On 22 March 2018 the Human Rights Council adopted resolution 37/15 on commemorating the centenary of Nelson Mandela. Hungary is proud to be part of the commemoration of Mandela’s centenary! Member States of the Human Rights Council, including Hungary, adopted the draft without a vote amid the applause of all Observer States and other stakeholders present. As the preamble remarks, Mandela struggled for freedom, human rights and human dignity, equality and justice throughout his life. When he was released from prison, after serving 27 years, he contributed significantly to the transition of South Africa to democracy.
Nelson Mandela became viewed worldwide as the embodiment of human rights and a champion of the global poor and their dignity. His political and human rights legacy is universal: protection and promotion of human rights through social justice, reconciliation and democratic ideals are the preconditions for peaceful relations in and between States. We commemorate Mandela and his legacy on 27 April, because on that day in 1994, Mandela and millions of South Africans cast their votes for the first time in a fully representative democratic election.
The celebration of Mandela’s centenary provides us an opportunity to reaffirm Hungary’s commitments to human rights. Hungary is a State Party to almost all universal human rights treaties, and takes all its obligations stemming from them seriously. We have a standing invitation to all special procedures, and take part in all review processes. Just a month ago, in March 2018, we went through the review of the Human Rights Committee, which is the body assessing the implementation of the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Hungary was elected, for the second time, a member of the Human Rights Council for the term of 2017-2019. In the course of the ongoing review of the HRC, we support proposals that make the Council more efficient and effective.
Protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms is our key commitment in other international fora as well. Being a Member State of the Council of Europe, Hungary is an active member of the largest regional human rights system. As a Member State of the European Union, Hungary takes part in adopting legislation in areas of shared competences and coordinates its position with other EU Member States and Institutions concerning the implementation of effort to advance human rights. Finally, Hungary in its national capacity, in accordance with its Fundamental Law, adopts laws and regulations for the protection and promotion of human rights, as well as pays special attention to conclude bilateral treaties that effects positively human rights.