UN Human Rights Council meets in times of “seismic global shocks”
Published: Monday, Feb 26th 2024, 10:50
Updated At: Monday, Feb 26th 2024, 10:50
Volver a Live Feed
Wars, conflicts and tensions were the focus of the opening of the spring session of the UN Human Rights Council on Monday. In Geneva, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, spoke of "seismic global shocks".
"The pain and slaughter of so many people in the Middle East, Ukraine, Sudan, Myanmar, Haiti and so many other places around the world is unbearable," Türk said. He used the word "slaughter" in his speech, which was delivered in English.
Türk continued: "Within countries, the 'us versus them' ideology is leading to ever more dangerous and volatile divisions, especially in pre-election times, of which there are many this year. (...) Seeing the humanity in the other is the lifeline that can pull us out of the catastrophe."
UN Secretary-General António Guterres spoke of a dangerous drifting apart of the world into rival power blocs. He called on the global community to move closer together instead of continuing to give space to hatred and trampling human rights underfoot. Difficult times also opened up opportunities to show leadership and give justice a central place on the international stage.
International humanitarian law, which applies worldwide and sets guidelines for behavior in conflicts and protects civilians, must be respected again. It was created out of a clear realization: "Terrorizing a civilian population (...) is a recipe for endless anger, alienation, extremism and conflict."
Situation in Gaza does not make the situation in the UN Human Rights Council any easier
The constellation in the Human Rights Council with 47 rotating member states is difficult from the perspective of Western countries. For many, the situation in the Gaza Strip is the overriding issue. Some accuse Western states of using different yardsticks: they denounce oppression by the leadership of the Islamic Republic in Iran, for example, but do not take sufficient account of human rights violations against the Muslim population of the Gaza Strip. Western states reject this. In his opening speech, Guterres emphasized that there should be no double standards.
With regard to the conflict in the Gaza Strip, Guterres once again issued an urgent warning against an Israeli offensive in the city of Rafah in the south of the coastal region. "A full-scale Israeli offensive on the city would not only be terrible for the more than one million Palestinian civilians seeking protection there, but would also put the final nail in the coffin of our aid programs," he said.
Guterres condemned the terrorist attacks by extremist Palestinians in Israel on October 7 and Israel's military response. Nothing can justify the killing, injuring, torturing and kidnapping of civilians and the use of sexual violence, he said. "And nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people," said Guterres.
Baerbock calls for extension of investigations into Iran
Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock also wanted to take part in the kick-off meeting on Monday. Before her departure, she warned against losing sight of the human rights situation in Iran, for example, in light of the current wars in the Middle East and Ukraine. "For far too many people around the world, the promise of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights has not been fulfilled, even after 75 years," said the Green politician. "The fact that this is visible at the Human Rights Council in Geneva, as if under a magnifying glass, is a great achievement," she added.
"Especially in a world full of crises and conflicts, this burning glass must not become cloudy," Baerbock demanded. Rather, it must "remain clear and be able to illuminate where no one else is looking - in Iran and other places in the world". She is committed to this and therefore "we in the Human Rights Council will always listen, raise our voices, name injustice and demand accountability - for every person in the world".
Berlin said that Baerbock wanted to address the situation in Iran in Geneva, among other things. Germany pushed through an investigation in November 2022 following the suppression of protests against the government in Tehran. A group of experts is now presenting its report, which is expected to be debated on March 15. Baerbock is campaigning for the group's mandate to be extended. Iran refused to cooperate with the appointed experts.
The 47 countries are elected to the UN Human Rights Council by the UN General Assembly for three years at a time. Germany is currently a member. All countries can be brought up and speak there, but only the members can vote on resolutions. This happens towards the end of the session, which lasts until April 5.
©Keystone/SDA
Spanish 
English 
German 
French 
Arabic