News

15 June 2022 (submitted in writing)

Mr. President,

Excellencies,

Colleagues,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Let me start by expressing my sincere gratitude for organising this commemorative event.

The work of the Human Rights Council is important to all of us – members, observers, civil society, regional and other groups. It had its challenges and it had its successes. But what is the most important, is that it is a robust and pertinent international forum for addressing major human rights challenges in the world.

Enormous efforts, dedication and leadership of former Human Rights Council Presidents and the current President Ambassador Federico Villegas brought us to the success in the best spirit of multilateralism. We are grateful for that!

As we all know too well, human rights are sadly under attack. This Council is hope for many people, in particular the victims of human rights violations and war crimes, and those suffering from conflicts, crises, and terror. Such as Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Positive impact on the ground must be looked for while making any decision of this Council. Even little improvement on the ground counts and is the key to building more resilient societies.

Looking ahead, we must maintain the Council as effective body of multilateral cooperation, where international law is upheld, where common solutions to major challenges are found. We must protect victims and not allow the impunity for any violation, big or small, to prevail. We must also stand up for the new challenges, including the ones brought by climate change or technological developments.

Human rights do not start here nor they end here. But this Council is the major place for their protection. I want to call on all of us to realize that aim.

I thank you.