The Tenth Jubilee Budapest Human Rights Forum
The Tenth Jubilee Budapest Human Rights Forum brought together national and international human rights experts, representatives of non-governmental and governmental organizations and the academia. It was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary on 28 and 29 November 2017, in Budapest.
This year there were four panel discussions on the security aspects of human rights in the context of sustainable peace, development, terrorism and violent extremism; protection of minorities and the convergences of human rights of indigenous peoples; protection of women’s rights and their implementation, hindering factors of the enforcement; and the Sustainable Development Goal 10 on the elimination of inequalities – with the key question whether the current international mechanisms are effective.
Hungary is honored that the keynote speech was delivered by H.E. Ambassador Mr. Shalva Tsiskarashvili, Permanent Representative of Georgia to the UN Office and Other International Organizations in Geneva, Vice-President of the UN Human Rights Council. Please find below.
„Ms. Chairperson,
Distinguished Minister of State for Security Policy and International Cooperation,
Distinguished Director of the UN Information Service in Vienna,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
I am honoured and privileged to address you on behalf of the President of the Human Rights Council, on the occasion of the 10th Budapest Human Rights Forum.
At the outset let me express my deep appreciation to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, H.E. Péter Szijjártó, for providing us with such a valuable platform for open discussions on some pressing issues and extend my congratulations for the accomplishments that have been made over the course of the previous Forums. I would like to use this opportunity and recognize Hungary’s commitment to the protection and promotion of human rights.
In this regard, I acknowledge with gratitude the activities and exemplary engagement of Hungary in the work of the Human Rights Council and in this context let me highlight the role of Ambassador Zsuzsanna Horváth and her dedicated team. I would also like to stress Hungary’s leadership on several important initiatives in the framework of the Council, including the one related to the reprisals. Indeed, it is the responsibility of the Council and Bureau to effectively address these cases and to ensure unhindered access to all who seek the cooperation with the UN.
In this context, the work of human rights defenders, that is to ensure that human rights are well shielded - is irreplaceable. Regrettably, in some circumstances, they are continuing to face serious restrictions and threats of violence. Therefore, all actors should do their utmost to ensure the provision of the best possible protection framework for HRDs.
Active participation of the civil society actors in the work of the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms is instrumental and in this regard let me underline the importance of safeguarding the space for civil society to ensure that their voices are heard.
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
The current situation around the world is deeply concerning, with violence, discrimination, inequality and grave violations of human rights affecting the lives of people in all corners of the globe. Finding solutions to these problems requires concerted efforts not only by individual States and regional bodies, but also by the international community as a whole.
The work of the Human Rights Council, as the UN’s premier forum on human rights is essential to the international community’s efforts to achieve human rights protection, development and peace and security. As the Secretary-General expressed last January, the interconnected nature of today’s crises requires the international community to connect global efforts for peace and security, sustainable development and human rights, not just in words, but also in practice. These interrelated principles must be a guiding code of conduct for the international community.
For decades, the UN has been instrumental in responding to the challenges originating from conflicts around the world. In the years to come, we need to do far more by strengthening the UN’s prevention potential. The HRC plays a critical role in this regard, by raising early warnings through its existing leverages and mechanisms, including but not limited to the work of Special Procedures, Commissions of Inquiries, Fact-Finding Missions and the UPR mechanism.
Having witnessed an increased number of complex crises, a renewed sense of urgency has been brought to United Nations’ efforts to build sustainable peace. This approach is based on the foundation that it will not be possible to achieve lasting peace in the long-term without sustainable development, equitable social and economic opportunity and human rights protections for all.
The topics of our discussions are interrelated with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its sustainable development goals. In fact, human rights concepts flow throughout the 2030 Agenda, and there is a strong link between international human rights obligations and the SDGs.
Since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda, the HRC has been highlighting the convergence of human rights and sustainable development and exploring ways to best support the fulfilment of the Agenda. For example, in March 2016 the Council’s annual high-level panel discussion on human rights mainstreaming focused exclusively on the 2030 Agenda and human rights, with an emphasis on the right to development. Since then, the HRC has adopted various resolutions and held further panel discussions that have demonstrated the interrelatedness of human rights and the SDGs. Of the 114 resolutions, decisions and President’s statements adopted by the Council over the course of 2017, 44 of them make reference to the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs. Panel discussions were held on the matter in relation to the rights of the child, women’s rights, and the integration of a gender perspective throughout the Council’s work.
There is indeed a strong integral relationship between the commitments made in the 2030 Agenda “to leave no one behind” and to “reach the furthest behind first”, and the human rights-based approach to addressing discrimination and inequalities, both within and among States.
As you will be discussing during this Forum, SDG 10 calls for reducing inequalities in income as well as those based on age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status within a country. Goal 10 also addresses inequalities among countries, including those related to representation, migration and development assistance. The important question that deserves our full attention, then, is how to maintain a holistic and integrated vision of human rights throughout our efforts to implement Goal 10, as well as all of the SDGs.
The Human Rights Council also continues to address the important topics of human rights and terrorism, and human rights and violent extremism. Terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations threaten to destroy the basis of human rights, fundamental freedoms and democracy and pose a direct threat to the enjoyment of the rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The mission of the Council is to address root causes, in all of our societies, and at the same time fighting against abuse, oppression and repression.
The Council regularly adopts relevant resolutions regarding terrorism and receives the reports of and engages in interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism.
Reaffirming that violent extremism constitutes a serious common concern for all States, the HRC has noted that while there could be no excuse or justification for violent extremism, abuses and violations of human rights may be among the elements that contribute to creating an environment in which people are more vulnerable to the kind of radicalization that leads to violent extremism and recruitment by violent extremists and terrorists.
Under international human rights law, it is the obligation of States to act in certain ways or to refrain from certain acts, in order to promote and protect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of individuals or groups. Acknowledging that preventing and countering violent extremism and the effective promotion and protection of human rights are mutually reinforcing, we should thus strive for a holistic and inclusive approach to preventing and countering violent extremism while promoting and protecting human rights.
In the course of today and tomorrow, you will also be focusing your attention on the protection of the human rights of minorities, indigenous peoples and women. These issues are regular items on the agenda of the HRC, with States supporting special procedures mandates, expert mechanisms, annual forums and resolutions on these thematic issues.
To address the significant challenges faced by indigenous people in all regions of the world, and in particular widespread discrimination, the HRC in 2007 established the Expert Mechanism, which provides the HRC with expertise and advice on the rights of indigenous peoples and assists Member States, upon request, in achieving the ends of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Despite some notable successes over the past ten years, frustrations have been expressed that the adoption of the Declaration has not been adequately followed up with concrete action at the national level. Thus, very recently the HRC and the Expert Mechanism had discussions on good practices and lessons learned regarding efforts to achieve the ends of the Declaration.
Turning to the promotion and protection of the human rights of women, The Council not only regularly adopts resolutions on different aspects related to this subject but also has established three specific Special Procedures mandate holders. The Council also holds annually a full-day discussion on the human rights of women. The full-day discussions that took place last year and this year have focused on women’s rights and the 2030 Agenda. The Council additionally held a panel discussion this September on the full enjoyment of human rights by all women and girls and the systematic mainstreaming of a gender perspective into the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
Despite some progress, women and girls continue to suffer discrimination and violence in today’s world. We all realize that gender equality is not only a part of fundamental human rights but also a necessary ground for a peaceful and sustainable world. In this context, we must strengthen and accelerate efforts to end all forms of discrimination and eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls everywhere, achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls, so as to deliver on the promise to leave no one behind. This will benefit society and the world at large.
On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Minorities, the Secretary-General has recently underlined the urgency of implementing its articles. A quarter of a century ago, the international community came together and unanimously endorsed the principles of the Declaration as a common framework for action, reflecting a shared vision grounded in respect for diversity. This approach is now being challenged in many places. Defending these principles is crucial not only to protect minorities, but also to safeguard both the diversity and the cohesion of our societies.
Within the framework of the HRC, the Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues regularly reports to and engages in interactive dialogues with the Council. Moreover, the Forum on Minority Issues meets annually and works to identify and analyse best practices, challenges, opportunities and initiatives for the further implementation of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons belonging to National or Ethnic, Religions and Linguistic Minorities. The Tenth Forum will be meeting soon in Geneva.
The promotion of tolerance and non-discrimination, the respect for diversity and the protection of the rights of minority groups and most vulnerable are essential components in view of creating an environment conducive to the full enjoyment of fundamental rights and freedoms.
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentleman,
We all agree here that these activities have to be conducted with the spirit of cooperation and inclusiveness. Clearly, human rights fail in the environment where confrontation predominates. What the international community has achieved was built on a commitment to dialogue and eagerness to comprehend. We must therefore continue to strengthen our genuine cooperation and constructive dialogue and work together to ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all.
Thank you very much for your attention. I wish you fruitful deliberations and successful Forum.”