A/77/PV.24 General Assembly

I would like to recall that the General Assembly, at its 3rd plenary meeting on 16 September, decided to consider agenda item 63 in plenary meeting and in the Third Committee, pursuant to resolution 65/281, of 17 June 2011. “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” Those words from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights speak to the centrality of human rights as one of the three United Nations pillars. Today’s crises make it even more urgent to meet the goals of the Declaration. The international community has come a long way in the promotion, protection and fulfilment of human rights, and the Human Rights Council is the living example of our progress. To share its work with us, I welcome Ambassador Federico Villegas of Argentina and commend his leadership as President of the Council. The presentation of annual report of the HRC (A/77/53 and A/77/53/ Add.1) allows us to gauge how well we are living up to our ideals and, in practical terms, enhance synergies between the Council and the General Assembly. The Council’s main responsibility to “promote universal respect for the protection of all human rights” underpins all the work we do in the Organization and all that we dare to dream. Peace and sustainable development can be ensured only if human rights are upheld for all people. (spoke in French) That call must translate into action. The interlocking crises facing our world are, at their core, human crises. And every Member State has a role to play. (spoke in English) The gap between international standards and lived reality on the ground has significantly eroded trust that our actions will lead to better outcomes for the people and the planet. (spoke in Arabic) That experience must be changed. I reaffirm the crucial role of the Human Rights Council in acting quickly to address emergencies that require international action, a duty it has fulfilled again this year. I commend the inclusive nature of the HRC. (spoke in English) By bringing a range of voices into its work — those of victims and survivors, civil society, human rights defenders, national human rights institutions and independent experts  — the Council is able to target its actions and catalyse progress. It has also shown ingenuity in exploring new areas of human rights related to the environment and climate change. The Assembly’s adoption in July of resolution 76/300, recognizing the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment is only the most recent example of how the Council is inspiring the work of the General Assembly. That alignment offers a powerful message on the cusp of the twenty-seventh Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change about the multidimensional impacts of climate change, which for all human beings is a matter of survival. (spoke in Russian) I join the Secretary-General’s call for an end to all acts of reprisals and intimidation against those cooperating or seeking to cooperate with the United Nations system. In the General Assembly, we are to organize our work at this session along two tracks: crisis management and transformation. I will do my best to ensure a human rights-based and gender responsive approach to all our activities carried out across these priorities. (spoke in English) I am proud to have convened the Platform of Women Leaders during the high-level week. I also intend to keep our decisions accountable to needs on the ground by engaging with members of civil society. If we do not hear their concerns today, will our decisions benefit anyone tomorrow? The immense workload of the Human Rights Council is a barometer of how our societies are doing. I wish the Council every success as it begins the fourth cycle of its Universal Periodic Review, and I encourage all Member States to engage in that unique mechanism in the spirit of cooperation — spirit invoked by Martin Luther King, Jr. when he wrote, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”. Let us take that to heart. Let us close the gap between standards and reality. In accordance with resolution 65/281, I now give the floor to the President of the Human Rights Council.

The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has the honour to take the floor on behalf of the Group of Friends in Defence of the Charter of the United Nations. We take note of the report of the Human Rights Council (A/77/53 and A/77/53/Add.1), presented to the General Assembly pursuant to the provisions of resolution 60/251. The Group of Friends believes that the Charter of the United Nations is a milestone and a true act of faith in the best of humankind. Its purposes and principles remain timeless and represent the foundation of an international system that pursues the establishment of a world where human rights, the right to development, and peace and security become a reality for all our peoples. Full respect for and adherence to those principles, which form the basis of modern international law, represent the path for the establishment of a more peaceful and prosperous world and a truly just and equitable world order. In that context, human rights are, precisely, the broadest and most comprehensive expression of such noble aspirations. The Universal Declaration and the universal system of human rights are historic achievements of humankind that we have an ethical and political duty to both preserve and strengthen. The States members of our Group of Friends attach the utmost importance to the promotion and protection of all human rights, individual and collective, without distinction of level or category, and also consider that their promotion and protection are strengthened on the basis of dialogue and cooperation, in accordance with the principles of impartiality, objectivity, transparency, non-selectivity, non-politicization and non-confrontation, and also taking into account respect for the principle of sovereignty and for all other obligations derived from the Charter of the United Nations, including the obligation to refrain from intervening in matters that are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any State — all within a framework of equality and mutual respect among States. In that regard, we regard the Human Rights Council as an institutional effort of the first order to efficiently bring the United Nations system closer to sustainable and advanced solutions, balanced and in line with the context of today’s world for addressing issues related to human rights, giving priority to dialogue and cooperation with States, and steadily preventing its use by external actors that seek to advance interests of a dubious nature. In that respect, we recall that the Universal Periodic Review is the most appropriate mechanism for constructive discussions of human rights situations worldwide. We also consider it necessary for the Human Rights Council to continuously review and update its own mechanisms and working methods in order to preserve the ideals that inspired its creation. We take this opportunity to reiterate our categorical rejection of double standards concerning human rights, bearing in mind that such an approach prevents a harmonious environment and progress in that area. Likewise, we also express our serious concern at the continued and growing proliferation of mechanisms and procedures that pretend to make “impartial” assessments of the human rights situation in certain States and that, in most cases, not only lack the due consent and participation of the State in question, but also base their reports on secondary, tertiary or other sources that may be partial or lack credibility, which ultimately turns such documents into mere propaganda pamphlets, while granting them a purported legitimacy simply because of the fact that they are issued by bodies of our Organization. We cannot overemphasize, in that context, the importance of preventing the name of our Organization and the spirit that should guide its efforts from being misused to advance objectives that are contrary to the purposes and principles enshrined in its founding Charter. For its part, the Group of Friends wishes to reaffirm its strong condemnation to the sustained and increasing application of unilateral coercive measures aimed at advancing interventionist and destabilization agendas that are both political and economic in nature and that dramatically impact the full enjoyment of the human rights of more than a third of humankind, preventing and hindering access, among other things, to food, medicines and medical treatments or equipment, financial services, education, technological advances and energy sources, among other basic goods and services, while at the same time providing an alleged legal cover for the confiscation of sovereign resources that may be deposited within the national banking system of those nations that apply such criminal measures. Those are cruel and inhumane aggressions that are severely impacting the social policies of the Governments of over 30 countries around the world, as well as the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals — a reality that, moreover, mainly affects the most vulnerable populations and is contrary to our collective promise to leave no one behind. In that connection, we must also emphasize that it is immoral and completely contradictory for some Governments to present themselves as champions and supposed guardians, defenders or promoters of human rights when, at the same time, with their deliberate and systematic policies, particularly through the illegal application of unilateral coercive measures, they commit mass violations and even crimes against humanity against the human rights of billions of people around the world on a daily basis. To put it clearly, that is simply incompatible. The States members of the Group of Friends reiterate their conviction that there is no other option than dialogue, cooperation, engagement and national ownership in every process that has as its real objective the strengthening of human rights, at both the national and international levels, while reaffirming their firm determination to continue working in an active and constructive manner to improve the effectiveness and scope of the universal system of human rights, including the institutional strengthening of the Human Rights Council, in order to preserve, promote and defend the prevalence and validity of the Charter of the United Nations, and most especially of one of its main pillars, both in letter and spirit. Against that background, we insist that it is essential to achieve a normative and institutional context in which the practices of politicization of human rights are not reproduced, confident that this will be key to preventing, among other things, the Human Rights Council from being condemned to the same fate as its predecessor. We therefore conclude by reaffirming our firm determination and willingness to continue contributing to an approach that promotes multilateralism and is complemented and multiplied in a transparent manner by other United Nations bodies. Only through measures that foster mutual and genuine trust, despite any differences that may exist, will it be possible to advance in the promotion, protection and full guarantee of all human rights and in favour of a truly more just, democratic and inclusive international and global society, with full guarantee for the ideals that inspired the establishment of the United Nations and that today, as never before, all our peoples equally demand.

I now give the floor to the representative of the European Union, in its capacity as observer.

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the European Union (EU) and its member States. The candidate countries Montenegro, Albania and Ukraine, as well as Andorra and Monaco, align themselves with this statement. The European Union would like to thank the President of the Human Rights Council (HRC), Ambassador Federico Villegas, for presenting the Council’s annual report (A/77/53 and A/77/53/Add.1) to the General Assembly. The European Union has been strongly supporting the Human Rights Council since its establishment and we continue to do so. Being the only United Nations body that is devoted purely to the promotion and protection of all human rights, the Council has greatly contributed to strengthening the United Nations human rights pillar. The system of special procedures, the establishment of accountability and investigation mechanisms, the Universal Periodic Review and all other mechanisms of the Council significantly contribute to the promotion and protection of human rights worldwide. The EU and its member States are proud that they have initiated or supported several resolutions that created many thematic and country-specific special procedures, such as the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar or Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees examination of the human rights situation in Belarus. We are also strongly supportive of the role of the Council in advancing economic, social and cultural rights. For instance, at the Council’s fiftieth session, the EU took the initiative of issuing a cross-regional statement calling on a digital transformation governed by human rights. In the HRC, like here in New York, we are actively engaged on initiatives supporting the rights of the child, freedom of religion or belief, and the advancement of women, among other topics. The HRC mandate includes addressing violations of human rights, including gross and systematic violations, and making recommendations thereon. The Council, together with the Third Committee, is where thematic human rights issues and situations in the world that require attention are discussed and where the international community calls upon States to deliver on their obligation to respect, protect and fulfil human rights that are universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated. In many parts of the world, the situation of human rights, including economic, social and cultural rights, is becoming increasingly dire. The coronavirus disease has only exacerbated the problem. In that context, we are reminded of our responsibilities across international forums — particularly, in Geneva with the HRC and in New York with the Third Committee, the Commission on the Status of Women and the Commission for Social Development — to work to ensure a world where human rights and human dignity are upheld. Our success must be measured not only by ending but also by preventing human rights violations, holding those responsible accountable and ensuring justice for victims and survivors. We must help the women and girls who are defending their freedom in Iran. We must help persecuted Uyghurs. We must prevent further violations of the human rights of Ukrainians perpetrated by Russia in its war of aggression against their country. We must improve the condition of Afghan women and girls. We must help the Belarusian people in their struggle to ensure respect for their fundamental freedoms and democratic aspirations. The EU continues to promote human rights around the world. We cannot and will not just ignore the widespread human rights violations and abuses that continue unabated in too many places. We are committed to engaging in the spirit of partnership and constructive cooperation with partners from all regions to reach lasting solutions that advance the promotion and protection of human rights. We will not look away when the most serious crimes continue unabated in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Myanmar, Ukraine, Syria and other places. We welcome HRC leadership in responding to human rights situations in more places where attention is urgently needed. We welcome the adoption last month of resolution 51/25, establishing the mandate of a Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights situation in the Russian Federation. That is also the case in Afghanistan, where the EU continues to call on the Taliban to form a representative and inclusive Government and to continue cooperation with United Nations agencies, with the Special Rapporteur and other special procedures mandate-holders appointed by the Human Rights Council. We welcome the adoption of the reinforced resolution 51/20, on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, which the EU presented at the fifty-first session and the urgent debate held during the fiftieth session on the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan. In Ethiopia, we underline the importance and urgency for all parties to cooperate with the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia and welcome the HRC’s renewal of the mandate of the Commission, as proposed by the EU. We also welcome the fact that the HRC has extended the mandate of the international independent fact-finding mission on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to assess alleged human rights violations committed since 2014. We underline the critical importance of the Council to the crisis in Syria. Violations committed by all parties, particularly the Syrian regime and its allies, cannot be ignored. Those responsible for violations of international law, in particular of international humanitarian law and human rights law, some of which may constitute war crimes or crimes against humanity, must be brought to justice. Civil society plays a crucial role in the work of the Council and its mechanisms. However, as confirmed by the report presented by Assistant Secretary-General Brands Kehris to the Third Committee last month, many States target individuals or groups who engage with the United Nations human rights system. The European Union strongly condemns any act or threat of reprisal. The ability of individuals or groups to raise concerns with special procedures without fear of reprisals is vital for the work of those mechanisms and their capacity to fulfil their mandates. We must do the utmost to prevent and eliminate reprisals. Last month, the General Assembly elected new members of the Human Rights Council (see A/77/PV.17). Serving as a Council member entails important responsibilities. Resolution 60/251 provides that “members elected to the Council shall uphold the highest standards in the promotion and protection of human rights [and] shall fully cooperate with the Council” (resolution 60/251, para. 9). We congratulate the new members and remind all Governments of their primary responsibility under international law to respect, protect and fulfil human rights in their own country and to fully cooperate with the Council’s mechanisms. We also strongly encourage all States and other stakeholders to cooperate with the special procedures as a means to enhance the protection and promotion of human rights. We take this opportunity to call on all States that have not done so to extend a standing invitation to all special procedures.

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, China, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, the State of Palestine, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, the Sudan, Tunisia, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates and my own country, Yemen Allow us at the outset to thank Mr. Villegas, President of the Human Rights Council, for his briefing and discussions, and to express our utmost appreciation for the Council’s efforts in promoting human rights around the world, especially amid successive and interconnected crises. We reiterate our adherence to international humanitarian law and international human rights law. We reaffirm that, under international law, it is the primary responsibility of States to promote and protect human rights, and we reiterate our unwavering commitment to addressing all alleged violations and ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable, in accordance with applicable international and domestic laws. We believe that the only sustainable solution to the crisis in Yemen is a political solution under the auspices of the United Nations, based on the agreed references and in accordance with the relevant Security Council resolutions, in particular resolution 2216 (2015). Any lack of progress in that regard will perpetuate the suffering of the Yemeni people . We welcome the adoption of Human Rights Council resolution 51/39, entitled “Technical assistance and capacity-building for Yemen in the field of human rights”. We take note of the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (A/HRC/51/62) in that regard. We also take this opportunity to highlight the critical work done to date by the National Commission of Inquiry, despite the challenges it has faced, including its field visits made throughout Yemen and consultations with civil society groups. The ongoing support for the national mechanism in Yemen, including through substantive capacity-building and technical assistance, will be in the interests of the people of Yemen by ensuring human rights monitoring, investigation and accountability, while maintaining the strong commitment of the international community to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Yemen. We condemn the Houthis militia’s decision to continue to deny the National Commission of Inquiry formal access to the areas they control or to respond to its correspondence, and call on them to cooperate immediately. We express our deep disappointment at the failure to extend the truce in Yemen and stress that the Houthis’ maximalist demands in the final days of negotiations hindered the United Nations efforts. We underscore that the last six months of the truce brought more calm and security, including a sharp reduction in civilian casualties. We are concerned now that, without the truce, the plight of Yemeni civilians will deteriorate. Finally, we reiterate our adherence to international humanitarian law and international human rights law, and reaffirm the importance of supporting the work of the National Commission of Inquiry. (spoke in Arabic) I shall now speak in my national capacity. Allow me to thank the President of the Human Rights Council, Mr. Federico Villegas, for introducing the report of the Council (A/77/53 and A/77/53/Add.1), which includes, inter alia, resolution 51/39, adopted under agenda item 10, in support of the capacities of the National Commission of Inquiry to investigate alleged violations of human rights. In that regard, the Government of my country reaffirms its full commitment to all human rights instruments incorporated into Yemeni legislation and international law. The Yemeni Government certainly thanks the Human Rights Council for adopting resolution 51/39, under agenda item 10. The resolution stresses the need to support and build the capacities of the National Commission of Inquiry to investigate violations of human rights. It reaffirms the need to support national mechanisms and to build and promote their capabilities to monitor violations to human rights, international humanitarian law and hold their perpetrators accountable. The Yemeni Government is keen to provide all the facilities necessary for the Commission to fulfil its mandate to investigate all alleged violations to human rights. Relevant national authorities are cooperating fully with the Commission as the national mechanism and point of reference agreed upon nationally and internationally to investigate all human rights violations and submit professional, transparent and impartial reports. The Yemeni Government strongly condemns the heinous practices of the Houthi militias in violation of human rights in areas under their control. Such practices include arrests, torture, forced disappearances, the use of mines in residential areas, the shelling of civilians, the prevention and blocking of humanitarian operations, the arrest of humanitarian workers, the recruitment of children, and gross violations against children, women, journalists and political and human rights activists, in addition to systematic violations against civilians in besieged Taiz for more than eight years, including women and children. The Houthi militias continue to perpetrate their violations, including by targeting the infrastructure and the economic facilities of the Yemeni people, launching terrorist attacks against oil facilities, most recently against Al-Dubba oil terminal, which was strongly condemned by the Security Council in its press statement of 26 October (SC/15080). The Security Council labelled that event a terrorist attack targeting the economic capabilities of the Yemeni people, undermining international efforts to achieve peace in Yemen and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. In conclusion, the Yemeni Government calls on the international community to condemn such terrorist attacks, which exacerbate the humanitarian crisis and hinder international and regional efforts to extend the truce. The Government agreed to extending the truce to serve the interests of the Yemeni people and as a positive step towards establishing a comprehensive ceasefire, reviving the political process, and achieving sustainable and comprehensive peace in Yemen based on the agreed political terms of reference, namely, the Gulf Cooperation Council Initiative and its Implementation Mechanism, the outcomes of the comprehensive National Dialogue Conference and relevant Security Council resolutions, foremost of which is resolution 2216 (2015). The Yemeni Government calls on the international community to take a firm stance and bring more pressure to bear against the Houthi militias to adhere to international resolutions, end their violations and crimes against the Yemeni people, and contribute positively to international and regional efforts to reach a political settlement to the conflict and establish comprehensive and sustainable peace in Yemen.

I have the pleasure to deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic countries: Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and my own country, Finland. We thank the President of the Human Rights Council (HRC), Mr. Federico Villegas, for his presentation and for his professionalism and dedication in steering the sixteenth cycle of the Human Rights Council. He has carried on the legacy of past presidencies of neutral and unbiased leadership focused on an effectively working Council. The Human Rights Council is the key human rights body of the multilateral system, addressing human rights violations and abuses no matter where they occur. The States members of the Council have a special duty to ensure that the Council stands up for everyone’s enjoyment of human rights, no matter if you are a woman, girl, LGBTIQ-person, indigenous, a person with disability, belong to a religious or ethnic minority, human rights defender or a person living in poverty. The Council’s determination to address Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the deeply concerning human rights situation in Russia and other situations of utmost concern, such as the plight of the people of Afghanistan and Syria, are important signs of leadership. However, the Council can and could do even more. People across the globe need the determination of the Human Rights Council more than ever. We regret that a majority in the Council declined to follow up the report on Xinjiang with a debate and that the Council has not been able to ensure independent and impartial monitoring and reporting on the situation in Yemen. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the Council-mandated special procedures and investigations play important roles in providing independent, credible and professional analysis to the Council. Hence, the Council should listen carefully to the assessments and recommendations of those experts. The Nordic countries fully support their work. The General Assembly has a duty to ensure that the OHCHR and the human rights pillar of the United Nations have the resources necessary to fulfil their mandate. We remain deeply concerned that currently this is not the case. We are working to ensure necessary and predictable funding through the regular United Nations budget for those purposes and support the HRC President’s efforts in that regard. The Nordic countries place special emphasis on the key role of civil society and human rights defenders. The Human Rights Council cannot fulfil its mandate without hearing the voices of those who defend human rights. We thank the President of the Human Rights Council for ensuring the participation of non-governmental organizations in the Council’s work. We also welcome the fact that the President has, in his work and appointments, taken due regard of the gender perspective, ensuring that the Council itself lives up to the standards it speaks for. The Nordic countries remain fully committed to the promotion and protection of human rights in the Human Rights Council and working with all stakeholders in that regard.

At the outset, allow me to congratulate the new United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr. Volker Türk. We look forward to working closely with him in the promotion and protection of human rights. We would also like to thank His Excellency Ambassador Federico Villegas, Permanent Representative of Argentina to the United Nations Office in Geneva, for his admirable work as President of the Human Rights Council and for presenting the Council’s annual report to the General Assembly (A/77/53 and A/77/53/Add.1). As a result of complex and interlinking challenges, including the coronavirus disease pandemic, humanitarian crises and the devastating climate change emergency, as well as with ongoing conflicts around the world, this has been an unprecedented year. Those multiple global challenges underscore the importance of strengthening multilateralism and adhering to the rules-based international order. At this critical juncture, the Human Rights Council has shown great strength and resilience in promoting and protecting fundamental rights, universal values and international law to transform the lives of the human family. The Council has also accelerated efforts to eliminate racial discrimination, inequality and set new human rights standard around the globe. I would therefore like to take this opportunity to commend the Council for its achievements during these challenging times and reaffirm our unwavering support to the Council and its work. The Maldives is delighted to have actively engaged in the Council since its inception in 2006. In 2010, we made history as the smallest country ever to be elected to the Council and served two consecutive terms for six years. We are honoured to have been again elected to serve as a member of the Council starting next year. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all countries for the confidence that has been placed in us and to assure them of our unwavering commitment to upholding and promoting the values of the Council. As a respected member of the international community, the Maldives is committed to the international human rights mechanisms, including, among others, the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and treaty bodies. In that regard, we are pleased to have successfully completed our third review of the UPR in 2020. We believe that the UPR process is of crucial importance and reiterate our commitment to actively participating in the UPR fourth cycle that is starting next week. In 2021, we also successfully concluded the review of our sixth periodic report at the eightieth session of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, reiterating our Government’s firm commitment to implementing and strengthening measures to end domestic and gender-based violence and discrimination against women and girls so as to fully meet the targets of Sustainable Development Goal 5. We are also proud to note that we renewed our standing invitation to all thematic special procedures mandate-holders in 2018. Since then, we have welcomed four Special Rapporteur and Working Group on Arbitrary Detention to the Maldives. The Working Group on discrimination against women and girls completed its visit to Maldives in October. We look forward to welcoming more special procedure mandate-holders in the coming months. We wish to reassure the international community that we will carefully and constructively observe the recommendations of special procedure mandate-holders with a view to improving the human rights situation in the Maldives. Climate change is not just a development issue, but an issue that infringes on many of our rights, including the right to a dignified life. We have long advocated the consideration of the impacts of climate change from a human rights perspective. In that regard, we especially recall our efforts to recognize a clean, healthy and sustainable environment as a human right through the landmark resolution Human Rights Council 48/13. We were a lead proponent of the historic General Assembly resolution 76/300 this year. The Maldives has ambitious goals for progressive climate action. We have become the first developing country to successfully phase out HCFC, 10 years ahead of the commitments outlined in the Montreal Protocol. The latest report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change shows that greenhouse gas emissions continue to increase and how current plans to address the climate emergency are not ambitious enough to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, a threshold that scientists believe is necessary to avoid even more catastrophic impacts. In light of the report, we reiterate our call on Member States to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to limit the global temperature this century to below 1.5°C. We also call on the developed countries to provide assistance in adaptation for small island States to reduce our vulnerability, which is essential to our survival. We recognize the attention given by the Council to the grave human rights violations being committed against various peoples around the world. While the Council has continued with its traditional set of resolutions on the human rights violations and atrocities committed by Israel against the Palestinian people, homes continue to be demolished, arbitrary detentions and settlement activities against every international law continue to be committed by the State of Israel with impunity. Like any other, the people of Palestine deserve to live in freedom in their independent State. We believe that a lasting solution is a two-State solution, with a Palestinian State based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as Palestinian capital. We are also equally proud of our efforts to enhance the inclusivity of the work of the Council, including with the Voluntary Technical Assistance Trust Fund, established in 2012 through resolution 19/26, put forward by Maldives and Mauritius as penholders, to support the participation of least developed countries and small island developing States in the work of the Human Rights Council. During our membership of the Council, we are committed to ensuring that the work of the Human Rights Council is conducted in a credible, balanced, transparent and effective manner. We will work to facilitate enhanced cooperation between member States and United Nations human rights mechanisms by understanding and addressing limitations and challenges, accelerating the work of the Council that has been deferred due to the pandemic, and promoting the participation of countries in special situations, especially small island developing States and least developed countries. While the Human Rights Council has achieved considerable success in its short tenure, it can continue to meet its mandate only if guided by the principles upon which it was founded, namely, the principles of universality, impartiality, objectivity, constructive international dialogue and cooperation. It is our hope that we will see the Council become a stronger, more efficient and effective institution in the coming years. Before I conclude I would like to take this opportunity to reaffirm, as a member of the Council, our country’s dedication to working with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in cooperating with other Member States in the promotion and protection of human rights globally.

We welcome the President of the Human Rights Council (HRC), Ambassador Federico Villegas. Argentina attaches great importance to the Human Rights Council, the main body of the global system for the promotion and protection of human rights, which Argentina is firmly resolved to continuing to strengthen. That commitment is reflected in our country’s close cooperation in all special procedures of the Human Rights Council, and especially with the Universal Periodic Review, which we consider to be an important and objective tool for facilitating dialogue among peers. I wish to make special mention of my pride in our country’s assumption this year of the presidency of the Council for the first time in history, in clear recognition of Argentina’s commitment to protecting and promoting human rights around the world since the restoration of our democracy. We also understand that holding the presidency of the Council entails a great responsibility, which has been assumed with conviction and commitment by Ambassador Villegas in a year of great challenges facing the international community. We appreciate the meeting of a large number of parties concerned with the human rights of older persons, held in Geneva under his presidency on 29 and 30 August. That event was an opportune moment to consider gaps in the protection of norms and standards in that area and to hold a productive discussion on the importance of working towards a legally binding instrument in the area of the human rights of older persons. We commend the renewal of the mandate of the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons, through Human Rights Council resolution 51/4. We also welcome the renewal of the mandate of the Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, through resolution 50/10. We believe in that mandate because we are convinced that the scale, gravity and widespread nature of such violence and discrimination require a very specific response from the Council through a special mechanism. We did not waver in that conviction. Furthermore, we wish to highlight the essential role played by the Human Rights Council in advancing the progressive development of international human rights law. One clear example of that is the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, which Argentina, alongside France, actively supported within the Council as the outcome of the struggle of the human rights movement over the course of several decades. We are striving for the universalization of the Convention, which we believe to be a crucial tool in combating impunity. In conclusion, we reiterate that the polestars of memory, truth and justice guide the institutions of Argentine democracy, as does our respect for diversity and inclusion, as reflected in our foreign policy. That allows us to participate in the Council’s work from a privileged position and with a great sense of responsibility. We must not squander this opportunity to build a strong, effective, efficient and impartial universal system that promotes the effective exercise of fundamental rights and prioritizes dialogue and cooperation. It is critical that we hold those values in mind in ensuring that the Human Rights Council successfully fulfils its mandate.

The Republic of Honduras welcomes the report of the Human Rights Council, contained in documents A/77/53 and A/77/53/Add.1. Honduras congratulates Mr. Volker Türk on his recent appointment by the Secretary-General as High Commissioner for Human Rights. The election of Honduras, for the first time, as a member of the Human Rights Council in 2021 was an event celebrated by my country. The humanist and supportive Government of Honduras, led by Her Excellency President Xiomara Castro Sarmiento, assumes that important responsibility with a renewed and hopeful vision that allows us to actively support initiatives that promote non-discrimination, women’s rights, the protection of people disabled and older persons, as well as the various protection systems for vulnerable groups and human rights defenders. The Government of the Republic of Honduras has as its primary purpose of State to guarantee the faithful defence and protection of human rights. The Honduran Constitution enshrines extensive rights and guarantees based on the dignity of the human person, who constitutes the ultimate goal of the State, in accordance with said norm. For the Government of Her Excellency President Xiomara Castro, it is vital to rebuild with memory, truth, justice and reparation for the victims of violations of their human rights, so that the events are not repeated. In that way, the Republic of Honduras is building a culture of peace and respect for human rights that prioritizes access to justice, non-discrimination and the prevention of stigma. As a member of the Council, my country has played an active role, emphatically speaking out in situations that compromise human rights in the world and in which the Council must take action, such as respect for the human rights of indigenous peoples, Afro-descendants, LGBTI people and migrants, as well as other groups in vulnerable situations. Among the priorities of Honduras in terms of human rights, we highlight the incorporation of a gender perspective as a transversal axis in State planning to guarantee the full and effective participation of women in all spheres, including politics, the economy, the culture and society, as well as the prevention of gender violence and access to sexual and reproductive education. Similarly, through its participation in the Human Rights Council, my country is committed to promoting issues such as women in international peace and security and supporting all actions that advance the rights of women and girls. Similarly, the current Government of the Republic of Honduras, through the Secretary of State in the Office of Human Rights, works closely with the various treaty bodies. An example that we allow ourselves to highlight is the Committee against Forced or Involuntary Disappearance, with which we are positioning Honduras as a State that seeks to reverse the effects of that complex crime, which violated the human rights of our population during the recent years of dictatorship. Honduras recognizes the universality, interdepend­ ence and interrelationship of economic, social, cultural, civil, political and development rights. Social peace is required as a prerequisite for the full realization of those rights. The Government of the first woman President of Honduras is working to repair and restore a State where respect for human rights is the fundamental axis to re­ store history. To conclude, we reiterate our commitment to collaborate with all the countries of this community of nations to ensure that the promotion and protection of human rights at the national, regional and global levels is the central axis of all our purposes.

I would like to thank His Excellency Mr. Federico Villegas for introducing the report of the Human Rights Council (A/77/53 and A/77/53/Add.1). We also take this opportunity to congratulate Mr. Volker Türk, the new United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. I am pleased to address the Assembly today as the State of Qatar is a member of the Human Rights Council for the term 2022-2024, which reflects the confidence of the international community in the active and positive role played by my country in protecting and promoting human rights and related issues. We would like to emphasize that the State of Qatar, through its membership in the Council, is eager to participate actively and cooperate constructively in the work of the Council with other Member States in order to best carry out the mandate of the Council, in accordance with the principles of impartiality, objectivity and non-selectivity. We are proud that the State of Qatar has made great achievements in the field of promoting and protecting human rights, especially in the area of developing and harmonizing national legislation to comply with international human rights law. The State of Qatar is committed to continuing to play a constructive and impartial role, especially through mediation, in resolving crises in the region from a human rights perspective. We affirm our State’s commitment to supporting the work of United Nations human rights bodies and mechanisms and to cooperating with them, for example by hosting the United Nations Human Rights Training and Documentation Centre for South-West Asia and the Arab Region, as well as by its adoption of an open- door policy to receive mandate-holders in charge of special procedures, especially those affiliated with the mechanisms of the Council. The State of Qatar places the issue of realizing human rights at the heart of the generous international relief and development programmes that it implements in many regions of the world. I refer in particular to programmes aimed at realizing the right to development and the right to education, as well as at mitigating the negative effects of climate change on the full and effective enjoyment of human rights. Indeed, those programmes receive a large percentage of the total support provided by the State of Qatar within its international cooperation programme. The report before us covers the Council’s resolutions on the human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, which reflect the ongoing flagrant human rights violations against the brotherly Palestinian people, perpetrated in an atmosphere of lack of accountability. I refer in particular to the flagrant violations against humanitarian workers and journalists. In that regard, we reiterate the call for an immediate, comprehensive, transparent and impartial investigation to ensure accountability for those involved in the assassinations of journalists Shireen Abu Akleh and Ghufran Warasneh. We also stress the need to ensure that the Palestinian people exercise their inalienable rights guaranteed by international law, international humanitarian law and international human rights law. I take this opportunity to welcome everyone here and football fans from all over the world to Doha in the upcoming weeks for the International Federation of Association Football World Cup. In organizing that historic event, we affirm that the State of Qatar has been keen to give the necessary attention to the important role of sport, especially football, in promoting peace, development and respect for human rights, as stipulated in the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and in resolution 76/259, entitled “2022 International Federation of Association Football World Cup in Qatar”.

I congratulate all the new members recently elected to serve on the Human Rights Council and wish them great success in serving the protection and promotion of human rights for everyone, everywhere. I also warmly congratulate His Excellency Mr. Volker Türk in his new role as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and assure him of our full support and cooperation. Namibia thanks the President of the Human Rights Council for introducing the Council’s report (A/77/53 and A/77/53/Add.1) and for taking the time to be here in New York with us. Our world finds itself in the midst of colliding crises. We have witnessed stark geopolitical tensions, threats to peace and security and a climate emergency that is giving rise to many other crises  — all while recovering from the coronavirus disease pandemic, which exacerbated existing inequalities. In the midst of all this, we have seen that human rights are under threat from various fronts internationally and within sovereign borders. Our efforts towards the protection and promotion of human rights must therefore be reinforced by strengthening international cooperation and multilateralism. We remain concerned by the rising number of conflicts in the world and the increase in violence against women and girls. That is a tragedy denoting a significant reversal of progress made in efforts to rid our world of violence. Women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons around the world remain vulnerable due to persisting and compounding inequalities. Escalating cases of racism, racial discrimination and intolerance also remain of concern to us. In that regard, Namibia welcomes the recent adoption of Human Rights Council resolution 51/32, entitled “From rhetoric to reality: a global call for concrete action against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance”, during the just concluded session of the Human Rights Council. While we welcome its adoption, we remain concerned that this topic  — including the elaboration of complementary standards to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, which enjoins States and all relevant stakeholders to take urgent measures to combat, prevent and eradicate the centuries old pandemics of racism and racial discrimination — still faces opposition on the Council. As Namibia’s term as a member of the Human Rights Council ends in December 2022, allow me to sincerely thank fellow States, civil society organizations and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights for the support and cooperation rendered to Namibia during its tenure. Our intention has always been to deliver on our pledges to human rights for all and to work together with all stakeholders in advancing the work of the Human Rights Council. Namibia is specifically grateful to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for the technical assistance rendered over the past few years, which has enabled Namibia to reach the final stages of setting up its national tracking database to enhance the implementation and monitoring of human rights recommendations from treaty bodies and those emanating from the Universal Periodic Review process. In conclusion, we face the most critical period in human history. Global peace is at stake, human dignity is at stake and the future of our global village is at stake. The current state of global affairs requires all States to take positive steps to improve individual and cooperative efforts towards human rights implementation. It is truly only through national and international interventions that we can effectively safeguard human rights, peace and security, and ensure the full realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all. Namibia will continue to make positive and constructive contributions to the work of the Human Rights Council and on the human rights agenda as a whole, including remaining engaged with special procedure mandate-holders.

Switzerland thanks the President of the Human Rights Council for his intervention and commitment over the past year. We warmly welcome today’s exchange, which strengthens the link between Geneva and New York. Switzerland reiterates its strong concern about violations and abuses of human rights throughout the world. The human rights situation has indeed faced considerable challenges in 2022. We welcome, however, the ability of the Human Rights Council to react quickly and decisively to deal with several of them. In addition to monitoring the situations on its agenda, the Council reacted promptly to Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine and the numerous violations of international humanitarian law and human rights. The Council also took up the issue of the worrying deterioration of human rights and the decline in fundamental freedoms in Russia. The establishment of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine and the creation of a special rapporteur mandate on the human rights situation in the Russian Federation are proportionate and adequate responses. In the Afghan context, Switzerland welcomes the fact that the Human Rights Council was able to address the tragic situation of the rights of women and girls by holding an urgent debate during its fiftieth session. On the other hand, Switzerland regrets that the Human Rights Council has not agreed to hold a debate on the human rights situation in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in China, given the assessment of the High Commissioner that serious human rights violations that could constitute crimes against humanity are being committed in Xinjiang. In addition, Switzerland continues to advocate for a resumption of monitoring of the situation in Yemen and the need for a new accountability mechanism. No State should be able to escape scrutiny as we work collectively towards the full realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms around the world. Strengthening the United Nations capacities in the area of ​prevention remains a priority for Switzerland. Human rights violations and the impunity of their perpetrators are indicators for the early detection of conflicts. We therefore continue to plead for better consideration of those indicators in measures to promote peace and security. As an elected member of the Security Council, Switzerland will work to promote rapprochement among the pillars of the United Nations in favour of strengthening the links between Geneva and New York  — between human rights and security. In that context, we regret that the briefing to the Human Rights Council by the Chairperson of the Peacebuilding Commission has still not been able to take place. We sincerely hope that it will materialize as soon as possible. Switzerland also wishes to emphasize the crucial role of civil society, including human rights defenders, in respecting, promoting and protecting human rights. Their participation is essential to the work and credibility of the United Nations. Civil society brings a differentiated view of the contexts and highlights the human rights violations likely to have a negative impact on the peace and stability of countries. As such, we deplore the continued efforts of some States to prevent those organizations from participating in the work of the United Nations. Switzerland reaffirms that any act of intimidation and reprisals against those who have cooperated, are cooperating or seek to cooperate with the United Nations is unacceptable. We thank the President of the Human Rights Council for his responsiveness to acts of reprisal in the context of the work of the Human Rights Council. The task incumbent on the presidency is not easy, especially when it comes to advocating for the availability of resources adequate to the mandate of the Human Rights Council. Switzerland, also in its capacity as host State, fully supports Mr. Villegas’ efforts in that direction and his commitment to the Council and the universal protection of human rights!

At the outset, let me express our appreciation to the President of the Human Rights Council (HRC), Ambassador Federico Villegas, for his presentation of the Council’s report (A/77/53 and A/77/53/Add.1) and his capable stewardship of the Council. At a time of unprecedented challenges, as we witness an ever-growing number of human rights violations and abuses in different parts of the world, the Human Rights Council remains a vital mechanism for addressing and preventing them. We fully agree with the HRC President that the Council can play a key role as a catalyst for sharing the experiences of States in human rights policymaking, which will in turn help boost progress towards achieving the goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Unfortunately, wars and conflicts deprive millions of people worldwide of their human rights. We commend the Council for its continuous engagement in human rights crises across the world and for its prompt response to those challenges, as demonstrated by the establishment of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, pursuant to HRC resolution 49/1, with the mandate to investigate all violations of human rights and international humanitarian law resulting from Russia’s premeditated, unjustified and unprovoked full-scale military aggression against Ukraine. We also thank the Commission of Inquiry for its written report, published on 18 October 2022 (see A/77/533). Georgia was elected to the Human Rights Council for the term 2023-2025 and will join the Council next year. As a Council member, we intend to focus our efforts on the protection and promotion of the rights of the most vulnerable groups, with special emphasis on women and girls, children and persons with disabilities, minorities, internally displaced persons and conflict-affected people. Georgia remains committed to contributing further to the comprehensive implementation of the Council’s mandate, in close cooperation with member States and all stakeholders, including non-governmental organizations. We believe that Georgia’s representation in the Human Rights Council will give an additional positive impetus to the work of the Council. We will continue to further strengthen cooperation with the United Nations human rights mechanisms. As a firm supporter of the Council’s special procedures, Georgia has extended a standing invitation to all special procedures mandate-holders and has already hosted several visits. We uphold the universality of the Universal Periodic Review and greatly value the work of treaty bodies. Georgia underwent the third cycle of the Universal Periodic Review last year. Moreover, Georgia’s sixth periodic report on the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women is scheduled to be reviewed by the Committee in February next year. With the purpose of promoting sustained participation and engagement in the work of the Council, Georgia is proud to be contributing to support the participation of least developed countries and small island developing States in the work of the Human Rights Council through its voluntary financial contribution. (spoke in English) We acknowledge the vital role of the technical assistance and capacity-building provided by the Council, with the aid of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), in strengthening national frameworks for the advancement of human rights. In that regard, let me underline the importance of resolution 49/33, “Cooperation with Georgia”, adopted under the relevant agenda item at the forty-ninth session of the Council, and draw the Assembly’s attention to the fact that, despite the repeated calls of the Council, the occupying Power continues to prevent OHCHR and other international human rights monitoring mechanisms from entering the Russian-occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions of Georgia. The subsequent report of the High Commissioner (A/HRC/51/64) clearly depicts the dire humanitarian situation on the ground. Alarmingly, the list of specific human rights violations in both regions of Georgia is long and includes, but is not limited to, deprivation of life, torture and ill-treatment, kidnappings and arbitrary detentions. The Russian occupation regime continuous its deliberate policy to drive ethnic Georgians out of the Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions by prohibiting education in their native Georgian language. According to the report of the Commissioner, more than 4,000 schoolchildren and around 600 children at kindergartens in the Gali district of Abkhazia, Georgia, are being deprived of their right to receive education in their native Georgian language. Unfortunately, a similar pattern is being repeated elsewhere in Abkhazia and in the Tskhinvali region. In that regard, let me underline the importance of Council’s engagement on this matter for preventing the situation on the ground from further deterioration. Mindful of the significance of a consolidated approach by the international community, Georgia plans to resubmit the resolution again at the fifty-first session of the HRC next year. In conclusion, let me reiterate Georgia’s strong support for the joint efforts of the international community for the advancement of human rights across the world.

We thank the President of the Human Rights Council for presenting a comprehensive and informative account of the Council’s work. The Council is the United Nations central human rights body, and as such it plays a crucial role in ensuring that States respect their obligations under international human rights law and in preventing and responding to violations thereof. We wish to take this opportunity to flag some of the key aspects of the work of the Council both during the reporting period and at its most recent session. We strongly welcome the unanimous adoption at the fiftieth session of resolution 50/11, on the importance of casualty recording for the promotion and protection of human rights, which Liechtenstein introduced together with Costa Rica, Croatia and Sierra Leone. We are looking forward to consulting the report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on how casualty recording can contribute to the upholding and fulfilment of the rights of victims, including the right to truth, the right to obtain effective remedy and reparation, and access to justice. The holding of special sessions on the Sudan and Ethiopia late last year and the urgent debate on Afghanistan proved that the Human Rights Council continues to be in a position to address human rights situations of concern in a timely manner. It also lived up to our expectations when it condemned in the strongest possible terms the human rights violations resulting from the unjustified and illegal war of aggression waged by Russia against Ukraine. The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, established under resolution 49/1, recently published its first report (see A/77/533), in which it concludes that an array of war crimes and violations of international human rights and humanitarian law have been committed in Ukraine. In line with the mandate set forward by the Council, the investigations of the Commission will continue to extend in scope and, by so doing, contribute to ensuring accountability for these heinous crimes. The human rights situation in Russia itself has also been the subject of mounting concern in light of mass arbitrary arrests, curtailing of media freedom and the suppression of peaceful protests. Political developments since February, and the more recent partial mobilization of the military, point towards protracted authoritarianism, with potentially severe consequences for human rights defenders, representatives of the political opposition, journalists, lawyers, civil society and persons belonging to minorities. Liechtenstein therefore welcomes the decision to appoint a special rapporteur on the human rights situation in the Russian Federation last month. By adopting resolution 51/25, the Human Rights Council proved once again that it responds in a timely manner to an escalating human rights crisis. The same, unfortunately, does not hold true for the follow-up to the report on the human rights situation in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, prepared by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in a lengthy process. The draft decision put forward earlier this month only requested a debate in response to the troublesome findings of the report. Still, a slight majority of the members of the Human Rights Council could not agree to merely discuss the findings of the report. We deplore the fact that the Human Rights Council missed a crucial opportunity to uphold its mandate, its credibility and its support for the High Commissioner in carrying out their mandate. The rejection of the draft decision is also a symptom of a larger problem with the Human Rights Council. Its founding resolution 60/251 provides that its members shall uphold the highest standards in the promotion and protection of human rights — a standard we all must keep in mind when electing the Council’s membership. Aspiring members of the Council should also commit to cooperating fully with the United Nations human rights system, including standing invitations extended to special procedures and the High Commissioner himself. In line with its mandate, the Human Rights Council must address the rapidly deteriorating situation in Iran in response to the violent suppression of peaceful protests. Liechtenstein strongly condemns the killing of Mahsa Amini, a symbol of many thousands who have peacefully protested for their rights and freedoms. It is crucial for the Council to send a strong signal of solidarity to the people of Iran, and particularly its brave women, who risk their lives by standing up for human rights every day.

Ukraine aligns itself with the statement by the observer of the European Union and would like to make comments in our national capacity. At the outset, I would like to convey the appreciation of my delegation to the President of the Human Rights Council, the Ambassador of Argentina, Mr. Federico Villegas, for his able and effective management of the Council’s activities. Ukraine strongly supports the Human Rights Council’s role in the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Ukraine considers its membership of the Human Rights Council as both an honour and a great responsibility, and intends to work, together with all interested actors, on further strengthening the role of the Council as the main body of the United Nations system in the sphere of human rights protection. We believe that the Council should increasingly strengthen the preventive dimension of its activity and address emergency situations in a timely manner, with the aim of preventing grave human rights violations, crimes against humanity and genocide. The persistence of human rights violations around the globe clearly demonstrates the need to focus more attention on preventive action. Regrettably, in many situations, violations of the norms of international human rights law and international humanitarian law are flouted with impunity. Ukraine highly appreciates the contribution of the Human Rights Council and its special procedures in addressing the current grave human rights crisis in Ukraine, arising from the full-scale Russian aggression. The activities of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, established under two relevant Human Rights Council resolutions to investigate, document and establish the facts and circumstances of violations and abuses of human rights and international humanitarian law committed by the Russian Federation in the course of its ongoing invasion of Ukraine, are of critical importance in preventing impunity. In its recent report (see A/77/533), the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine has found reasonable grounds to conclude that an array of war crimes and violations of human rights and international humanitarian law has been committed in Ukraine. The Commission has documented indiscriminate attacks with explosive weapons in populated areas by Russian armed forces. The Commission has also found that Russian armed forces have attacked civilians attempting to flee. The Commission has also documented patterns of summary executions, unlawful confinement, torture, ill treatment, rape and other sexual violence committed in areas occupied by Russian armed forces across the four regions on which it focused. People have been detained, some have been unlawfully deported to the Russian Federation, and many are still reported missing. Sexual violence has affected victims of all ages. Family members, including children, have sometimes been forced to witness crimes. Given the gravity of the identified violations, there is an undeniable need for accountability. In that regard, the Commission recommends the enhanced coordination of international and national accountability to improve effectiveness and prevent harm to victims and witnesses. Ukraine calls on all partners to enhance their efforts to bring perpetrators to justice. Accountability for all perpetrators and their commanders must be ensured. Ukraine supports the work of the United Nations treaty bodies system and is grateful for the tireless efforts of their members, aimed at assisting member States in implementing their obligations under the international human rights instruments more effectively. Ukraine values the Universal Periodic Review as a unique mechanism of the Human Rights Council to improve human rights situations in United Nations Member States. Ukraine also believes that the system of special procedures is an essential element of the United Nations human rights machinery and actively cooperates with them. Having opened a standing invitation to all human rights special procedures, Ukraine looks forward to their country visits to monitor and document human rights violations committed by the Russian Federation in Ukraine. Today we consider it crucial to maintain an effective and independent human rights monitoring presence in Ukraine, due to Russia’s full-scale invasion and war of aggression against my country, which has caused a dramatic and rapid deterioration of the human rights situation. In that context, Ukraine’s cooperation with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights could be considered to be exemplary. We look forward to the United Nations human rights monitoring missions continuing their regular, objective and credible monitoring of the situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, including the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, which could contribute to preventing human rights abuses and bringing those responsible to justice. In conclusion, let me reiterate Ukraine’s strong commitment to actively and further engaging in the work of the Human Rights Council.

China would like to thank Mr. Federico Villegas, President of the Human Rights Council (HRC), for his presentation on the work of the Council. China also thanks him for his leadership of the Council’s efforts. China welcomes the Council’s work over the past year in promoting and protecting economic, social and cultural rights, eliminating the negative impacts of unilateral coercive measures on human rights, promoting the equitable distribution of coronavirus disease vaccines and combating disinformation. At the same time, the work of the Council still faces multiple challenges. First, the politicization of human rights issues has intensified. A few countries are obsessed with spreading rumours and lies and instrumentalize human rights issues to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries. Secondly, we are seeing a proliferation, without the consent of the countries concerned, of country-specific human rights resolutions and mechanisms that interfere in the internal affairs of member States. Thirdly, some special mechanisms have exceeded their mandates, adopted a selective approach and violated the principle of objectivity and neutrality. Fourthly, issues related to economic, social and cultural rights and the right to development have not enjoyed sufficient attention, and there has been limited input on such issues as eliminating the impact of unilateral coercive measures on human rights. Human rights are not the prerogative of a select few countries, but are enjoyed by all people. We firmly oppose politicizing human rights issues and interfering in the internal affairs of other countries under the pretext of human rights issues. We are opposed to applying double standards to human rights issues. We call on all Member States to respect the principles of universality, impartiality, objectivity and non-selectivity; to strictly adhere to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations; and to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries. China has noted that the European Union, the United States, Finland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein, in total disregard for the facts, have fabricated lies on Xinjiang-related issues and made baseless accusations against China, which we firmly reject. As the representative of Finland reminded the Assembly, speaking on behalf of the Nordic countries, the HRC soundly rejected the Xinjiang-related draft resolutions submitted by the United States and other Western countries and rejected the assessment of Xinjiang- related issues by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. That represents a victory for truth and the facts, and a shared victory for all developing countries. Those Western countries remain silent regarding their own human rights issues but fabricate lies and hurl unfounded accusations against developing countries, including China, revealing yet again their hypocrisy and use of double standards on the issue of human rights. They turned a blind eye and deaf ear when Xinjiang suffered violent terrorist attacks, but now that Xinjiang is enjoying stability and prosperity, they have grown restless and launched a smear campaign against us. The truth is clear to us all — what they really care about is not human rights in Xinjiang but their own hegemony. Flying in the face of the trend of the times, they seek to hinder China’s development, but their actions are futile. Human society is now living in the twenty-first century. Long gone are the days when Western countries could attempt to bully developing countries. The promotion and protection of human rights is the unremitting pursuit of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the Chinese Government and the Chinese people. Following the recent successful convening of the twentieth National Congress of the CPC, Chinese people of all ethnicities, brimming with vigour, pride and confidence, are embarking on a new journey to build China into a modern socialist country in all respects. We are committed to furthering the Chinese-style modernization process and shaping a more prosperous, democratic, civilized, harmonious and beautiful China in the service of our people’s happiness. We stand ready to work with all countries to carry forward humankind’s common values of peace, development, fairness, justice, freedom and democracy; adhere to true multilateralism; firmly uphold the international system, with the United Nations at its core; promote the development of global governance in a more just and reasonable direction; and promote the building of a human community with a shared future.

I wish to extend a warm welcome to Ambassador Federico Villegas to the General Assembly and congratulate him on his election as President of the Human Rights Council. I also want to thank him for his presentation of the annual report of the Council (A/77/53 and A/77/53/Add.1) to the General Assembly The Human Rights Council was established as a subsidiary body of the General Assembly to promote human rights universally, consistently, impartially, inclusively and transparently. Thus, it is a matter of great concern to witness the repeated and deliberate politicization of the human rights mechanisms and machinery. Allow me to make the following specific points with regard to the mandate of the Council: First, the proponents of the Council’s prevention mandate unfortunately overlook the relevance and applicability of the mandate to situations where it is especially relevant  — that is, in situations of foreign occupation and alien domination. The forcible occupation of territories and the accompanying oppression of peoples are the primary cause of gross, systematic and widespread human rights violations. We therefore call upon all countries to take decisive actions to prevent and redress the violations of human rights universally and not selectively, particularly in situations of foreign occupation and alien domination. Secondly, human rights situations in United Nations-recognized disputed and occupied territories warrant the much closer attention of the Council. Occupying Powers invariably resort to draconian laws to create impunity for their oppression and crimes and avoid accountability. One standard colonial ploy is to portray legitimate struggles for self-determination and liberation as terrorism. Thirdly, the Council should consider country- specific human rights situations under its agenda item 4, on the basis of universal and non-selective criteria. They should refrain from targeting only their adversaries or weaker States, while ignoring the crimes and atrocities of their large strategic partners. Fourthly, it is regrettable that expressions of racial hatred, religious supremacy and violent nationalism have moved from the fringe to the political mainstream. Islamophobia has been mainstreamed in the political discourse of certain political parties and Governments and emerged as a pervasive phenomenon. It is manifested in calls for the expulsion of Muslims, restrictions on the hijab and other Muslim practices, provocations, such as the burning of the Holy Quran and vandalization of Islamic holy sites and symbols, hurtful caricatures and discrimination and violence against Muslims. The Human Rights Council must promote specific action to combat Islamophobia. Pakistan reaffirms its abiding commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms at the national and international levels. To that end, we will continue to work towards strengthening dialogue, constructive engagement, consensus-building and international cooperation in the Third Committee and in the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Croatia welcomes the President of the Human Rights Council, Ambassador Federico Villegas, and thanks him for presenting the Council’s annual report (A/77/53 and A/77/53/Add.1) to the General Assembly. Croatia aligns itself with the statement of the European Union, and I would like to add some remarks in my national capacity. Croatia continues to strongly condemn the Russian Federation’s military aggression against Ukraine, which has dramatically exacerbated the human rights situation in the country, as well as all over the world. Although the United Nations prevention and protection capacity need to be improved, we have shown that we are capable of taking action. When we are blocked in the Security Council, we act in the Human Rights Council, as well as in this very Assembly. We have taken joint action through the General Assembly, overwhelmingly condemning the crime of aggression, warning that there will be accountability for the crimes committed, and isolating their perpetrator. Likewise, this year we have decided that the Russian Federation does not belong on the Human Rights Council, the United Nations organ that protects and promotes human rights. We should always have the means to stand up to aggressors, including in this arena, to show that aggression will not be tolerated. Croatia has always been a supporter of the Human Rights Council, both as a member and as an observer. The members of the Human Rights Council should be at the forefront as strongest advocates of human rights and lead by example, at home and abroad. The Human Rights Council has the duty to address the growing impunity for gross violations of human rights across the world by establishing mechanisms, oversight and putting the issues on its agenda. We highly appreciate the excellent support of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in that regard. Croatia is contributing to the work of the Council by drawing from our own experiences. We are proud to have been part of core groups for two important resolutions adopted this year. With Costa Rica, Sierra Leone and Liechtenstein, we helped adopt resolution 50/11, on the importance of casualty recording for the promotion and protection of human rights. Casualty recording can contribute to better protection of civilians in armed conflicts and complement efforts to account for missing persons. Those records can also provide valuable evidence in all forms of accountability, transitional justice, and reconciliation processes. The core group consisting of Poland, Costa Rica and Croatia submitted resolution 51/6, on conscientious objection to military service, which was again adopted by consensus. Croatia believes that civil society and human rights defenders’ work is indispensable in the field of the promotion and protection of human rights at the national and multilateral levels. In certain situations, their voices are the early warnings of looming grave human rights violations and abuses. It is the responsibility of the State to provide a safe environment, free of reprisals and intimidation, including for individuals or groups cooperating with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights. We commend those States that have committed themselves to firmly opposing reprisals, strengthening the protection of civil society and promoting the participation of civil society in the Human Rights Council. Moreover, we hold that we should seriously consider extending the possibility of civil society’ participation in the General Assembly and at the Economic and Social Council, following the good practices of the Human Rights Council. Mr. Alhajeri (Kuwait) (spoke in Arabic) Today in the General Assembly, we are discussing an extremely important item on our agenda. I thank the members of the Human Rights Council for their tireless efforts and ongoing endeavour to establish and defend the principles of human rights and to enhance the role of human rights in the international community. In that regard, my delegation would like to stress that the State of Kuwait is aware of the magnitude of the challenges facing the United Nations and all its organs related to the promotion and protection of human rights, especially the Human Rights Council and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, which seeks to ensure that all peoples of the world enjoy their basic rights, in line with the purposes and principles of the United Nations contained in the Charter, and consistent with its aspirations for a world that works to achieve sustainable development within a framework of peace, security and safety. The commitment of States to respecting human rights is the contemporary yardstick for measuring the progress of peoples and nations, just as the Charter of the United Nations supports the advancement and promotion of human rights and the preservation of their freedoms. That is also included in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as Goal 16 encourages the establishment of peaceful and inclusive societies and provides access to justice for all. It requires all of us to strive and work hand-in-hand to achieve it. In that context, I stress that my country pays great attention to human rights issues. Since achieving independence, the State of Kuwait has striven to achieve justice and equality on all fronts through the Constitution of the State of Kuwait, which is the main guarantee and first line of defence of human rights. The provisions of Kuwaiti legislation are consistent with the Constitution, confirming the State’s belief in human rights in practice and application in all their aspects. At the local level, the State of Kuwait has achieved most of the goals set out in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It has recorded many tangible successes in its efforts to completely eradicate poverty and hunger, provide quality education at all stages without exception, and bridge the gap in gender equality and the provision of health care. My country has also made important strides in economic, social and human development. Article 7 of our Constitution refers to the principles of justice, equality and compassion among individuals, while Article 8 stipulates that the State safeguards the foundations of society and guarantees security and equal opportunities. Articles 36 and 37 guarantee freedom of the press, publication, thought and expression of opinion. In addition, to strengthen and upgrade the role of women in society, my country established the Ministry of State for Women’s and Children’s Affairs, as the Kuwaiti Constitution affirms that people are equal in human dignity without discrimination. My country has also ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. Regrettably, today we are witnessing ongoing flagrant violations of human rights in various regions of the world, which constitutes a challenge of the utmost complexity that the international community must address and confront with care and wisdom. In that context, the State of Kuwait strongly condemns the ongoing expansion and creation of illegal settlements in the Palestinian territories by the occupying Power and its perpetration of the most heinous and flagrant violations against the defenceless Palestinian people, in disregard of international law, international human law and all the relevant resolutions of the Security Council. This issue is of long standing, and it is high time for the international community to show courage, restore the rights of the Palestinian people and put an end to their suffering. The State of Kuwait appreciates all international efforts aimed at shedding light on the plight of the vulnerable Rohingya minority and affirms the need for an immediate end to the violence and threats against that minority and to work for the voluntary return of refugees by safe and peaceful means, in line with United Nations recommendations. In conclusion, my delegation reaffirms the importance of promoting, respecting and protecting human rights, and that peace is a prerequisite for the enjoyment of those rights. We stress that the promotion of human rights will bear fruit only through cooperation and coordination among Member States, working with regional and subregional organizations, United Nations bodies and governmental and non-governmental bodies to achieve a more sustainable world.

Portugal aligns itself with the statement delivered by the observer of the European Union. In my national capacity, I would like to start by thanking Ambassador Federico Villegas for presenting the Human Rights Council report (A/77/53 and A/77/53/ Add.1) to the General Assembly and for his tireless work and dedication as President of the Council. Portugal is very grateful for the way he is carrying out his mandate. As he mentioned in his presentation earlier today, next year we celebrate not only the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, but also the thirtieth anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action. Those founding documents state that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They recall that disregard and disrespect for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts that outrage the conscience of humankind. We want to highlight the Council’s timely debates on Afghanistan, Ukraine, the Sudan and Ethiopia, as well as the establishment of the very important Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine. All of this has reminded us of the indivisibility and interdependence of all human rights, be they civil, cultural, economic, political or social. They create the basis for the threefold obligation of States under international law to respect, protect and fulfil human rights. Let us take profit from these anniversary celebrations to go back to basics, and let us do so together as an international community working within the framework of multilateral institutions, with the United Nations at its centre. Let us work in partnership, strengthening the synergies between New York, Geneva and the field, collaborating closely with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights while standing up for its strict independence, and rendering the Secretary-General’s call to action for human rights concrete and tangible. Since 2006, Portugal has been an active player on and strong supporter of the Human Rights Council. There, we have led resolutions on the realization of economic, social and cultural rights, on the right to education, on mental health and human rights, and on human rights in the context of HIV/AIDS. We are also in the core group of the resolutions on youth and human rights, on human rights and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and on the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy. We contribute to the Voluntary Technical Assistance Trust Fund to Support the Participation of Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States in the Work of the Human Rights Council. We do so because we believe in the greater, more diverse and inclusive participation of all to ensure a more effective multilateralism. That is why Portugal is also a strong supporter of multilingualism and of civil society involvement. Portugal also led the Group of Friends of National Mechanisms for Implementation, Reporting and Follow-Up, and we are committed to bringing a new dynamism to the Group of Friends of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Portugal defends parity among all three of the United Nations pillars, both in institutional terms and in financial terms. Financially, we believe that allocating less than 7 per cent of the overall budget to the human rights pillar is not adequate. Institutionally, we support the consultations that the President has so aptly conducted on the revision of the Council’s status, which should be upgraded to a main United Nations body. But it is not just parity we advocate for. Mainstreaming human rights in all United Nations pillars, strengthening the synergies between the Human Rights Council and the Security Council, and including a human rights perspective in every single peace and security process must also be our priorities. When we talk about the universal abolition of the death penalty, the promotion of gender equality and the protection of human rights defenders and of persons in situations of vulnerability, Portugal will be there. When we talk about fighting racism and combating all forms of discrimination, Portugal will be there. For the realization of the rights to education or health, or for the recognition of the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, Portugal will be there. Members can count on us.

My delegation welcomes the President of the Human Rights Council and takes note of his presentation of the report of the Council (A/77/53 and A/77/53/Add.1) as a subsidiary organ of the General Assembly. Egypt supports the mandate of the Council, as established in General Assembly resolution 60/251, and the institution-building package contained in Human Rights Council resolution 5/1. We also stress that special procedures mandate-holders of the Council adhere to the governing parameters established in Council resolution 5/2. Egypt consistently calls for the operation of the Council on the principles of impartiality, objectivity, non-selectiveness, constructive dialogue and cooperation. It is worrisome to witness the polarization that is marring the work and functioning of the Council, leading to divisiveness, contrary to the objective of the promotion and protection of human rights. We continue to uphold the Universal Periodic Review mechanism as the only mechanism that allows for reviewing the situation of human rights in all countries on the basis of equality, objectivity, non-politicization and non-interference in the domestic affairs of States, in a spirit of interactive dialogue and cooperation. The international community is facing a series of consecutive and long-standing global crises and challenges. Those, without a doubt, have adverse impacts on the enjoyment of human rights, especially economic, social and cultural rights, and the right to development. In that connection, Egypt regrets the long overdue operationalization of the right to development as an overarching, comprehensive, individual and collective, universal and inalienable fundamental right. It is timely to address the lack of progress in that regard , whilst the Council continues to engage in the creation of new, controversial mandates in a manner that leads to exclusion, hierarchy and fragmentation of human rights, contrary to the commitments made in the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action that all human rights are universal, indivisible and interdependent and interrelated. At this critical juncture, Egypt expresses its alarm at the noticeable rise in manifestations of xenophobia, Islamophobia, racism, racial discrimination and related intolerance. It is a cause for concern that the expanded use of digital platforms has facilitated the proliferation of hate speech, incitement to hatred and violence against persons based on religion and belief. In the same vein, my delegation wishes to highlight the importance of elaborating standards and regulations to govern the use of digital technologies in a manner that respects human rights and prevents the use of such technologies in facilitating transnational organized crime, the gravest of which is terrorist activity, recognizing the detrimental impact of terrorism on the enjoyment of human rights. My delegation takes this opportunity to reiterate its support for and commitment to the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, and calls upon the international community to uphold its responsibility in that regard. In conclusion, my delegation reiterates its commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights as enshrined in international human rights, consistent with Egypt’s obligations in that regard, as translated in the elaboration of its national human rights strategy, the implementation of which is under way, with the engagement of all relevant stakeholders.

Malaysia wishes to express its appreciation to Ambassador Federico Villegas, President of the Human Rights Council, for presenting the report of the Council, as contained in documents A/77/53 and A/77/53/Add.1. We also wish to commend the work of the Council’s 2022 Bureau under his leadership. In line with our Human Rights Council membership priorities, Malaysia has maintained and will continue its activism in the Council. We will also sustain and strengthen our engagement with the Council’s mechanisms and continue supporting the work of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Our active participation in the Human Rights Council is a manifestation of Malaysia’s unwavering commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights, both at home and globally. The Human Rights Council plays a crucial role in strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights worldwide. Malaysia believes that the Human Rights Council should provide the avenue that allows United Nations Member States to work together to advance human rights, especially of those most vulnerable. In order to foster an environment that helps States to better fulfil their human rights obligations, the Council should promote the values of constructive engagement, cooperation, inclusivity, transparency and mutual respect. In line with the universality of human rights, it is imperative that all human rights violations be addressed with the same degree of urgency and vigour, irrespective of where they occur. In that regard, we should not turn a blind eye to long-standing human rights violations. Malaysia regrets that such violations, including the systemic oppression of the Palestinians and the Rohingyas, have been allowed to persist. That is due in part to the refusal of some members of the Security Council that are also members of the Human Rights Council to allow redress to take place. Malaysia continues to urge affirmative action to bring those atrocities to a swift end. At the same time, we regret attempts to introduce human rights concepts that are inconsistent with existing human rights instruments, as well as insensitive towards the unique domestic situation of States. It is imperative that the Council factor in the views of all regional groups in deliberating human rights issues in order to increase acceptance and improve compliance. The Council has accomplished a great deal since its founding. We are also witnessing several challenges that are undermining its mandate. When Ambassador Villegas took office as President, he identified some of those challenges to include growing politicization. Malaysia shares great concern over the increasing politicization of the Council’s work, which contravenes the basic principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations. It is imperative that we avoid such actions in order to prevent the Council from facing the same fate as its predecessor.

My delegation aligns itself with the statement made by the representative of Venezuela on behalf of the Group of Friends in Defence of the Charter of the United Nations. We thank Ambassador Villegas for his professional work at the head of the Human Rights Council. No country is free of challenges in the area of human rights. Likewise, no country should impose its own paradigm or vision on the rest. Human rights are a common cause that should not be instrumentalized for hegemonic purposes. The protection and promotion of all human rights should be addressed from the basis of the principles of universality, objectivity and non-discrimination. There is no path other than that of respectful dialogue and international cooperation. However, selectivity, punitive practices, double standards and political manipulation continue to be used in the consideration of human rights, in particular against the South. Such practices generate only confrontation and distrust and do not improve the situation on the ground and delegitimize the human rights mechanisms of the United Nations. Despite the fact that such practices brought about the dissolution of the Commission on Human Rights, the appropriate lessons have not been learned. Selectivity and politicization continue to be advanced within the Human Rights Council and its special procedures. We insist that the special procedures mandate-holders abide by the code of conduct that was drawn up in the process of the Human Rights Council’s institutional construction and that they work on the basis of objective and verified information. That does not happen in all cases. It is unacceptable that selectivity is openly used to target situations in developing countries, sometimes using coercive unilateral measures that have a significant impact on human rights. Meanwhile, the human rights violations of wealthy countries are met with complicit silence. In that regard, the Universal Periodic Review is the only mechanism allowing for a comprehensive analysis of the situation of human rights in all countries on an equal footing. That practice should be safeguarded. The Human Rights Council can and should fulfil its role better, including by avoiding double standards and catering to spurious interests. Strengthening the Council on the basis of its mandate and as a subsidiary body of the General Assembly is a goal that we share. We believe that it should be pursued in strict adherence to the aforementioned packaged of institution-building guidelines. The Council should do more to promote rights whose existence, paradoxically, bothers those who believe they have the right to lecture others in that regard. The Council’s authority will be essential to advancing the rights to development, peace, a healthy environment and international solidarity. It could also better promote a fair and democratic international order. So long as the current unjust order endures, hegemonic interests, underdevelopment and the exclusion of the poorest countries will prevail. The Council should be more active in denouncing the impact of coercive unilateral measures on human rights. The Council must be allowed to exercise its functions. We do not agree with attempts to seek closer ties between the Human Rights Council and the Security Council or to assign responsibilities to the Human Rights Council that are foreign to its mandate. As an active member of the Council, Cuba will continue to work in favour of cooperation, dialogue and mutual respect. We will continue to oppose manipulation, selectivity and double standards. With that in mind, we have submitted our candidacy for re-election for the term 2024-2026 in the elections to be held in autumn 2023. We will continue to work for the promotion and protection of all rights for all people, despite the colossal impact that the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States has had on the exercise of those rights for more than six decades. We will never stop condemning that blockade. The international campaign waged and financed by the United States against my country to distort our reality, generate inequality, undermine the constitutional order freely chosen by our people, and justify the policy of aggression against Cuba will not achieve their intended purpose of defeating us.

Poland aligns itself with the statement of the European Union and wishes to offer additional remarks in its national capacity. Let me offer a word of congratulations and encouragement to all the newly elected members of the Human Rights Council. I thank President Villegas for his commitment and tireless work not only to maintain, but also to increase the relevance, effectiveness and visibility of the Human Rights Council at this very challenging time. We highly value his efforts to minimize the politicization and polarization of the Council and to foster cooperation with all its mechanisms and partners. That is an important step towards improving the role of the Human Rights Council in conflict prevention and post-conflict reconstruction and towards having a real impact on the lives of individuals on the ground. As a current member of the Human Rights Council, Poland underscores its commitment to the promotion, protection and fulfilment of human rights for each individual, regardless of where she or he lives. In its foreign policy, Poland attaches particular importance to upholding the human rights of persons in the most vulnerable situations, such as children and persons with disabilities. We advocate the full realization of freedom of religion or belief for all. We have underscored those priorities throughout our membership in the Human Rights Council in the period 2020-2022. We also believe that maintaining the highest standards of good governance directly translates into enhanced protection of human rights. At the fifty-first session of the Human Rights Council, Poland, along with other members of the core group — Australia, Chile, the Republic of Korea and South Africa — presented resolution 51/5, on the role of good governance in the promotion and protection of human rights. This year’s thematic focus of the resolution was on the role of new technologies in securing good governance. Poland is deeply concerned about the human rights situations in certain countries that border Poland to the East. The democratic aspirations of countries in Eastern Europe have been our long-time priority. We therefore condemn in the strongest terms the illegal and unprovoked Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, which has resulted in brutal and horrific human rights violations. Their perpetrators must be held accountable. We reiterate our grave concerns about the deteriorating human rights situation in Belarus, which includes violations of the human rights of persons belonging to national minorities, including the Polish national minority, and the Catholic community. We are deeply worried about the constantly deteriorating human rights situation in the Russian Federation, exemplified by detentions, repressive legislation and shrinking space for exercising fundamental freedoms. We call on the Russian authorities to fully cooperate with the newly created mandate of Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation. In recent years, during Poland’s membership, the Human Rights Council has given proper attention to the human rights situation in Ukraine arising from Russian aggression, Belarus and Russia, including by creating mechanisms dedicated to monitoring situations in those countries. We believe that current developments warrant maintaining the increased scrutiny by the Council, and we encourage all Council’s present and future members, as well as Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, to do so.

At the outset, my country’s delegation would like to express its appreciation for the efforts of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and to all mandate-holders for drafting the report under agenda item 63 (A/77/53 and A/77/53/Add.1). We also thank the President of the Human Rights Council (HRC) for his comprehensive briefing and for his able leadership of the work of the HRC, one of the most important subsidiary bodies of the General Assembly. My country’s delegation would like to reiterate Algeria’s firm commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights and respect for its international obligations under international human rights law, as well as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international conventions and instruments establishing the duties that bind States to protect human rights and make them by concrete legal reality. We call on all States to respect their obligations in that regard with a view to guaranteeing human dignity everywhere and in all circumstances. Algeria is a founder of the HRC and welcomes its achievements since its establishment. At the same time, we believe that there is a need to continue reviewing and updating its mechanisms and working methods in order to maintain the ideals behind its creation, while respecting its mandate and the foundations and rules agreed by the Member States. We note the importance of consensus on human rights issues of common interest. Algeria also calls for rejecting the politicization of human rights issues and stresses that the principles of impartiality, independence, non-selectivity, objectivity and coordination with the countries concerned remain prerequisites to achieving the desired goals of specialized United Nations bodies. That would ensure professionalism in dealing with them. Algeria remains committed to upholding the Human Rights Council as a specialized body created by the international community to consider human rights situations in various States via a comprehensive and inclusive approach that would lead to building mutual trust. We emphasize the need to respect its competence and avoid double standards pertaining to human rights issues. Algeria also stresses that the Universal Periodic Review is the optimum mechanism for addressing human rights issues from a national standpoint, free of politicization. We consistently call for human rights issues to be addressed within the framework of dialogue and constructive international cooperation with a view to promoting and protecting all human rights equally, be they civil, political, economic, social or cultural, including the right of all States of the world to development without discrimination and pursuant to national priorities. Algeria underlines the importance of technical cooperation and of building the capacities of States in the area of human rights in accordance with their needs. We also stress the importance of coordination and the promotion of complementarity among various national, regional and international mechanisms to realize those rights globally and comprehensively. In conclusion, Algeria underscores that it is fully ready to undertake the tasks entrusted to it following its election earlier this month, by a high percentage of votes, as a member of the Security Council for the period 2023-2025. Algeria affirms its commitment to working with all stakeholders to realize all human rights. We will also use our expertise to promote the human rights agenda as one of the three pillars of the Charter of the United Nations.

We thank the President of the Human Rights Council, Mr. Federico Villegas, for the presentation of the Council’s report (A/77/53 and A/77/53/Add.1), and reiterate our appreciation for his leadership in leading the sessions of the Council throughout the past year, including three special sessions. Now more than ever, the work of the Human Rights Council is essential to overcoming crises and multidimensional emergencies arising from geopolitical tensions, the lasting effects of the pandemic and crises in the economic, social and climate spheres. The multiple crises that we face require a reaffirmation of the centrality of human rights in all responses. Mexico recognizes the Human Rights Council as the main body of the Organization for the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. The work of the Council is essential for the development of higher and more effective human rights standards so as to ensure a cross-cutting approach to human rights throughout the United Nations system and to promote open and constructive cooperation among member States. We are therefore concerned over the growing polarization of the work of that body, to the detriment of the progressive development of international human rights law and their full enjoyment in all parts of the world, without exception. As a current member of the Council and a candidate for the period 2025-2027, Mexico has been characterized as a promoter of international cooperation, under the principles of good faith and co-responsibility of States and of the Council itself to generate synergies that promote compliance with the norms of international law and the implementation of the best international practices in the field of human rights, with a gender and intersectionality perspective. It is essential that the Council continue to pay special attention to the promotion of the rights of all people in situations of vulnerability, such as minorities, girls, boys and adolescents, women, people with disabilities, LGBTIQ+ people, indigenous peoples, Afro-descendants, the older persons, refugees, internally displaced persons and migrants, among others. Similarly, it cannot be forgotten that human rights and the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development maintain a symbiotic relationship. Human rights are essential to sustainable development and the prosperity of our societies. The normative body of human rights represents one of the greatest contributions of multilateralism to international law. It is important to strengthen the effectiveness of the human rights treaty body system. In that regard, we welcome the measures agreed upon by the chairpersons of the bodies at their 34th meeting. We also highlight the work of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and welcome Mr. Volker Türk, with whom we will seek to maintain close collaboration. Mexico also recognizes the valuable work of the special procedures mandate-holders. It is important to ensure the best conditions so that experts can work independently. Finally, my country highlights the contributions of civil society organizations that enrich the work of the Human Rights Council with their knowledge and experience. I conclude by reaffirming Mexico’s commitment to the Human Rights Council. Mexico will continue to support its work in favour of strengthening the universal human rights system, in favour of higher human rights standards and in favour of more effective international cooperation.

At the outset, my delegation thanks the President of the Human Rights Council, Ambassador Federico Villegas, for his comprehensive presentation. Myanmar takes note of the Council’s report (A/77/53 and A/77/53/Add.1). Myanmar wishes to congratulate the new High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr. Volker Türk, on his appointment. The Human Rights Council report contains two resolutions related to Myanmar. Resolution 49/23, “Situation of human rights in Myanmar”, adopted on 1 April 2022, condemns in the strongest terms the military coup by the Myanmar military on 1 February 2021. Resolution 50/3, “Situation of human rights of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar”, strongly condemns the gross human right violations and abuses perpetrated by the security and armed forces of Myanmar against the Rohingya and other minorities. We wish that the draft resolution on Myanmar, to be submitted by some member States to the Third Committee, referred to the situation on the ground, especially the illegal military coup and subsequent heinous crimes committed by the military against the people of Myanmar. The military has violated all fundamental human rights. In addition, every day brings reports of serious violations of the rights to life, liberty and security of persons, the prohibition against torture, the right to a fair trial, and freedom of expression. Within 21 months of the illegal coup, the military has committed various kinds of atrocities against the people of Myanmar. For the first time in over three decades, it has executed political prisoners, arbitrarily arrested targeted individuals and abducted family members as hostages. The military’s offensives across the country are aimed not only at targeting its opponents but also at punishing any communities it deems to be supporting them. As we speak, over 2,400 people have been brutally killed and nearly 16,000 arbitrarily arrested by the military. More than 1.4 million people have been displaced across the country. Over 15.2 million people are in a situation of food insecurity. Yesterday, I informed this body of continued, systematic, widespread and serious violations of human rights, including massacres, air strikes on civilians and wholesale arson committed by the fascist military (see A/77/PV.22). Allow me to inform members again of recent inhumane air strikes by the military junta. In September, 13 people, including seven children, were killed by the Myanmar military’s air attacks on a school in Lat Yat Kone village, in Depayin township, Sagaing. Those children were as young as seven-years-old. Last week, the terrorist military’s fighter jets bombed and attacked civilians at a music concert held at A Nang Pa, in Phakhant, Kachin state, Myanmar, to celebrate the sixty-second anniversary of Kachin Independence Organization Day. Reportedly, it resulted in the deaths of around 100 people, including artists, women and children, and many injured. According to credible information, the military junta will continue to conduct such air strikes in Kachin state. Such attacks will definitely be indiscriminate and disproportionate. Many civilians will fall victim to those attacks. The fascist military has increasingly attacked our people using its air power, showing ruthless disregard for civilian lives. It is indisputable that those attacks are war crimes and crimes against humanity. The Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM) has stated that there is growing evidence of crimes against humanity and war crimes, including murder, torture, deportation and forcible transfer, persecution, imprisonment and the targeting of civilian populations. The evidence of such crimes against humanity and war crimes committed by the fascist military is overwhelming. The IIMM has received millions of facts regarding such crimes. It is high time to turn evidence into effective action. I appeal to the Security Council to use the admissible evidence of atrocity crimes being committed by the Myanmar military to refer the situation to the International Criminal Court. The international community has denounced the illegal coup and called upon the military to ensure the full protection of the human rights of all persons in Myanmar. Nevertheless, because of the Myanmar military’s indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks, the current situation in Myanmar continues to deteriorate, the most serious international crimes have intensified in Myanmar, and the people of Myanmar continue to suffer terribly. Despite international pressure and calls, the junta continues to enjoy impunity as if none of what the Human Rights Council has described to the international community through its resolutions had happened and as if none of those innocent lives mattered. Of course, the lives of those who have suffered and died under the military junta do matter. Therefore, I wish to urge the Human Rights Council to explore further possible ways, including the submission to the Security Council of evidence received by the IIMM of crimes against humanity and war crimes committed by the fascist military, to save the lives of the people of Myanmar from the inhumane military’s atrocities. Finally, I also wish to urge the Human Rights Council to listen attentively and seriously to the voices of the people of Myanmar and to allow the representatives of the people of Myanmar to participate in the meetings of the Human Rights Council.

I would like to begin by thanking His Excellency Mr. Federico Villegas, President of the Human Rights Council, for presenting the Council’s annual report (A/77/53 and A/77/53/ Add.1). I also join other speakers in congratulating Mr. Volker Türk on his appointment as the new United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and our congratulations also go to the newly elected members of the Human Rights Council. I also wish to take this opportunity to welcome the visit of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to Afghanistan in March 2022 and the first mission of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan in May, as well as his recent visit in October 2022, and the statements issued at the conclusion of those missions. In the face of the current social, political, economic and humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, the role of the Human Rights Council in promoting and protecting human rights and in addressing human rights violations, particularly in Afghanistan and other conflict-affected countries, is more crucial than ever. We applaud the efforts of the Council in discharging its mandate. In that regard, I would like to take this opportunity to express our deep appreciation for the convening of the thirty-first special session on the serious human rights concerns and situation in Afghanistan. I would also like to extend our gratitude to the Human Rights Council members for adopting resolution 50/14, on the situation of human rights of women and girls in Afghanistan, in addition to resolution S-31/1, adopted on 24 August 2021, and resolution 48/1, of 7 October 2021, wherein the Council appointed a special rapporteur to monitor the situation of human rights in Afghanistan. We would also like to welcome the extension of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur by the Council. Over the past two decades, despite all the challenges, Afghanistan made some progress in the promotion and protection of human rights and economic development. Some of those efforts included serving as a member of the Human Rights Council, for the first time, from 2018 to 2020, joining the most important human rights conventions, presenting its national reports, and adopting national laws and action plans. However, with the takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban by force on 15 August, all those achievements have been reversed. As reported by the Special Rapporteur, the human rights situation in Afghanistan is extremely concerning. That has been repeatedly reflected in the Secretary- General’s quarterly reports and the recent report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan. The issues include continued human rights violations, abuses and violations of international humanitarian law, including those involving summary or extrajudicial executions, arbitrary detentions, forced displacement, collective punishment, violence against peaceful protesters, journalists and former defence and security personnel, reprisals, raids on the offices of non-governmental organizations and civil society groups, and violations and abuses of the human rights of all women, children and members of ethnic and minority communities, committed by the Taliban. The situation of women and girls is highly concern­ ing. The systematic imposition of discriminatory poli­ cies by the Taliban to limit the fundamental rights and freedoms of women and girls, including the freedom of movement and the rights to education, work and public participation, are against the principles of inter­ national human rights treaties and conventions. The Taliban has been systemically implementing apartheid against women, denying their fundamental human rights. In addition, women’s vital contributions to soci­ ety have been diminished due to their lack of access to education, employment and leadership. Reversing the advances of the past two decades, the Taliban has made Afghanistan the worst country in the world for women. Years of internal conflict and natural disasters have put all Afghan lives in precarity, and women, girls and chil­ dren deeply feel the strain on their lives. To effectively address impunity and prevent widespread gross violations of human rights in Afghanistan, we need to further strengthen the mechanisms of monitoring and reporting, including through the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan. I thank UNAMA and the Special Rapporteur for their work in documenting human rights violations and abuses, and I call on the international community to maintain its support for their work. In conclusion, I would like to stress that, through accountability and actions, we can uphold human rights and fundamental freedoms around the world. To advance new paths for development, peace and security, all citizens of Afghanistan, including women, youth and minorities, must be fully incorporated into political, economic, and social life. To that end, I would like to reiterate that it is only through an inclusive and accountable Government based on the rule of law, justice and the will of the people, and with the full, equal and meaningful inclusion of women in all segments of Afghan society, that we can ensure justice, peace and security in Afghanistan.