have
volunteered, not only assistance, but also political support for the rights of
migrants and refugees. I urge European States to build on this surge of human
feeling by putting in place an architecture of migration governance that is far
more comprehensive, thoughtful, principled and effective. We need expanded
channels of regular migration and resettlement – two measures which would
prevent deaths and cut smuggling. Detention, particularly of children, and all
forms of ill-treatment should cease, at borders and elsewhere.
I concur that there is no one swift solution to the terror,
the trauma, the deprivation and neglect that drive so many millions of people
to leave all that they have, and all they have ever known. To restore human
rights in their homelands will take long and focused work. And yes, it is true
the people most responsible for their migration are those leaders who have failed
to uphold human rights, and robbed their people of hope.
But what we need from you, the distinguished members of the
Human Rights Council, is a pledge to connect what you say here to material
action on all fronts. The
recommendations of the UPR and all other human rights mechanisms must be
implemented; the standing invitations to Special Procedures, broadened; reports
to mechanisms and treaty bodies must be accurate and timely; double-standards
must be banished, and hypocrisy, recognized.
We need your support to assist your countries, as well as
others. We need you to accept scrutiny or criticism, and not to withdraw your
voluntary contributions because we speak out. Ultimately it is you who exercise
sovereign authority and bear that responsibility toward your own people. It is
you who should be answerable to them – to respect and not fear them; to serve
and not enslave them; to dignify, and not discredit them. My Office will be there to help where and
when we can, upon request, and to comment when we receive information that
raises concern. But in this, we are not infringing on the sovereign rights of
any country.
Sovereignty cannot be damaged by carefully evaluated
commentary. The search for truth can do many things, but it does not weaken,
violate or assault. But sovereignty is
indeed threatened when tyranny in one country flings millions of people into
flight and turmoil, and fuels the savagery of extremists who respect no laws or
borders. Sovereignty is jeopardised when epidemics, unleashed by abject living
conditions and failures to ensure health-care, endanger lives everywhere. When
leaders responsible for crimes against humanity go unpunished, and a culture of
impunity feeds future cycles of violent instability across whole regions. When
massive floods and endless droughts, kicked up by climate change, modify every
parameter of people’s livelihoods regardless of State frontiers. When criminal
networks, including human traffickers, are able to operate across countries
freely. When corruption and cronyism eat away at the rule of law, the sense of
community, the possibility of sustainable development and the legitimacy of
government authority. These are factors which truly do endanger the sovereignty
of States.
Upholding human
rights is intrinsic to the obligations of sovereignty, and constitutes the fundamental
basis for a healthy State. The voice of human rights is raised in support of
your governance – to assist in building societies that are resilient, peaceful
and prosperous.
Instability is expensive. Conflict is expensive. Offering a
space for the voices of civil society to air grievances, and work towards
solutions, is free.
When ordinary people can share ideas to overcome common
problems, the result is better, more healthy, more secure and more sustainable
States. It is not treachery to identify gaps, and spotlight ugly truths that
hold a country back from being more just and more inclusive. When States limit
public freedoms and the independent voices of civic activity, they deny
themselves the benefits of public engagement, and undermine national security,
national prosperity and our collective progress. Civil society – enabled by the
freedoms of expression, association and peaceful assembly – is a valuable
partner, not a threat.
Yet for several years, I and my predecessor have enumerated
at this Council States that have taken extremely serious steps to restrict or
persecute the voices of civil society. While I will continue to list them, I am
devastated to have to report that there are now too many countries on that list
for me to name them here today. This is a grim indictment of our record in
protecting that foundation of good governance, the State’s service to its
people, and it bodes ill for the future of your societies.
Overly restrictive legislation is enacted to limit the
exercise of public freedoms and work by civil society organisations. In many
situations, the voices of minority communities are suppressed and their
activists and advocates are crushed. Women human rights defenders are targeted
for specific attacks, often grounded in harmful and out-dated stereotypes of
women’s so-called "place". Measures are taken to sharply restrict the
democratic space online, including blocking of websites and mass surveillance.
Several States seem almost to be engaged in a war on information, in which
legitimate critics and journalists are targeted for violence, arbitrary arrest
and detention, and even murder – particularly those who investigate human
rights violations, corruption and malfeasance by officials.
I am, for example, concerned about the detention and
interrogation in recent months of more than 100 lawyers in China, in connection
with their professional activities, and by the adoption of new laws with
far-reaching implications for NGOs. I am also dismayed by the stigmatisation of
foreign-funded NGOs in the Russian Federation, where the 2012 law has resulted
in marginalising and discrediting organisations that contribute to the public
good. I hope that the newly established expert group, consisting of Government
officials, parliamentarians and civil society representatives will come up with
solutions to this issue. Similar restrictive laws have been adopted in Central
Asia, contravening the people's right to participate in, and criticise,
decisions.
Some Member States have sought to prevent civil society
actors from working with UN human rights mechanisms, including this Council.
Session after session, they attempt to bar from accreditation – based on spurious allegations of terrorist
or criminal activity – groups that strive to expose problems and propose
remedies. Reprisals have targeted some activists who have participated in
Council-related activities, undermining the legitimacy and credibility of the
international human rights institutions.
I call for your contributions to my forthcoming report to
the Council on good examples in the civil society space. The construction of
rule of law institutions that promote governance that is participatory,
accountable and transparent. Regulatory frameworks which protect and support
the right of grassroots organisations to raise their voices. Positive political
and public environments which recognize the value of civic contribution, the
free flow of information, and space at the decision-making table. These are the
tools that build public confidence and stability in the long term.
The United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
constitutes universal recognition that the challenges faced by any one of us
may swiftly become crises faced by all. It grasps that these challenges cannot
effectively be met by tinkering around the edges of economic, social and
political governance, but require a fundamental shift in the dominant
development model in all countries. The new Agenda offers real hope for
stability, prosperity and conflict prevention. It points to development that is
sustainable, equitable for all, environmentally sound, and grounded in human
rights. Its promises must be implemented. I have high hopes for the Summit
which will convene in New York in a few days, and I note that we may wish to
consider how this Council, notably through the UPR, can best contribute to the
implementation of this transformative agenda.
In December, the international community will gather for the
United Nations Conference on Climate Change, an issue so vast and threatening
to peace, prosperity, social justice, and indeed life itself, that it demands
we seek solutions together – or face irreparable damage to humanity. Climate
change is a threat multiplier, a force that intensifies the likelihood of poverty
and deprivation of all kinds; conflict; and the precarious migration of people.
Mr President,
In the Central African Republic, which I visited two weeks
ago, the most severe human rights violations have declined significantly since
last year. But in several areas armed groups have set themselves up as de facto
local authorities, and they continue to operate with almost total impunity.
While a few alleged perpetrators have been charged with crimes, for the most
part these have been minor figures. The most notorious leaders, with much blood
on their hands, remain at liberty. The Government and the UN must do more to
support the fight against impunity and to protect people from ongoing threats.
It is critical to redress the national justice system and to swiftly set up the
Special Criminal Court. Impunity is not the price of political stability; it is
a strong driver of conflict.
I am also profoundly concerned about the impunity enjoyed by
perpetrators of serious human rights violations in Sudan, particularly in
Darfur, the Blue Nile and South Kordofan. I urge the international community's
support and assistance to the International Criminal Court. The people of Sudan
deserve justice and redress no less than those of other countries.
There has also been near-absolute impunity for violations
committed in South Sudan. UNMISS has reported further shocking atrocities in
the course of an upsurge in fighting that began in April. I welcome the recent
peace agreement and trust that there will be rigorous implementation of its
provisions on transitional justice and accountability – among them the proposed
hybrid court to try serious crimes, including genocide, war crimes and crimes
against humanity.
I remain deeply troubled by allegations of human rights
violations in Somalia, by all parties. Violations of freedom of expression,
forced evictions of displaced people in Mogadishu, and numerous reported cases
of sexual violence also remain major concerns. It is vital to strengthen rule
of law institutions to fight against impunity for human rights violations. I
urge the Federal Government of Somalia to put human rights at the centre of the
political and stabilization agenda, as a pre-condition for real peace.
In Mali, I regret to note that the people's hope for peace
following signature of the Peace and Reconciliation Accord has been tarnished
by violation of the ceasefire, and related human rights violations. Further
efforts are needed to compel all parties to comply with the Accord, and to
ensure protection of the human rights of all Malians.
I continue to be concerned about the situation in Eritrea,
where the Commission of Inquiry's findings suggest that crimes against humanity
may have been committed. My Office undertook an assessment mission to Eritrea
earlier this year, and we hope that a second mission before the end of the year
can find areas where we can cooperate with the authorities to strengthen
national protection systems and implement the recommendations of the human
rights mechanisms.
As this Council is aware, there have been some 100 deaths
and over 600 arrests in the current crisis in Burundi, with over 180,000 people
fleeing to neighbouring countries. The democratic space in Burundi has been
largely erased, and the consequences for the nation and the Great Lakes region
could be disastrous.
I welcome the important agreement between Iran and its
international partners on nuclear issues, which promises to engage Iran more
closely with the international community and alleviate some of the consequences
of sanctions. I urge Iran to make
commensurate progress in human rights. Accelerated use of the death penalty,
concerns about the right to a fair trial, and the continued detention of
journalists, bloggers and human rights defenders remain major causes for
concern.
In Myanmar, the promise of democratic transition in
November's general election is being undermined by the detention and
convictions of student activists, farmers, unionists and human rights defenders
– people who are using their newfound rights to freedom of expression and
peaceful assembly to protest against injustice and participate in the political
sphere. I strongly deplore the disenfranchisement of the majority of Rohingya
due to a number of administrative and legal decisions in 2014 and 2015. Dozens
of current Members of Parliament from the Muslim community and other minority
groups – including prominent Rohingya MPs – have been refused permission to run
as candidates because it is claimed that they or their parents are not
citizens.
In the Maldives, the rule of law continues to be manipulated
for political ends. I was initially encouraged by the Government’s decision, in
July, to move former President Nasheed to house arrest, for health reasons and
to appeal his conviction after a flawed trial. But the decision to return him
to prison last month, and pursuit of a further criminal investigation against
his family, are serious setbacks. Given
the deeply tainted nature of this case, I urge the Government to release him,
and to review several hundred pending criminal cases against opposition supporters
in relation to protests in recent months.
In Malaysia, the Government has increasingly sought to
restrict public debate and protest around issues of governance and corruption.
This effort has included amendments to the 1948 Sedition Act, to further
broaden the activities categorized as offenses and introduce harsher penalties,
and the arrest of individuals for tweeting criticism of corruption by officials
or the policies of the Government or malfeasance by officials. It is
unfortunate that such a confident and dynamic country should feel the need to
intimidate critical voices.
The Australian government has recently decided to resettle
more refugees from Syria. Yet the Government continues to restrict independent
monitoring of detention centres for asylum seekers arriving by boat. Their
access to medical care, independent legal counselling and journalists has also
been curtailed. One consequence is that the public is misinformed about the
situation in immigration centres.
I have also been concerned about the recent violence in the
Terai region of Nepal, which has led to the death and injury of protestors and
security personnel, as well as reported attacks against human rights defenders
and journalists. I urge all political leaders to work together to address
differences over the proposed constitution peacefully, and to ensure that the
security forces uphold human rights at all times.
I am disturbed by the recent collective deportation of more
than one thousand Colombians from Venezuela. My Office has been informed that
this involved human rights violations, including lack of due process,
destruction of property and separation of children from their families. The
deportees may include large numbers of people in need of international
protection. This deportation has generated such fear that thousands more have
spontaneously fled. I urge the authorities to take immediate measures to
guarantee family reunification and to prevent further abuse of Colombians.
My Office also continues to follow up the Dominican
Republic's deportations of people of Haitian descent. I continue to urge the
authorities to ensure that those with a valid claim to remain are allowed to do
so, and that any deportation is carried out in line with international human
rights standards.
Immigration has also been the object of shameless political
grand-standing in the United States. I also remain very concerned about
persistent discrimination against African-Americans. Repeated acts of violence
have highlighted racial biases in law enforcement, criminal justice and other
areas. I encourage the US, and indeed all States, to take advantage of the
programme of activities of the International Decade for People of African
Descent to strengthen efforts to combat racial discrimination in the justice
system, housing, employment, education, health and political participation.
The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine reported
last week that almost 8,000 people have been killed since the start of the
conflict in April last year. I am alarmed by the shelling of residential areas
on both sides of the contact line, with only partial withdrawal of heavy
weapons from the area as foreseen in the Minsk Agreements. Civilians living
near the contact line endure extreme hardship, including limited access to food
and water. At the same time, I welcome the recent adoption of a national human
rights strategy, and the on-going development of a national human rights action
plan by Ukraine. ASG Simonovic will be further updating this Council on 29
September, under item 10.
In the Republic of Moldova, I urge immediate responses,
grounded in human rights, to address people’s grievances regarding grave
mismanagement of public funds, lack of transparency, and failures of
information, participation and accountability. If not addressed properly, these
concerns could lead to greater polarization of society, the deterioration of
human rights, and dangerous political and economic instability.
I remain concerned about the continued social exclusion and
forced evictions of Roma in several countries, including Bulgaria and France.
In Guatemala, massive demonstrations protesting corruption
by officials recently resulted in the resignation and subsequent arrests of the
Vice-President and the President. Elections which took place a week ago were
largely peaceful, with a high turnout of voters and strong demands for an
urgent and comprehensive reform of the State. My Office stands ready to assist
reforms, which I hope will be carried out in the very near future.
Anti-corruption protests have been taking place in Honduras
since May. I welcome the President’s call for “unconditional dialogue” with
protesters, and plans to crack down on graft in politics and in the judiciary.
In Ecuador, recent demonstrations have sparked excessive use
of force by police and possibly arbitrary detentions. I remind the Government
that the people have a right to the freedoms of peaceful assembly and of
expression.
One year ago, 43 students disappeared in Mexico, and were
likely murdered by criminal gangs connected to corrupt officials. I welcome the
Mexican Government’s decision to seek the assistance of the Inter-American
Commission, through its Interdisciplinary Group of Experts. Their report has
provided authorities with important recommendations that I trust will be
comprehensively followed-up, in order to refocus the investigation, scrutinise
the responsibility of authorities at all levels, and establish the truth.
Long-standing disputes over indigenous land continue to
cause suffering and loss of life in Brazil. I note in particular the killing of
a leader of the Guarani-Kaiowa people last month, and I urge the authorities to
not only investigate this death, but also to take far-reaching action to halt
further evictions and properly demarcate all land.
The situation in Iraq remains of serious concern. Although
the government and associated military forces have reclaimed some territory
from ISIL, the group still retains control of a large area. More than three
million Iraqis have been displaced from their homes since June 2014, with heavy
loss of civilian life. Large numbers of women and children remain enslaved by
ISIL, which also continues to violently abuse minorities and critics in areas
under its control, and to perpetrate terrorist attacks in other areas of the
country. In areas reclaimed from ISIL, civilians are subject to armed militias,
which perpetrate killings, kidnappings and destruction of property. You will be
further updated on Iraq later in this session.
The situation on the ground in Yemen continues to be a cause
for serious concern. My Office has found that over 2,000 civilians have been
killed and more than 4,000 wounded. The humanitarian crisis is deepening, with
estimates that as many as 21 million Yemenis – 80% of the population – are in
need of humanitarian assistance. Credible allegations of human rights
violations by all parties to the conflict should be thoroughly examined by an
independent and comprehensive body. In this regard I welcome the announcement
by the Yemeni authorities to set up an investigative body to examine all these
allegations, and I strongly urge revival of the talks between the exiled
government and the Houthis.
All of us are aware of the deepening nightmare that is
Syria. Violating the prohibition of use of chemical weapons; the prohibition of
torture; every norm intended to protect civilians; and, more broadly, every
principle of human rights, such relentless, long-lasting and vicious violence
bites deeply into the sense of community that underpins peace and well-being in
our world. The international community – and specifically the Security Council
– has great power and influence over this terrible conflict, and it must now
urgently find the consensus to act. I also urge in the strongest possible terms
an immediate end to the devastating obstruction of humanitarian aid to the
people of Syria and of Yemen. There should be far greater concern for the
protection of civilians, as laid down by international humanitarian law.
In Libya, we continue to see indiscriminate attacks on
civilians and civilian objects through the use of imprecise weaponry in
densely-populated areas; destruction of homes; summary executions and arbitrary
detention; and torture and other ill-treatment, in some cases leading to death.
Impunity is near-absolute, and migrants, refugees, women human rights
defenders, the internally displaced and religious minorities are intensely
vulnerable to violations. The Assistant Secretary General will further update
you on our concerns in the course of this session.
I am profoundly dismayed by the persistence of serious human
rights concerns in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory. A permanent
and just resolution must be found to this long-standing conflict and occupation,
in line with international norms. I note the spike in killings of Palestinians
in incidents involving Israeli security forces in the West Bank over the past
two months, which raise concern of excessive use of force, and the murderous
arson of a Palestinian home in the West Bank village of Duma – sadly not the
only act of violence against Palestinian homes in recent months. I am also
concerned by an increasingly restrictive atmosphere in Israel, including for
those who are critical of Israeli occupation policies and practices, and by
legislation that enables financial penalisation of those who advocate for
boycotts of Israeli settlements.
My Office has recently conducted missions to Morocco, to
Western Sahara, and to the Saharan refugee camps near Tindouf, in Algeria, to
gather greater understanding of the human rights situation and challenges in
that region, and explore ways for cooperation to ensure effective human rights
protection for all. Respect for the rights of the Saharan population remains
essential to achieving resolution of this long-standing dispute.
Mr President,
Six years ago, we were confronted with serious violations
and loss of civilian life in the last months of Sri Lanka’s long civil war.
This Council has been deeply engaged with the need for accountability, as a
necessary step towards reconciliation in that country. On Wednesday I will
release the report of the comprehensive investigation that OHCHR was mandated
to conduct in March 2014, including my recommendations. Its findings are of the
most serious nature. I welcome the vision shown by President Sirisena since his
election in January 2015, and the commitments made by the new Government under
his leadership. But this Council owes it to Sri Lankans – and to its own
credibility – to ensure an accountability process that produces results,
decisively moves beyond the failures of the past, and brings the deep institutional
changes needed to guarantee non-recurrence.
In the course of my mission to the Central African Republic
earlier this month, new allegations came to light regarding the sexual
exploitation of a minor by a member of the Sangaris force. Although this was
not part of the UN peacekeeping operation, I strongly believe that the time has
come for Member States to take decisive action regarding investigation and
courts-martial of peacekeepers involved in such abuses – in line with the
recommendations that I made ten years ago, as adviser to the Secretary-General
on this topic, which were upheld recently by the High Level Panel on Peace
Operations.
In June I travelled to Seoul to open OHCHR’s new office. As
mandated by this Council, it will be a hub for monitoring, reporting and
engagement on human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. I look
forward to updating Council members later in the session. Allow me to note also
that at the request of this Council, I intend to send a mission to South Sudan
in October.
Later in this session, we will update you on human rights
developments in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Libya and Ukraine, and on
violations and atrocities committed by Boko Haram. My office will present
reports on human rights in Yemen, technical assistance to Iraq, and the work of
the Office in Cambodia.
Additionally, the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention will
be presenting the ‘UN Basic Principles and Guidelines on Remedies and
Procedures on the Right of Anyone Deprived of their Liberty by Arrest or
Detention to Bring Proceedings before Court.’ This new protection tool, which
was developed at the request of this Council through extensive global
consultation, compiles and complements the existing norms of international law,
standards and jurisprudence. I congratulate the Working Group on this essential
contribution to the protection of any person against arbitrary detention,
including secret detention, prolonged incommunicado detention, enforced
disappearances, and torture.
Far too few of us are aware of the specific human rights
violations faced by millions of intersex people. Because their bodies don’t
comply with typical definitions of male or female, intersex children and adults
are frequently subjected to forced sterilization and other unnecessary and
irreversible surgery, and suffer discrimination in schools, workplaces and
other settings. We plan an expert meeting to identify steps that States and
others can take to end these abuses.
Mr President,
Excellencies,
On 13 July I gave Member States a comprehensive briefing on
the OHCHR Change Initiative. I emphasized that our planned regional hubs will
position the Office to work more closely with Member States, ensuring real
universality and facilitating greater support for this Council’s
recommendations. The hubs will better balance our work geographically, and they
will require no rise in our regular budget resources. In fact, decentralising
resources will result in savings that will be reinvested, to strengthen the
support we are able to provide.
It is in this context that I appeal to Member States to
endorse OHCHR’s regular budget proposal for 2016-2017, amounting to $198.7
million. I believe that this budget request should be considered minimal, in
regard to the breadth and depth of the work we do, and it reflects a very
significant effort to make the Office more efficient and more cost-effective.
We count on your Governments to assist, and in the coming weeks I will follow
up with many of you in this regard.
Mr President,
A cadence of anniversaries, beginning a year ago with the
end of World War 1 and tolling through the past months, with the liberation of
Auschwitz and the horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, calls us to revisit the
lessons that led to the founding of our institution. Those lessons cannot die
with the generation that lived through those wars. They teach us, not only pity
and horror for such atrocious suffering and broken lives; not only admiration
for extraordinary individual courage and resilience; but wisdom, the difficult
lessons of statesmanship.
In recent months, I have also given deep thought to the acts
of genocide in Rwanda and Srebrenica. I have been privileged to share a
conversation with three elderly South Korean victims of wartime sexual slavery,
who deserve the dignity of real acknowledgment of what they were forced to
endure. And like so many, I have been moved to profound sorrow by the plight of
the little boy on the beach, who represents in his life and death the injustices
suffered by so many others.
Our lives are connected to one another. Actions and
decisions in one country affect many other States; they shake the lives of many
people, no less important and no less human than you and I. When the
fundamental principles of human rights are not protected, the centre of our
institution no longer holds. It is they that promote development that is
sustainable; peace that is secure; and lives of dignity.
Thank you.
ENDS
For more information and media requests, please contact
please contact Rupert Colville (+41 22 917 9767 / rcolville@ohchr.org) orCécile
Pouilly (+41 22 917 9310 / cpouilly@ohchr.org)
UN Human Rights, follow us on social media:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/UNrightswire
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/UNOHCHR
Storify:
http://storify.com/UNrightswire
Nema komentara:
Objavi komentar