First Intersessional Seminar pursuant to Human Rights Council Resolution 38/18, "the contribution of the Human Rights Council to the prevention of human rights violations"

Video Statement by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet

9 April 2019

Greetings.

I regret that I cannot be with you today. Prevention is a priority at the heart of my work as High Commissioner, as it is at the heart of the Council’s mandate.

Twenty-five years ago, almost to the day, the terrible genocide broke out in Rwanda. Warning bells had been ringing. Several months before the mass killings began, Bacre Ndiaye, Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, summary, or arbitrary executions for the Council’s predecessor, the Commission on Human Rights, warned of "attempted genocide". The slaughter of so many men, women and children was preventable, but too few actions.

As in Rwanda, virtually all of today’s massive conflicts and humanitarian crises began with incremental violations -- not only of civil and political rights, but also of economic, social and cultural rights. From Syria to Myanmar, none of these crises broke out suddenly, or without any warning whatsoever. They were the culmination of processes, unfolded over time and visible – processes which could, and should have been halted and reversed.

We need much stronger strategies and tools to do this essential job of prevention.

The role of the Human Rights Council in this regard is crucial. It has been acknowledged since the adoption of the General Assembly resolution 60/251.  The resolution provides that the Council, on one hand, "contributes, through dialogue and cooperation, towards the prevention of human rights violations" and, on the other hand, "responds promptly to human rights emergencies".

The Council’s independent experts and investigative bodies perform essential preventive functions. The UPR, too, makes it harder for perpetrators to conceal their violations and sweep aside demands for accountability. This work, like the work of the Treaty Bodies, and my Office, provides openings and tools, which can address grievances and prevent abuses and violations from intensifying and multiplying.  I am convinced that without the Council’s spotlight on a wide range of situations, many crises and injustices would have been much worse.

Resolution 38/18, which has tasked Ambassador Stevens, Mr. de Greiff and Mr. Muiznieks to present "proposals on how the Council could effectively contribute in the future to the prevention of human rights violations", is an great opportunity to take stock of the Council’s prevention work to date and reflect on new approaches, which could heighten that effectiveness.

We need to combine the Council’s early warning efforts with longer-term prevention work addressing the root causes of crises, unlocking systemic violations and reducing the likelihood of their recurrence

Yes, every situation has its own specific challenges. But measures such as support for reforms of the justice system and the security sector; efforts to broaden the civic space and strengthen civil society actors; and work to reduce inequalities, create more opportunities and uphold economic, social and cultural rights have lasting impact, in every situation.

In many cases, these measures and activities cannot be achieved without financial assistance and technical cooperation. The Council constitutes a unique forum for States to share their needs and discuss modalities of cooperation, be it under item 10 of the Council’s agenda, during UPR reviews or in interactive dialogue with Special Procedures mandate holders.

The Council can also work with other UN partners, bridging the gap between New York and Geneva and strengthening the coherence of our action. The 2030 Agenda constitutes a potential locomotive for the realization of vital human rights objectives -- tackling the root causes of insecurity, narrowing inequalities, ending pervasive discrimination, and building sound and inclusive institutions. We need to streamline our action, amplify our guidance and coordinate our work with that of other, powerful actors, for maximum preventive impact.

I very much look forward to the outcome of this seminar, and wish you productive discussions.