High-level panel discussion on human rights mainstreaming: “Enhancement of international cooperation in the field of human rights” Statement by Flavia Pansieri, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights

Excellencies, Colleagues and Friends,

            I am pleased to open this panel discussion on the ways in which international cooperation can work to close gaps in human rights protection around the world. In this vital year for global development, such discussion could not be more timely.

As you know, this year will also mark the 70th anniversary of the UN Charter, perhaps the most significant commitment by States in global history to cooperate in the quest to establish peace, development and human rights for all. It was drawn up after the horrors  of two world wars, genocide, and the despair of the Great Depression. States therefore agreed to abide by a Charter that would help them achieve “better standards of life in larger freedom” and to deploy “international cooperation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural or humanitarian character; and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion”.

There has been great progress in those 70 years, beginning with the absence of a World War III, the absence of nuclear war, and the maintenance of a considerable degree of peace. Today we see far higher rates of child survival, and vastly improved education (and access to education) in most countries. Most people have much better access to health-care, and there has been real alleviation of poverty across large areas. Peacekeeping and peace-making has successfully mediated numerous conflicts, and have brought many others to a peaceful close. And human rights have advanced.

If we look at the key area of the human rights of women – one-half the people of the world – we can see this very clearly. Twenty years after the landmark Fourth World Conference for Women in Beijing, almost as many girls as boys attend primary schools; maternal mortality has declined by almost 50%; and gender equality is acknowledged – in theory – to be both legitimate and indispensable. Many countries have improved laws to criminalize violence against women, and to acknowledge that women are equal in terms of nationality, inheritance and other legal rights.

But the picture is far from perfect. In fact, for many people, it is not even close to satisfactory. one in three women experiences physical or sexual violence in her lifetime – which to me signifies that not nearly enough is being done in terms of prevention. In over 50 countries, there is no legal protection for women against domestic violence. Because their health is not considered to be a priority, hundreds of thousands of women and girls continue to die every year from preventable causes related to child-bearing. One girl in three is married off while still a child. So-called “honour” killings are shockingly frequent. While the efforts to combat female genital mutilation have seen some success in terms of legal reforms, 60 million girls in the world have been genitally mutilated.  And gender stereotypes continue to compromise women’s enjoyment of rights all over the world. 

We see this same picture on so many issues. States come together to pledge cooperation, but they do not act together with the same strength.

Sometimes the difficulty is conceptual.

For example, the MDGs unquestionably brought progress on many topics, but too often, policy-makers focused on aggregate economic growth. They neglected the people in vulnerable situations, and they failed to see the world in terms of the human rights of every woman, man and child. The right to development is key here. Not only in its interdependence with every other right - economic, social, civil and political. But also, perhaps most vitally, in its requirement that every woman, man and child should not be discriminated against, and should able to participate freely in the decisions made by their communities and States that affect them.

Fairness and the rule of law must extend into the economic sphere. As we continue working to define the post-2015 development agenda, this strong and inclusive commitment to human rights must underpin our work. Ensuring that the financing framework of post-2015 sustainable development is consistent with existing human rights agreements, principles and obligations is a key priority for OHCHR.

To be transformative, a forward-looking approach to measurement will be also critical. As part of the ‘data revolution’ we must invest in new data that goes beyond monitoring averages, so the progress can be monitored for all social groups and no one is left behind. Also, a robust framework for the review and monitoring of the global partnership for sustainable development based on specific, measurable, time-bound targets will be necessary to ensure accountability of all relevant actors.

Excellencies,

2015 is a crucial year for international cooperation. It is time to deliver on the Charter’s vision of global peace and security, development, and rights. As the Secretary General recently said, “A sustainable world of freedom and dignity for all is entirely within our power to build.” But we can only build it together. As we finalize the SDGs, and as we work on climate change talks, the financing for development process and the follow-up for Beijing + 20, we have a chance to re-emphasize and galvanize national and international efforts to protect human rights, and to bring the people of the world the dignity and equality that they deserve.

Thank you.