Guterres hails the pivotal role of the Human Rights Council in the fight to promote human rights

At a time when the planet is in peril, the world needs today more than ever “a stronger multilateral system, anchored in human rights in all their diversity and universality”. “The Council remains one of the driving forces of the joint agenda,” and will naturally play a vital role in making it a reality, the UN Secretary-General said in a video statement. Antonio Guterres.

The UN chief is counting on member states to “act with ambition”. Especially since “our world is in peril, whether it is generalized conflicts – in particular the war in Ukraine in all its dimensions -, the aggravation of divisions, the erosion of confidence, the escalating inequalities, increasing humanitarian needs or ever-worsening climate crisis”.

The Council is the universal periodic review, the special procedures or the special sessions

According to the Secretary General, Geneva thus has a role to play in “protecting civic space and promoting good governance, promoting gender equality, combating racial and other forms of discrimination”. The Human Rights Council is also at the forefront of the fight against climate change, the Sustainable Development Goals, early warning and conflict prevention.

Among the achievements, the Council distinguished itself by its universality with the Universal Periodic Review, which presented, for the first time, an image of the state of human rights in the world. The special procedures have considerably deepened the understanding of all human rights concerns, be they civil, cultural, economic, political or social rights.

But it was above all the special sessions that made it possible to sound “the alarm bell to draw the attention of the whole world to situations which are deteriorating and require urgent responses”. This is also the case of the commissions of inquiry which have contributed to “maintaining the imperative of accountability and ensuring that even the longest crises remain in the line of fire”.

UN Photo/Jean Marc Ferré

Michelle Bachelet (left), the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, with Katharina Stasch, Vice-President of the Human Rights Council, during the 50th session of the Human Rights Council .

Guterres salutes the “dedication and determination” of Michelle Bachelet

More broadly, the Human Rights Council has amplified the voices of civil society – the backbone of human rights action. “Your resolutions in Geneva have often catalyzed the debates in the Security Council and the General Assembly in New York, thus strengthening the links between peace and security, development and human rights,” Mr. Guterres.

A way for the head of the UN to call for the strengthening of links and synergies between Geneva and New York. This will “ensure that human rights are recognized as essential to solving our most pressing problems, as set out in the Call to Action for Human Rights”.

Mr. Guterres took the opportunity to “express his deep gratitude to Michelle Bachelet for her life of selfless service in the defense of human rights for everyone everywhere”. “In an extremely difficult political context, she (Ms. Bachelet) stood up and spoke to give a voice to the voiceless”, concluded Mr. Guterres, thanking her for her “dedication and determination”, and for having always ensured that “human rights remain in their place: at the very center of the work” of the UN.

50 ordinary sessions, 34 extra sessions, 6 urgent debates and the adoption of more than 1,300 resolutions

The Council was established by the United Nations General Assembly on March 15, 2006 through resolution 60/251. Its first session took place from June 19 to 30, 2006 in Geneva. In just sixteen years, the Council has become a forum that addresses virtually all human rights issues through open, honest and transparent dialogue.

The activities of the Geneva-based body have increased exponentially. The Council is in its 50th ordinary session, but has also held 34 extraordinary sessions and seven emergency debates. It adopted 1,372 resolutions.

At the same time, all 193 Member States have voluntarily participated in three cycles of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). This makes it the best possible entry point for examining human rights around the world.

“All countries – whether small or large, or economically strong or weak – receive the same level of attention and scrutiny,” admitted the UN human rights chief, noting that the UPR remains “a powerful and irreplaceable mechanism”. “More than ever, the work of this Council is essential. And it is urgent. It is a privilege to support it and to be part of it. The importance of the Council in the architecture of the United Nations is obvious,” insisted High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet.

Continuing the work of this strong legacy of the Council

Detailing the contours of the work of the Geneva body, the former Chilean President tried to show its universality, especially in the face of criticism “from a growing number of people who believe that these discussions are sterile”. “All too often, commentators wonder whether the Council should focus its attention on specific regions of the world, or on civil and political rights rather than economic, social and cultural rights, or vice versa,” Ms. Bachelet continued. .

Yet by their very nature, human rights are universal. For the UN human rights chief, no violation of human rights should be left aside. And all the situations examined by the human rights mechanisms or the Council must deserve the attention of the international community.

It’s about “staying relevant in an ever-changing world”. This relevance goes beyond the equal treatment of all issues, be it gender equality, the impact of new technologies on human rights, the fight against corruption, the right to food or health care, or the problems faced by unaccompanied migrant children. For the United Nations, the responsibility of the international community is to take the time to address these issues urgently and effectively.

More broadly, it is about continuing the “powerful legacy” of a body that has played “an essential role in responding to and preventing further human rights violations around the world”.