MORNING - Human Rights Council Hears Presentation of the Report of the Open-Ended Intergovernmental Working Group on Transnational Corporations, the Report of the Fifth Intersessional Meeting for Dialogue and Cooperation on Human Rights and the 2030 Agenda, and Eight Thematic Reports, and Starts General Debate on the Promotion and Protection of All Human Rights
Council Concludes Interactive Dialogue on Report on Equitable and Universal Access to COVID-19 Vaccines
The Human Rights Council this morning heard the presentation of the report of the Open-ended Intergovernmental Working Group on Transnational Corporations and Other Business Enterprises with Respect to human Rights, and the presentation of the report of the Fifth Intersessional Meeting for Dialogue and Cooperation on Human Rights and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It also heard the presentation of eight thematic reports submitted by the Secretary-General and the High Commissioner for Human Rights and his Office. The Council then began the general debate on agenda item three on the promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development. At the beginning of the meeting, the Council concluded the interactive dialogue on the report on ensuring equitable, affordable, timely and universal access for all countries to COVID-19 vaccines.
Emilio Rafael Izquierdo Miño, Chair-Rapporteur of the Open-ended Intergovernmental Working Group on Transnational Corporations and Other Business Enterprises with Respect to Human Rights, said he was pleased to present the report on the Working Group’s eighth session held in October 2022. The Working Group was established in 2014 and had a mandate to develop a legally binding instrument to regulate in international human rights law the activities of transnational corporations and other businesses with respect to human rights. Since then, the Group had held eight annual sessions which had seen a growing interest from States and stakeholders. During the session in 2021, the Working Group had developed its negotiations on an instrument drawn up with States and other stakeholders, taking into account the opinions of an independent group of experts. During the eighth session of the Working Group, the Chair provided comments and explanations regarding each article proposed, which could be found on the Working Group’s webpage.
Galib Israfilov, Chairperson of the Fifth Intersessional Meeting for Dialogue and Cooperation on Human Rights and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, presenting the report of the fifth intersessional meeting, said the theme of this year’s meeting was “Overcoming multiple crises: realising the Sustainable Development Goals through a human rights enhancing economy”, with a focus on Sustainable Development Goal 6 on clean water and sanitation, Sustainable Development Goal 11 on sustainable cities and communities, and Sustainable Development Goal 17 on strengthening the means of implementation and revitalising the global partnership for sustainable development, and the overarching promise of the 2030 Agenda to leave no one behind and to reach those furthest behind first. The meeting underlined that human rights, all human rights, were the lever to rescue the 2030 Agenda. Participants also noted that unless the world could reverse the current global trajectory of climate change, the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals would be compromised while disproportionately affecting the most marginalised and disadvantaged sections of populations.
Peggy Hicks, Director of the Thematic Engagement, Special Procedures and Right to Development Division, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, introduced eight reports of the Secretary-General and the High Commissioner for Human Rights and his Office on a range of thematic issues. The first report was the study on the situation of the violations and abuses of human rights rooted in harmful practices related to accusations of witchcraft and ritual attacks, as well as stigmatisation. There was also the annual report of the High Commissioner on the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities; the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture; the report of the Secretary-General on the Special Fund established by the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment; the report of the Secretary-General on missing persons; the report of the High Commissioner on combatting intolerance, negative stereotyping and stigmatisation of, and discrimination, incitement to violence and violence against, persons based on religion or belief; the report of the Secretary-General on measures taken to implement Human Rights Council resolution 9/8 and obstacles to its implementation, including recommendations for further improving the effectiveness, harmonisation and reform of the treaty body system; and the report of the Secretary-General containing conclusions and recommendations by Special Procedures.
The Council then began its general debate under agenda item on the promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development.
In the general debate, speakers reiterated their firm resolve to promote, respect, protect, and fulfil the human rights of all persons. The valuable contributions of the Human Rights Council in raising important issues under agenda item three, such as the effects of climate change, modern technologies, the right to development, and transnational corporations, were commended. Speakers affirmed their continued commitment to constructive engagement with all parties in the Council, based on their belief that dialogue and constructive cooperation were the main key to resolving all differences. Many speakers believed that the Human Council should devote equal attention to promoting all rights, including the right to development. States needed to intensify their efforts to address all forms of discrimination against minority groups, especially those facing intersectional forms of discrimination. Indigenous persons had an equal right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, including the right to access, without discrimination, to all social and health services.
Some speakers considered the promotion of tolerance and respect to be key to combatting the rising scourge of racism, intolerance, hate speech and xenophobia. Deep concern was expressed at the acts of intolerance and violence towards religious individuals, and groups, while there was a lack of political will to address these violations. The Council should take concrete measures to prevent negative stereotyping of religion and religious figures.
A number of speakers said that every individual deserved to live in a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. Developed countries must boost up efforts to fulfil their obligations and international commitments, and provide support for climate actions in developing countries. Climate pledges made must all be honoured and the Paris Agreement must be implemented. Some speakers said new and emerging digital technologies had unlocked new opportunities for advancing human rights, but it was crucial that the international community stayed aligned in addressing their human rights risks. Some speakers paid tribute to the success of human rights defenders working all over the world and remained steadfast in their commitment to support these people. There needed to be more women and girls in all their diversity at the table, including women and girls in vulnerable situations or belonging to marginalised communities. Adopting a gender-transformative approach and addressing multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination was crucial.
Speaking in the general debate were Qatar on behalf of the Arab Group, Argentina on behalf of a group of countries, Oman on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Sweden on behalf of the European Union, Azerbaijan on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, Pakistan on behalf of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation, Iran on behalf of a group of countries, Morocco on behalf of a group of countries, Costa Rica on behalf of a group of countries, Syria on behalf of a group of countries, Republic of Korea on behalf of a group of countries, China on behalf of a group of countries, Samoa on behalf of a group of countries, Sudan on behalf of a group of countries, Peru on behalf of a group of countries, Bolivia on behalf of a group of countries, Ukraine on behalf of a group of countries, Bangladesh on behalf of a group of countries, India on behalf of a group of countries, Bangladesh on behalf of another group of countries, Côte d’Ivoire on behalf of the group of African States, United States on behalf of a group of countries, Russian Federation on behalf of a group of countries, Saudi Arabia on behalf of a group of countries, Peru on behalf of a group of countries, Finland, United States, Luxembourg, France, Nepal, Malaysia, South Africa, Maldives, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Gambia, Algeria, Chile, Malawi, Romania, Bolivia, Pakistan, Cuba, Ukraine, India, Tunisia, Russian Federation, Ecuador, United Nations Women, Burkina Faso, Colombia, Venezuela, Tanzania, Iraq, and Armenia.
At the beginning of the meeting, the Council concluded its interactive dialogue on the report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on ensuring equitable, affordable, timely and universal access for all countries to vaccines in response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The discussion started in the previous meeting and a summary can be found here.
In concluding remarks, Ms. Hicks said national vaccination strategies should assess needs and risks and identify vulnerable groups in the population: continuing assessment allowed for the continuing adaptation to needs. No one should be excluded from receiving vaccines on a discriminatory basis. The engagement of communities in the delivering of vaccine strategies was essential. Partnerships could share the cost and improve access to healthcare, mobilising resources, fostering innovation, and ensuring sustainability. All companies, including pharmaceutical companies, had to respect human rights, and should take action to advert, mitigate and address any human rights violations for which they may be responsible, undertaking human rights assessments across all steps of production, marketing, and distribution, among other steps.
In the discussion, speakers thanked the High Commissioner for his comprehensive report, which outlined the importance of international cooperation and partnership in ensuring effective global pandemic response in the future. Many speakers recognised the close relationship between affordable and timely access to vaccines and the right of persons to the enjoyment of the highest standard of physical and mental health. There needed to be full commitment and collaboration of public and private sector entities and actors at all levels, from the local to the international levels, to ensure universal and equitable access to vaccines for all countries. It was important to come together in the spirit of international cooperation, as no one was safe until everyone was safe.
Some speakers believed that the global allocation of vaccines was one of the pandemic’s worst examples of inequality. Low-income countries received less than three per cent of the global stock of vaccine. The lack of timely access to vaccines coupled with weakened health systems saw higher-income countries emerge from the pandemic while lower-income countries plunged into multiple crises. Accessibility, availability and universality, as well as non-discrimination and equality, needed to be key features of the vaccination process. States needed to urgently act to scale up investment in public health and social protection systems that would improve the lives of all peoples.
Speaking in the discussion were Benin, Trinidad and Tobago, Serbia, Pakistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Cambodia, and Algeria.
Also speaking was the National Human Rights Commission of India, as well as Action Canada for Population and Development, Medical Support Association for Underprivileged Iranian Patients, International Catholic Child Bureau, Associazione Comunita Papa Giovanni XXIII, iuventum e.V., Minority Rights Group, Amnesty International, Tourner La Page, Rahbord Peimayesh Research and Educational Services Cooperative, and China Society for Human Rights Studies.
The webcast of the Human Rights Council meetings can be found here. All meeting summaries can be found here. Documents and reports related to the Human Rights Council’s fifty-second regular session can be found here.
The Council will reconvene this afternoon at 3 p.m. to continue the general debate on the promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development.
Interactive Dialogue on the High Commissioner’s Report on Ensuring Universal Access for All Countries to Vaccines in Response to the Coronavirus Disease Pandemic
The Council started the interactive dialogue on the report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on ensuring equitable, affordable, timely and universal access for all countries to vaccines in response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in the previous meeting and a summary can be found here.
Discussion
In the discussion, speakers, among other things, thanked the High Commissioner for his comprehensive report, which outlined the importance of international cooperation and partnership in ensuring an effective global pandemic response in the future. Many speakers believed that the report would provide good direction to the policymakers who needed to prepare against future pandemics. Speakers supported all the recommendations, and called for their sound implementation worldwide. Many speakers recognised the close relationship between affordable and timely access to vaccines and the right of persons to the enjoyment of the highest standard of physical and mental health.
Many speakers welcomed the recommendations contained in the report, particularly the need to deepen international cooperation on the technical and financial fronts, and the need for a more coordinated and resilient global health system that prioritised equitable access to vaccines. There needed to be full commitment and collaboration of public and private sector entities and actors at all levels, from the local to the international levels, to ensure universal and equitable access to vaccines for all countries. It was important to come together in the spirit of international cooperation, as no one was safe until everyone was safe. It was critical that heightened regional and international cooperation reflected a human rights-based approach.
Some speakers said the world had paid a high price for the inequitable distribution of vaccines. The pandemic had exposed global inequalities, and the gaps between developed and developing countries continued to widen. Some speakers believed that the global allocation of vaccines was one of the pandemic’s worst examples of inequality. Low-income countries had received less than three per cent of the global stock of vaccine. The lack of timely access to vaccines coupled with weakened health systems had seen higher-income countries emerge from the pandemic while lower-income countries plunged into multiple crises.
Some speakers believed that big pharmaceutical companies and vaccine-hoarding governments were responsible for 1.3 million avoidable deaths in the first year of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, which was one death every 24 seconds. Vaccine inequity fuelled by greed had taken the world backwards and exacerbated existing economic and social inequalities within and among countries. Some speakers demanded accountability for the preventable deaths resulting from vaccine inequity.
Some speakers said the significant, lingering socio-economic impacts of the pandemic on small islands and their difficulties in accessing vaccines during the early stages of the pandemic could not be overlooked. Speakers supported the conclusions made in the report which urged governments to establish vaccination centres in remote and rural villages. Some speakers noted that unilateral coercive measures and unilateral sanctions had taken many lives during the outbreak of the pandemic, and called for the elimination of these measures, which significantly added to the sufferings and disease in the target populations.
Accessibility, availability and universality, as well as non-discrimination and equality, needed to be key features of the vaccination process. These principles should guide the national and global responses to any pandemics now and in the future. The recovery process was resource-intensive and called for the use of robust, wide-ranging recovery measures that built capacity, increased resilience, and enabled a more effective response to future pandemics. There needed to be a rights-based, public health approach to vaccines, therapeutics, and technological transfer as part of a larger overhaul of the global health systems, which prioritised people over profit. States needed to urgently act to scale up investment in public health and social protection systems that would improve the lives of all peoples.
Concluding Remarks
PEGGY HICKS, Director of the Thematic Engagement, Special Procedures and Right to Development Division, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, in concluding remarks, said on national vaccination strategies, these should assess needs and risks and identify vulnerable groups in the population: continuing assessment allowed for the continuing adaptation to needs. No one should be excluded from receiving vaccines on a discriminatory basis. The engagement of communities in the delivering of vaccine strategies was essential. Partnerships could share the cost and improve access to healthcare, mobilising resources, fostering innovation, and ensuring sustainability. All companies, including pharmaceutical companies, had to respect human rights, and should take action to advert, mitigate and address any human rights violations for which they may be responsible, undertaking human rights assessments across all steps of production, marketing, and distribution, among other steps.
Ms. Hicks said the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights could help to integrate human rights in public health responses, by, among others, sharing guidance, engaging in human rights work that allowed to monitor and warn whilst tracking human rights concerns, and providing technical support in developing review policies. Regarding ongoing work relating to a pandemic treaty, the Office was following closely the negotiations and had prepared a set of key messages on areas which required re-assessing from a human rights perspective. Human rights should be core to any future accord, which should ensure that vaccines were affordable and accessible to all, and that vaccine distribution was non-discriminatory. There was a need to deepen international cooperation, which was crucial for all people to access scientific developments, including vaccines as a global public good. The pandemic had underscored that global vaccine accessibility was a human rights issue, and not just a moral imperative. Preparedness for a future pandemic should include these elements, as well as include stronger regulatory capacity. Human rights norms and principles offered guidance to States in creating emergency response systems and ensuring delivery systems that respected civil and political rights.
Presentation of Reports
Report
The Council has before it the report of the Open-ended Intergovernmental Working Group on Transnational Corporations and Other Business Enterprises with Respect to Human Rights (A/HRC/52/41) on its eighth session.
Presentation of Report
EMILIO RAFAEL IZQUIERDO MIÑO, Chair-Rapporteur of the Open-ended Intergovernmental Working Group on Transnational Corporations and Other Business Enterprises with Respect to Human Rights, said he was pleased to present the report on the Working Group’s eighth session held in October 2022. The Working Group was established in 2014 and had a mandate to develop a legally binding instrument to regulate in international human rights law the activities of transnational corporations and other businesses with respect to human rights.
Since then, the Group had held eight annual sessions which had seen a growing interest from States and stakeholders. The High Commissioner had urged all States to participate in the Working Group which was appreciated.
After 2018, the process had made significant headway at a technical level, which showed it was possible to generate legal solutions of a binding nature to guarantee human rights and justice to victims. During the session in 2021, the Working Group had developed its negotiations on an instrument drawn up with States and other stakeholders, taking into account the opinions of an independent group of experts. The approach adopted to present the proposal was based on several considerations, including the streamlining of the text; to clarify linkages between different articles; to use language from other human rights treaties; to take account of the views expressed by States; to ensure an appropriate level of flexibility; and to provoke new thinking and discussion around the instrument.
During the eighth session of the Working Group, the Chair provided comments and explanations regarding each article proposed, which could be found on the Working Group’s webpage. The active participation of civil society continued throughout this session. Mr. Izquierdo Miño was grateful to Cameroon, France, Indonesia, Portugal and Uruguay for their willingness to move the process forward and for steering intersessional consultations which would take work forward during the year. The constructive dialogue between the Working Group and the Working Group on Business and Human Rights was important. It was possible to ensure reparation to victims through guiding standards, which reflected the importance of States considering an important combination of measures. To fully deliver on the mandate of the Human Rights Council, it was important to ensure participation from all actors. Active participation of States in the work of the Working Group was the only way for them to show their opinions. Mr. Izquierdo Miño reiterated his invitation for all members to follow through with this. The goal was for the instrument to contribute to the normative development of human rights law.
Report
The Council has before it the report of the Fifth Intersessional Meeting for Dialogue and Cooperation on Human Rights and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development , held on 19 January 2023 (A/HRC/52/54)
Presentation of Report
GALIB ISRAFILOV, Chairperson of the Fifth Intersessional Meeting for Dialogue and Cooperation on Human Rights and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, presenting the report of the fifth intersessional meeting, said the theme of this year’s meeting was “Overcoming multiple crises: realising the Sustainable Development Goals through a human rights enhancing economy”, with a focus on Sustainable Development Goal 6 on clean water and sanitation, Sustainable Development Goal 11 on sustainable cities and communities, and Sustainable Development Goal 17 on strengthening the means of implementation and revitalising the global partnership for sustainable development, and the overarching promise of the 2030 Agenda to leave no one behind and to reach those furthest behind first. Participants included representatives from Member States, United Nations agencies and organizations, national human rights institutions, academia and non-governmental organizations.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr. Volker Türk, presented opening remarks, highlighting the value of putting pre-existing human rights obligations back into economic policy discussions to build a human rights’ enhancing economy that benefitted everyone, invested in the Sustainable Development Goals, and underpinned inclusive and sustainable development leading to the transformative change envisaged in the 2030 Agenda. The thematic session focused on the added value of human rights in economic policy planning, particularly relating to the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals 6, 11, and 17. The meeting looked into how multiple and interlinked crises were putting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in grave danger. The world was facing the reversal of years of progress in eradicating poverty and hunger, improving health and education, and in providing basic services.
The meeting underlined that human rights, all human rights, were the lever to rescue the 2030 Agenda. Participants reiterated that the promotion and protection of all human rights and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda were interrelated and mutually reinforcing and more needed to be done to implement integrated approaches at the country level. Participants also noted that unless the world could reverse the current global trajectory of climate change, the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals would be compromised while disproportionately affecting the most marginalised and disadvantaged sections of populations. Tackling the climate crisis and fulfilling the right to a healthy, clean and sustainable environment should be a top priority.
Reports
The Council has before it the Secretary-General's and the High Commissioner's thematic reports.
Presentation of Reports
PEGGY HICKS, Director of the Thematic Engagement, Special Procedures and Right to Development Division, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, introducing the reports of the Secretary-General and the High Commissioner for Human Rights on a range of thematic issues, said six of these were to be considered under agenda item three on the promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development. She also took the opportunity to present two further reports to be considered under agenda item two on the annual report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and reports of the Office of the High Commissioner and the Secretary-General.
The first report was the s tudy on the situation of the violations and abuses of human rights rooted in harmful practices related to accusations of witchcraft and ritual attacks, as well as stigmatisation (A/HRC/52/47). The report pointed out that these violations were predominantly committed against persons in vulnerable situations, and recommended a number of actions, including developing and implementing comprehensive frameworks for prevention, promptly investigating human rights violations and abuses and prosecuting the perpetrators of such acts, and conducting further research on prevention and responses.
The annual report of the High Commissioner on the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities (HRC res. 52/53) covered action undertaken to strengthen the protection of the rights of minorities and to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious, and Linguistic Minorities. Minorities continued to suffer from violence, from discrimination and from exclusion from decision-making processes, all of which reinforced grievances and could establish fertile ground for violence and conflict. The anniversary also provided an opportunity to look forward and at future priorities.
The report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture (HRC res. 52/57) described the activities of the Fund in 2022. Torture continued to shatter the lives of people across the globe. Critical aid nevertheless reached victims, thanks to contributions of over 9.5 million USD from 20 Member States. Despite support, the funding gap was growing.
The report of the Secretary-General on the Special Fund established by the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (HRC res. 52/58) noted the widening gap between contributions received and the needs and demands for torture prevention support. The contributions should be commensurate with the growing number of States parties to the Optional Protocol and the potential for supporting the establishment or effective functioning of national preventive mechanisms on the ground.
The report of the Secretary-General on missing persons was submitted to the General Assembly (A/77/245) pursuant to its resolution 75/184 and was then referred to the Human Rights Council (A/HRC/52/59), and contained details on, among others, the applicable international legal and institutional framework; the legislative and preventive measures adopted to prevent individuals from going missing; and the measures taken to clarify the fate and whereabouts of missing persons. The report concluded that States and other relevant stakeholders had continued to take action regarding missing persons, and recommended a series of practical legislative and other measures that would prevent persons from going missing, clarify the fate and whereabouts of the missing, address the needs of families of the missing, and ensure accountability.
The report of the High Commissioner on combatting intolerance, negative stereotyping and stigmatisation of, and discrimination, incitement to violence and violence against, persons based on religion or belief (A/HRC/52/79) stressed that States must promote freedom of religion or belief, act expeditiously on hate crimes, and protect religious or belief minorities, including their places of worship, and that political and religious leaders should speak out firmly and promptly against intolerance, discriminatory stereotyping, and instances of hate speech.
Turning to the two reports under agenda item 2, the first was the report of the Secretary-General on measures taken to implement Human Rights Council resolution 9/8 and obstacles to its implementation, including recommendations for further improving the effectiveness, harmonisation and reform of the treaty body system (HRC res. 52/20), which covered, among others, the impact of COVID-19 on the work of the treaty bodies and identified remaining challenges and emerging ideas and proposals, including from the Chairs. The report concluded that the preventive and early warning mandate of treaty bodies was a valuable tool for identifying signs of a worsening human rights situation with a view to addressing it in its early stages, and noted that the treaty body system was at risk of being eroded due to insufficient resources, chronic under-reporting and limited coherence and called for measures to ensure sustainable financing.
The report of the Secretary-General containing conclusions and recommendations by Special Procedures (HRC/52/19) offered a comprehensive overview of the reports presented by mandate holders to the Human Rights Council and the General Assembly during the past year. It listed all the themes addressed by mandate holders in their thematic and country-visit reports, and highlighted the work done on several pivotal issues. It demonstrated that the conclusions and recommendations put forward by mandate holders contributed to and were an integral part of efforts to ensure that human rights were transformative and provided solutions.
General Debate on the Promotion and Protection of All Human Rights, Civil, Political, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, including the Right to Development
In the general debate, speakers, among other things, welcomed the High Commissioner’s report to promote the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. As the international community commemorated the seventy-fifth anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights and thirtieth anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, speakers reiterated their firm resolve to promote, respect, protect, and fulfil the human rights of all persons. The valuable contributions of the Human Rights Council in raising important issues under agenda item three, such as the effects of climate change, modern technologies, the right to development, and transnational corporations, were commended. The Council was urged to call for continued dialogue on human rights to overcome the challenges facing societies. However, this year human rights had suffered considerable setbacks, due to conflict, the climate crisis, and the cost of living crisis. Now more than ever, there was a need for the Council to ensure balance in its work. Some speakers noted that the pursuit of selective approaches and double standards weakened the Human Rights Council, which impeded any possibility for cooperation.
Speakers affirmed their continued commitment to constructive engagement with all parties in the Council, based on their belief that dialogue and constructive cooperation were the main key to resolving all differences. There was an urgent need to promote peace, tolerance, mutual understanding and cooperation among all individuals and societies, regardless of their backgrounds or beliefs. International dialogue and cooperation would contribute to improving the living standards of all people and communities. Some speakers said it was important that States engaged in discussions based on clear principles and values that enjoyed wide acceptance, and took into account the national and regional specificities and the different historical, cultural and religious backgrounds of Member States, in common endeavours for the promotion and protection of human rights for all.
Many speakers believed that the Human Council should devote equal attention to promoting all rights, including the right to development. Civil, political, cultural, social, and economic rights, and the right to development, were all indivisible and equal, and should be safeguarded on the same level with the same emphasis. The right to development needed to become a reality for everyone. States and human rights mechanisms were called on to ensure that human rights were not used as a pretext for interference in political affairs. Emphasis needed to be placed on the Sustainable Development Goals, and development should be mainstreamed throughout the entire human rights system
States needed to intensify their efforts to address all forms of discrimination against minority groups, especially those facing intersectional forms of discrimination. The economic, social, and cultural rights of members of marginalised populations were too often forgotten. It needed to be ensured that members of marginalised populations such as women, children, youth, older persons, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons, persons with disabilities, racial and ethnic minority groups, and indigenous persons were considered in the efforts to further protect and realise their economic, social, and cultural rights to create a more equal and prosperous world for all.
Indigenous persons had an equal right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, including the right to access, without discrimination, all social and health services. To achieve the full realisation of this right, experiences and good practices needed to be exchanged among countries. Indigenous peoples had the right to their traditional medicines and to maintain their health practices, as well as to be actively involved in developing and determining health programmes affecting them and, as far as possible, to administer them through their own institutions. It was important to have frank dialogue and work together with indigenous peoples’ representatives to address their needs and improve their health policies.
Speakers said that all forms of racism needed to be discarded, and efforts in fighting the rhetoric of hatred needed to be strengthened. Intolerance was the worst form of violence; without genuine tolerance, no dialogue could have a lasting impact. Speakers considered the promotion of tolerance and respect to be key to combatting the rising scourge of racism, intolerance, hate speech and xenophobia. They reaffirmed their commitment to work with their partners around the world to promote these fundamental values and combat all forms of hatred, intolerance and extremism. Some speakers noted that freedom of religion and belief was enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Religion played a key role in the promotion of human rights around the world. However, today the world witnessed a growth of religious intolerance. Deep concern was expressed at the acts of intolerance and violence towards religious individuals, and groups, while there was a lack of political will to address these violations. The Council should take concrete measures to prevent negative stereotyping of religion and religious figures.
Speakers said that every individual deserved to live in a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. Effective global climate actions addressing the root causes of climate change were essential to ensuring the fulfilment of rights for all. Developed countries must boost up efforts to fulfil their obligations and international commitments, and provide support for climate actions in developing countries. All climate pledges made must be honoured and the Paris Agreement must be implemented. It was critical for the existence of small island developing States, and for the world, to reduce global greenhouse emissions. The need for more ambitious climate targets still remained. Climate change had hindered progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and affected the promotion of all human rights. The integration of human rights in climate policies would help tackle the climate crisis. Some speakers commended the resolution by the United Nations General Assembly affirming a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment as a human right.
Some speakers said new and emerging digital technologies had unlocked new opportunities for advancing human rights, but it was crucial that the international community stayed aligned in addressing their human rights risks. It was important to take a holistic and a human-rights based approach, taking into account States’ obligations under international human rights law to leverage the full potential of these technologies and to support sustainable development for all. Speakers noted that efforts to counter disinformation needed to be firmly grounded in the rule of law. Promoting access to reliable information from free, pluralistic media remained key to countering disinformation. Some speakers paid tribute to the success of human rights defenders working all over the world and remained steadfast in their commitment to support these people. They reiterated their support towards civil society participation in the Council and the importance of creating a safe environment for these groups.
Gender stereotypes needed to be challenged, to break the glass ceiling in all aspects of decision making. Without gender responsive budgets, the Sustainable Development Goals could not be achieved. Speakers said that too often, women and girls were underrepresented, even excluded, from environmental decision-making processes. There needed to be more women and girls in all their diversity at the table, including women and girls in vulnerable situations or belonging to marginalised communities. Adopting a gender-transformative approach and addressing multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination was crucial. It was also necessary to develop and adopt a human rights mechanism for the protection of older persons. Some speakers noted that the fight against torture was far from over. There was a need for universal ratification and full implementation of the United Nations Convention against Torture to ensure safe and peaceful societies. The needs of torture survivors continued to outweigh the response.
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HRC23.033E