UN Chief Addresses Opening of the 55th Human Rights Council | United Nations

Mr. António Guterres, UN Secretary-General, at the Opening and High-Level Segment of the 55th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council (26 February – 05 April 2024).

In conflicts across the world, nations and their governments are ignoring “the rule of law and the rules of war” enshrined in the Geneva Conventions and the UN Charter, an alarming development highlighted by United Nations chief António Guterres at the opening of the Human Rights Council in Geneva today (26 Feb).

Rules of war and human rights must be upheld, the Secretary-General said, as global divisions and disinformation threaten the UN’s founding principles

“From Ukraine to Sudan to Myanmar, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Gaza, parties to conflict are turning a blind eye to international law, the Geneva Conventions and even the United Nations Charter. The Security Council is often deadlocked and able to act on the most significant peace and security issues of all time,” he said.

Guterres added that “the Council's lack of unity on Russia's invasion of Ukraine and on Israel's military operations in Gaza following the horrific terror attacks by Hamas on 7 October has severely - but perhaps fatally -undermined its authority. The Council needs serious reform to its composition and working methods.”

In addressing these urgent crises and advocating for other significant human rights challenges globally, Guterres underscored the upcoming Summit of the Future, convening at UN Headquarters in September, as an occasion for Member States to reaffirm their dedication to fostering peace and security grounded in human rights.

Guterres also announced a new framework for integrating human rights in all aspects of the UN’s work, called the UN Agenda for Protection. “To support states in meeting their obligations” he said, “I am launching a system-wide United Nations Agenda for Protection, together with High Commissioner for Human Rights. Under this Agenda, the United Nations, across the full spectrum of our work, will act as one to prevent human rights violations, and to identify and respond to them when they take place. That is the Protection Pledge of all United Nations bodies to do their utmost to protect people.”

Echoing warnings that international humanitarian law and even the UN Charter were coming under increasing threat around the world, the President of the UN General Assembly, Dennis Francis, told the Human Rights Council that it was time for all global citizens to “do our part”.

“Across the globe, the inhuman brutality and suffering must stop. We must not simply stand-by as callous observers, less we be seen as complicit in the expanding web of dehumanization. No! We must do our part. The decisive role of this august Council is crucial in our collective efforts.”

Referring to the war in Gaza where “the suffering of innocent civilians has reached an unbearable tipping point – with over 90 per cent of the population displaced, teetering on the brink of starvation”, Mr. Francis insisted on the need for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. “In the name of humanity, we the United Nations, must vehemently use our commanding platforms to speak up and to speak out louder in demand for an immediate humanitarian cease fire in the Gaza Strip and for the opening of corridors to render urgently needed assistance and care to the 1.5 million displaced and unhoused Palestinians.”

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk issued a stark warning about “attempts to undermine the legitimacy and work of the United Nations and other institutions. They include disinformation that targets UN humanitarian organizations, UN peacekeepers and my Office.” Türk added that “the UN has become a lightning rod for manipulative propaganda and a scapegoat for policy failures. This is profoundly destructive of the common good, and it callously betrays the many people whose lives rely on it.”

In an effort to transform societies and the global community, the UN Rights Chief also announced the launch of "Human Rights: A Path for Solutions", a vision statement which sets out eight key messages to guide renewed action for peace; economies that work for people and planet; effective governance; and guardrails for digital and scientific progress.

[tka-tpa-prapatankalisari]

👩🏼‍🎓🇺🇳
"Why must we be slaughtering one another when we could sit down and sort out our problems peacefully?"
~Nelson Mandela
during the final sitting of the first democratically elected Parliament, Cape Town, South Africa, 26 March 1999

[Symmetry]

Here comes the most useless spokesperson in the world.... mr Guterres

[MilenaBlazanovic-oqiy]

Extraordinary extensions of human rights of legislations that were signed behind our back by our law makers in the last 20 years got us where we are now.
Among new human rights legislation is also that "every person have the right to live in a country they chose"

No, immigration is not the right, it's a privilege. We should choose who we allow to enter to our country. It is our home.

[MilenaBlazanovic-oqiy]

Gutters means Hamas rights not human rights

[tka-tpa-prapatankalisari]

👩🏼‍🎓🇺🇳
"We do not pursue any goals which would result in some emerging as winners & others as losers. We are striving to proceed in a manner & towards a result, which will ensure that all our people, both black & white, emerge as victors"
~Nelson Mandela, in an address to the European Parliament, Strasbourg, France, 13 June 1990

[ShahrezadNorMohammadiy]

We as leaders need to be collectively RESPONSIBLE; we need to stand up and take collective RESPONSIBILITY—for our current failings, but also for the actions…✊🏻

[scbosefoundation]

Heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Joya and United National Channel for their excellent analysis on human rights

[elizabethp.kanizin]

There are many levels of human rights violations taking place in Gaza. To the extend that genocide is taking place, as we speak. To address the matter & deliberate on it.

[ShahrezadNorMohammadiy]

We have a RESPONSIBILITY to join together on behalf of the world that we seek
-- a world where extremists no longer threaten our people.

When long as we are denied our security by criminals, who prey on our communities, and who do violence against our women and children.

[NonaManis]

Maybe yes🤔 👏🏻😊

Sometimes you have to get knocked down lower than you have ever been to stand up taller than you ever were before. Sometimes your eyes need to be washed by your tears so you can see the possibilities in front of you with a clearer vision again. Don’t settle 👏🏻😊

😊👏😊👏😊

[manuelgoncalves]

UN - UNITED NATIONS . BOAS TARDES ! BOAS NOITES DE PORTUGAL ! ...
A SUA EX.CIA O SENHOR SECRETÁRIO - GERAL DAS NAÇÕES UNIDAS, QUE OS VOSSOS VALORES POSSIBILITEM A ESPERANÇA E O SONHO PARA A HUMANIDADE .
As Vossas Palavras (...) Nos qualifica para Servir os Outros .
BEM - HAJAM ! TANTA FOME, TANTA SEDE DE VOSSAS PALAVRAS E ELEVADAS PARA O MUNDO ! ... Obrigado !...

[NonaManis]

*_Why should we never fear the challenges we face in life_*_ ??_ 🤔

We all face many different obstacles, even in our everyday life. As we overcome many of them unknowingly, we don't see them as a challenge.

When we face a challenging situation, the ease with which we overcome it decides how we feel about it. When the situation is difficult, requires patience and perseverance, and brings us to the verge of giving up, it might seem like the toughest life situation, but once we get through it, it doesn't feel the same.

Don't fear the challenges in life. Find ways to overcome them, ask for support and never lose self-trust. Once you overcome them, the same challenge will make you feel like a champion 👏🏻😊

😊👏😊👏😊

[ShahrezadNorMohammadiy]

🇺🇳
Just as the world came together to—support the end of subjugation on the basis of race in this great country. We need today to birth a new movement that calls—for true equality everywhere!

[NonaManis]

Love you UN 🇺🇳 ! 😊

"Too many women in public & political life face vicious attacks to subordinate & silence them. These are abhorrent acts, fed by pervasive discrimination & harmful gender norms. To end gender inequality, we need systemic change, starting with zero tolerance for gender-based violence."
—VolkerTürk 👏🏻😊

😊👏😊👏😊

[NonaManis]

*_How can we adapt to change_*_ ??_ 🤔

Change is frightening for most of us because it brings us out of our comfort zone into a zone of uncertainty. Once we embrace and stop resisting the change, the transformation process can happen without much unease.

Sometimes we go through a significant change in our lives. Whether it is the beginning or an end of a new relationship, career, work or place, moving away from what we are used to always seems challenging until we find how beneficial change is for us.

Do not fear change; try to adapt to whatever situation life brings you. When we go through change, we explore our capabilities, meet new people and be in a place that sometimes can be life-changing 👏🏻😊

😊👏😊👏😊

[ShahrezadNorMohammadiy]

"How do you heal the past?

By who you choose to be in this present moment."

"Always remember my dear,
that the words you most wish to hear from others
are the ones you are most in need of telling yourself.

[tka-tpa-prapatankalisari]

Oh yeah haaaa…😀🤭
I have a new content [LIVE—for you! And yes for yourself👏🏼

Thank you, YouTube😊

[baumstamp]

it is sad that politics are often decided with the "sword" (to put it euphemistically... real war methods are way more cruel than swords...) and not with the pen & diplomacy.
this shows how important the work of the UN is. and at the same time how easily blood-thirsty warfaring nations can just ignore (at least to some extent) what the UN is proposing and asking of them.
it's like a teacher trying to help a struggling student-bully just to see that the bully is laughing at the teacher's efforts and in some years will be surprised why nobody wants to have to do anything with you anymore...

[BZSiddiqui]

United Nations need to change the Vote System. One country they can't VTO that bull crops. UN can't Make a decision.

[book]

Guterres- your credibility is in the sewer after your recent behavior.