Human Rights Council hears from 17 dignitaries as it continues its high-level segment

Human Rights Council
HRC/20/4/Rev 1

24 February 2020

The Human Rights Council continued its high-level segment in a midday meeting, hearing addresses by 17 dignitaries, who outlined how their countries’ policies were aligned to human rights standards and discussed the pertinent challenges to global peace and security, including country specific situations that manifested gross human rights violations.

Speaking were Vadym Prystaiko, Minister of Foreign Affairs for Ukraine; Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister of Foreign Affairs of France; Faisal Bin Farhan Alsaud, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia; Augusto Santos Silva, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Portugal; Evarist Bartolo, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion of Malta; Arancha González Laya, Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of Spain; Linas Antanas Linkevičius, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Lithuania; Philippe Goffin, Minister of Foreign Affairs and of Defense of Belgium; Maria Ubach Font, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Andorra; Kyung-wha Kang, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea; Ali Bagheri Kani, Deputy of International Affairs of the Judiciary of Iran and Secretary of the High Council for Human Rights; Peter Maurer, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross; Pekka Haavisto, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland; Ahmed Ihab Gamaleldin, Deputy Minister for Human Rights of Egypt; Lolwah Rashid Al-Khater, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs of Qatar; Omer Gamar Eldin Ismail, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sudan; and Tete Antonio, Secretary of State for External Affairs of Angola.

In its afternoon meeting, the Human Rights Council will hold its annual high-level panel discussion on human rights mainstreaming. The high-level segment will continue on Tuesday, 25 February at 9 a.m.

High-Level Segment

VADYM PRYSTAIKO, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, said that the trends of today’s conflicts gave ground for concern. The role of the United Nations should become indispensable as a standard setter and watchdog in the field of human rights. Without making human rights a vital component of its work, the international community could not fulfil its goals. The Minister said he had recently attended the General Assembly in New York, and remarked that Geneva and New York continued to be divided in their approach, both ideologically and administratively. A clear political will was still in short supply when tackling crisis prevention and conflict settlement. Therefore, reform was needed. The Human Rights Council should demonstrate its contribution to conflict settlement. Six years ago, Ukraine had invited a UN Monitoring Mission to Crimea and the occupied parts of Donbass, raising the profile of violations there, and the detention of specific prisoners. Despite their presence, there remained a total obstruction of human rights, and a refusal of access to detainees, healthcare, and other fundamental rights. In occupied Ukraine today, civil space had ceased to exist and the rule of law continued to be ignored. However, he noted that truth was impossible to ignore forever, and thanked Members of the Council for raising the profile of two Ukrainians who had been detained by Russian forces, and had recently been released as part of a prisoner swap.

JEAN-YVES LE DRIAN, Minister of Foreign Affairs of France, reminded that 75 years ago, the international community had started building a new system of inter-State cooperation. The aim of that endeavor had not only been to prevent war but to place at the heart of States’ relations the idea of human dignity and human rights. Together, States had been successful in building a human rights architecture applicable to all. In all regions of the world those achievements were under threat with an unprecedented price paid by civilians, such as for example in Syria, where strikes were deliberating targeting civilian structures in clear violation of international law. The Minister also drew attention to the arrest and killing of many journalists, adding that the principles of multilateralism were being trampled upon. France would not resign itself to observe that situation and it would present its candidacy for membership in the Human Rights Council in 2021-2023. Twenty-five years after the adoption of the Beijing Declaration, women’s rights were far from being achieved, the Minister emphasized, adding that France would be side by side of those who defended human rights. France would continue to plead to end any undignified treatment and detention, as well as to safeguard freedom of expression and the press, and to combat impunity for grave human rights violations such as those committed in Syria.

FAISAL BIN FARHAM ALSAUD, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, stated that a number of policies enacted by Saudi Arabia as part of Vision 2030 had made them a model in the empowerment of women. This assertion was supported by the World Bank’s Index published in January 2020, which put the Kingdom at the top of the list of the countries assessed. Saudi Arabia had been reviewed by three cycles of the Universal Periodic Review, and looked forward to continuing this work. Saudi Arabia was keen to preserve the cultural diversity of all its people, whilst denouncing the violence and violations of human rights faced by Palestinians, as well as the Rohingya community. It had made great efforts in uprooting terrorist groups regionally, nationally and internationally. The Minister criticized media that supported such groups under the guise of freedom of expression. Saudi Arabia had always supported the Yemeni people in their fight against the Houthi groups that occupied parts of the country. A political solution was the only possible solution, but the Houthis had to accept the solution put forward as part of the Gulf Initiative as well as Security Council resolution 2216. The region was experiencing efforts to destabilize it, including from terrorism and illegal migration. Saudi Arabia would spare no efforts to protect human rights at all levels, and would cooperate with the Human Rights Council in its work in doing so.

AUGUSTO SANTOS SILVA, Minister of State and for Foreign Affairs of Portugal, said he hoped that Portuguese would soon become an official language of the United Nations, as it was so widely spoken. He highlighted the outcomes of Portugal’s third Universal Periodic Review. The Universal Periodic Review allowed States to improve their human rights protection and Portugal had supported 241 out of 245 recommendations received. This year was pivotal for gender equality as it marked twenty-five years since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Plan of Action as well as the twentieth anniversary of Security Council resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. Portugal was deeply committed to gender equality and within its Criminal Code it had made amendments to crimes of rape and sexual abuse. In 2019, it had introduced new measures for combatting domestic violence. In 2020, the seventy-fifth anniversary of the United Nations would serve as a reminder that it was only through collective actions that all the challenges could be combatted. Portugal was a forerunner when it came to the abolition of the death penalty and they would sponsor a resolution on a moratorium on the death penalty during this session. The right to health was of utmost importance, particularly mental health, and Portugal would table a resolution on a humanist approach to mental health. There were still many countries in the world where people were exposed to severe human rights violations.

EVARIST BARTOLO, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs of Malta, reiterated that the full enjoyment of human rights by women and girls remained a priority for the Government of Malta. As a testament to this, over the past five years the female employment rate had risen by 12 per cent due to specific initiatives targeting the inclusion of women. The Government was committed to freedom of opinion and expression, and as such he expressed his profound regret over the assassination of Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. Those responsible must be brought to justice. A public inquiry was underway. The Government had also embarked on several reforms related to good governance, including regulating the financing of political parties and decriminalizing libel laws. Malta was also committed to a strong social agenda, including the rights of people with disabilities, and as such had championed a number of policies to promote progress in this area. With respect to sexual and gender based violence, the Government of Malta was taking steps to ensure the mainstreaming of equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer persons across various sectors. A new Equality Bill as well as the establishment of a new Commission for Human Rights and Equality would ensure this. The Minister reiterated the importance of the multilateral system - with the United Nations at its heart – in underpinning human rights.

ARANCHA GONZÁLEZ LAYA, Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of Spain, said that in 2020 it had to be asserted that multilateralism was the only way to face common challenges. There was no need to create alternatives to structures which were designed 75 years ago. They might be imperfect, but the structures could be reinforced. How could multilateralism be strengthened to tackle climate change and new technologies? Climate change had an undeniable impact on the enjoyment of human rights. The Council was the appropriate framework for States to discuss such issues, but also to react to palpable human rights violations. For that reason, Spain supported country specific resolutions. Developing early warning tools and opening channels between Geneva and New York could enhance the prevention work on human rights. Civil society and human rights defenders had to have their voice heard in the Council. Human rights defenders should not be incriminated because of their cooperation with the United Nations system. Spain had underwent its third Universal Periodic Review and the recommendations would help Spain to better protect its human rights system. The commitment towards gender equality was epitomized in Spain’s foreign policy. The Council had to protect the rights of women and girls so they could unleash their full potential and contribute to the achievement of the goals of the 2030 Agenda. The twentieth anniversary of Security Council resolution 1325 marked some important improvements but nonetheless there was not a single country that had achieved full gender equality.

LINAS ANTANAS LINKEVICIUS, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, reiterated that peace, progress and human rights were three fundamentally linked goals, but that the international community kept losing focus of this. He recalled that the international community had marked the seventy-fifth anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz this year, and yet fundamental human rights continued to be under attack to this day. He expressed concern at the new challenges posed to humanity from climate change, and deplored that global freedom of expression had reached its lowest level in a decade. The Minister raised the issue of attacks on journalists, which were on the increase, and gave the specific example of the murder of a journalist and human rights campaigner who had exposed torture against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer persons in Russia’s Republic of Chechnya. In this regard, he stated that Lithuania had recently joined the Media Freedom Coalition and the International Partnership of Information and Democracy, which would strengthen the protection of journalists around the world. Lithuania would host the Sixth International Sakharov Hearings, an initiative of civil society organizations to address current human rights challenges. Lithuania was running for a seat on the Human Rights Council for the period 2022-24, and if elected it would give particular attention to the safety of journalists and the protection of the rights of the child, among other priorities.

PHILIPPE GOFFIN, Minister of Foreign Affairs and of Defense of Belgium, said that Belgium was committed to ensuring coherency among international obligations and human rights fulfilment within its borders. The Council served for dialogue and for finding joint solutions and sharing best practices. Last year, Belgium had carried out dialogues with two human rights Committees and this year it would carry out dialogues with five Committees. Special procedures were of key importance and they had to be independent. Belgium had extended a standing invitation to all special procedures and it urged all other countries to do the same. Today’s world was facing numerous challenges, from gender based violence, to racism, to injustices of all kind. The world could not be complacent when faced with such phenomena. Belgium had established an inter-ministerial conference on combatting racism and soon a national action plan would be developed. Human rights were not a favour that a country had to provide for someone, they were a responsibility. As a non-permanent member of the Security Council, Belgium had an ambition to build a consensus for peace. One major priority was to pursue a universal abolition of the death penalty, and it welcomed that many countries had made important strides in that direction. Belgium’s work in the Human Rights Council and the Security Council was interlinked and complementary and the gap between Geneva and New York had to be bridged. In closing, the Minister stressed that 2020 was a special year for children’s rights. In May 2020, two of the Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child would be 20 years old. Belgium had presented its candidacy to the Council for the period 2023-2025.

MARIA UBACH FONT, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Andorra, stressed that Andorra was attached to the principles of multilateralism, which played the role of a mediator and placed high importance on the values of cooperation and dialogue. Speaking of hate speech, the Minister stressed that Andorra was committed to promoting differences and diversity through education. Hate speech was taking worrying proportions day by day, which was why Andorra was working to ensure equal opportunities for all members of its society. The Minister welcomed the work of the United Nations agencies for children victims of war, noting that it was key that they had access to education so that they could take part in the rebuilding of their countries. The Minister stressed the symbolic importance of celebrating the thirtieth anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Andorra was fully implementing. Turning to the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Beijing Declaration, she stressed the importance of women’s access to education, high leadership roles and entrepreneurship. Only concerted action could allow the international community to end the scourge of the inequality of women. Finally, Ms. Ubach Font underlined the importance of peace and combatting impunity, which remained one of the greatest challenges for the international community. To that end, Andorra pledged its unwavering support for the International Criminal Court.

KYUNG-WHA KANG, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, noted that in this seventy-fifth anniversary year of the United Nations, the spirit of multilateralism and the universal values it generated seemed to be in retreat. She called on members to re-commit to the fundamental dignity of human beings. The spread of COVID19 had posed challenges for the Republic of Korea, but public health tools had been fully implemented. The approach had been people centred from the beginning, with every effort made to keep the public fully informed. The Minister was concerned about xenophobic policies and discriminatory immigration controls against people from affected countries, and called on the global campaign to remain rooted in scientific evidence. She recognized the urgency of climate action, and fully supported the High Commissioner’s prioritization of this issue. She also stated that Seoul would host the second summit meeting “Partnering for Green Growth and Global Goals 2030”, a public-private sector alliance to address climate change. The Minister noted that 25 years since the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action were adopted, much work still needed to be done to root out violence against women and the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war. She also reiterated the Government’s support for the surviving victims of “comfort women” as they tried to reclaim their dignity and honour. She concluded by reminding Member States that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea had undertaken its third Universal Periodic Review in 2019, and urged that country to respond to calls made during the review to alleviate the plight of separated families.

ALI BAGHERI KANI, Deputy for International Affairs of the Judiciary of Iran and Secretary of the High Council for Human Rights, said that in Islam human dignity was considered a paramount principle around which all public policies were developed. Guidelines protecting human rights in judicial proceeding promoted human rights. The prohibition of arbitrary detention, access to legal remedy and all elements of a fair trial were ensured in judicial proceedings in Iran. Human rights were the victim of international politics, undermining implementation of international human rights. Iran was the victim of such international and economic interests. In this long story, the United States had played a major role ever since the 1953 coup d’etat, to shooting down an Iranian civilian plane over the Persian Gulf and murdering 300 civilians, to imposing economic sanctions. Terrorism should be considered a human rights issue, with many examples, such as beheading civilians in Iraq and Syria by terrorist groups supported financially by some countries. The United States President himself had admitted they had a role in creating ISIS. The murder of Quassem Suleimani was another example. Iran was a victim of unilateral coercive measures, including sanctions. The United States had created a sanctions regime which prevented the progress of Iran, which meant it was hampering the right to development. Such acts constituted collective punishment and were a gross violation which should be high on the agenda of the Council. The occupation of Palestinian territory and other conflicts in the Middle East were major causes of instability. Iran was being punished for supporting Palestinians and Yemenis. Instead of imposing human sanctions, Iran should be praised for assisting those who needed it. The “deal of the century” could cause the Palestinian State to disappear.

PETER MAURER, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, recalled the enormous suffering of ordinary women, men and children during conflict and violence. The arms trade boomed with profit that was prioritized over human life, Mr. Maurer emphasized. Powerful explosive weapons were deployed in urban areas with little regard for humanitarian impact. Humanitarian aid was targeted and politicized. Military objectives and the politics of revenge were winning at the expense of human life and dignity. Both those living in countries at war and at peace were afraid. A majority of millennials around the globe surveyed by the International Committee of the Red Cross predicted there would be a catastrophic third world war or a nuclear attack in their lifetimes. However, most of them still believed that wars were avoidable and that limits on warfare must be implemented and defended. People were asking for leadership to find solutions to difficult issues: for warring parties to cease violence, for partners and allies to exert their influence to ensure respect for the law, and for States through dialogue and action to champion rather than sacrifice humanitarian norms and principles. Mr. Maurer stressed that it was a critical moment for States, individually and collectively, to reinforce people’s faith in the norms of humanity and to restore trust that their needs would be at the heart of decision-making. States must live up to their responsibilities: no one was exempt from humanity nor beyond the law. Accountability was for violators, not for enemies. If the law continued to be disregarded, the consequences would be devastating for the stability of entire regions and generations.

PEKKA HAAVISTO, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland, said that Finland’s foreign and security policy was human rights based, and that was why the country was seeking a seat at the Human Rights Council from 2022 to 2024. Digitalization brought both opportunities and challenges that undermined democracy and freedom of expression, for example via online hate speech. In order to secure positive outcomes, the voices of all persons and groups needed to be heard. The Minister urged the international community to use every tool at its disposal to prevent further spiraling of the conflict in Syria. Finland was also concerned about the situation in the illegally annexed Crimean peninsula by the Russian Federation, as well as the escalating conflict in Libya, noting Finland’s full support to the Berlin process. The Minister acknowledged a number of positive human rights stories, which showed that progress was possible. Important steps had been taken in Sudan to end the country’s protracted conflicts, in Ethiopia the Government had invited the opposition to take part in democracy building, and greater freedoms had been granted in Uzbekistan. However, despite these achievements, in many areas of the world freedom of expression was under threat. The Minister raised particular concern at the fate of vulnerable groups like the community of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons, as well as human rights defenders, especially women human rights defenders. Environmental human rights defenders increasingly faced attacks, whilst for example defending rain forests, especially in Latin America. In this jubilee year for gender equality, the Minister expressed alarm at the pushback on gender equality and women and girls rights.

AHMED IHAB GAMALELDIN, Deputy Minister for Human Rights of Egypt, said that Egypt believed that human rights were the common heritage of humanity and that human rights were the basis of development in Egypt. Egypt was seeking to guarantee the rights of all of its citizens, guaranteed under the Constitution, and this was an ongoing process. Last November, Egypt underwent its third Universal Periodic Review cycle. Egypt was working with civil society and the Council in developing its human rights vision. Egypt had recently presented reports to five human rights Committees. A new law on civil society had been adopted. Much progress had been achieved in the area of combatting extremism. The High Council of Human Rights, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was considering issues which were hindering the full enjoyment of human rights in order to develop a human rights strategy. Within the Council, cooperation with other countries was important for this session for the draft resolution on the right to work. Member States were called upon to step up their responsibilities when it came to resolving the plight of Palestinian people. The Council had to stop the conflict in Syria and Yemen, combat Islamophobia in Western societies, and address the situation of Rohingya refugees. The Council should not become a forum where a narrow political agenda was adopted. Egypt hoped that by joining forces, they could all move away from selectivity.

LOLWAH RASHID AL-KHATER, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, noted that Qatar was honoured to be a member of the Human Rights Council, the body which endeavoured to promote human rights and uphold the dignity of all human beings. Qatar had harmonized its national legislation with international human rights treaties, and it had had constructive cooperation with international organizations and the international community. In the past five years, Qatar had spent some $ 2.5 billion on the promotion of health, education and development internationally. The latest example included Qatar’s mediation efforts between the United States and the Taliban movement in order to bring sustainable peace to Afghanistan. The coercive measures imposed by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, amongst others, against Qatar had led to violations of fundamental human rights. Those violations had targeted Qatari nationals and this was indeed a direct violation of all human rights. The Minister reminded of the judgments of the International Court of Justice regarding this discrimination against Qatari nationals. Turning to the Palestinian question, the Minister noted that it faced many risks, most notably decisions that were unilateral, such as the so-called “Deal of the Century.” The most optimal manner to achieve a sustainable solution should be based on international law and the United Nations Charter. When it came to the conflict in Syria, the Minister called for a political solution, whereas in Libya she pointed out double standards exercised by certain countries that supported the forces of General Khalifa Haftar. In conclusion, the Minister noted that the constructive criticism that Qatar had received from international partners in the past years had helped it improve its laws.

OMAR GAMMAR ELDIN ISMAIL, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sudan, expressed satisfaction at Sudan’s return to the Council following the recent revolution. Sudan believed human rights were universal and indivisible. As such, the new constitution had a chapter dedicated to preserving freedom, in all its definitions. Sudan had suffered from terrorism, a plight which deprived citizens of their rights secured via international treaties. He called on countries to help Sudan free itself from terrorism as well as external debt. The Government hoped to conclude a peace agreement in the near future, and he wished to congratulate South Sudan on the progress made so far. Last year a United Nations Human Rights Office had opened in Sudan. The Minister noted the improvement of freedom of religion in the country, and pointed to the fact that the United States had as of December removed Sudan from the list of countries with poor freedom of religion. The plight of women in the country had been addressed, with the country’s first female minister appointed in the current government. The Minister reiterated Sudan’s aim to uphold the noble cause of human rights, for which the Human Rights Council was created.

TETE ANTONIO, Secretary of State for External Affairs of Angola, expressed deep appreciation for the analyses contained in the opening speech of the Secretary-General and thanked the High Commissioner for Human Rights. As reiterated by many speakers before, women were at the heart of every society, whereas children were the future. Angola believed that constructive dialogue at all levels was fundamental in achieving human rights. Angola had ratified a number of regional and international instruments concerning human rights, and human rights were an integral part of Angola’s development and foreign policy, enshrined in the Constitution as well. Angola was convinced that challenges faced by children in accessing their rights, including the right to survival, could only be overcome through national commitment. Angola’s National Development Plan was aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals. The Secretariat of the United Nations and the United Nations agencies, particularly the United Nations Children’s Fund, as well as other stakeholders were all thanked for their cooperation and support in improving children’s rights. Angola today was a different country and much had improved. Impunity and corruption always hampered the enjoyment of human rights. Angola would pay full attention to the implementation of the convention against corruption, fully taking account of all the responsibilities that had to be implemented.

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