The Human Rights Council today continued its high-level segment, hearing from 16 dignitaries, who addressed a range of topics and subjects.
Speaking were Abdullatif bin Rashid Alzayani, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bahrain; Nikolay Milkov, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria; Jesus Crispin Remulla, Secretary of Justice of the Philippines; Péter Szijjártó, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary; Luca Beccari, Minister for Foreign Affairs of San Marino; Najla M. El Mangoush, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Libya; Mélanie Joly, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Canada; Yury Ambrazevich, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Belarus; Kornelios Korneliou, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Cyprus; Lolwah Rashid Al-Khater, Assistant Foreign Minister of Qatar; Tim Watts, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia; Fatmire Isaki, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia; Mantas Adomėnas, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Lithuania; Christopher Ballinas, Director-General for Human Rights at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico; Khaled EL Bakly, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs of Egypt;
and Hissein Brahim Taha, Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
Some speakers said that as the world turned a corner from the COVID-19 pandemic, several urgent and interlocking crises had become prominent threat-multipliers, including food insecurity, the energy crisis, extreme poverty, economic slowdown and inflation, as well as the climate crisis. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic had had a strong impact on the human rights of young people; there was a need to focus on youth to enable them to create the future they deserved. The work of the Council was crucial to helping countries live up to their human rights obligations. It was high time to move from words to action and continue with collective efforts in order to put an end to human rights violations and their disrespect. Current situations required joint and collaborative action between States in order to pinpoint means to tackle them, whilst considering the particular situations of women and girls, indigenous people, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer persons, and other minorities.
Many speakers condemned all violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law committed in the course of Russia's aggression against Ukraine. These violations required unanimous condemnation and full accountability of the perpetrators. Peace, security and safety were fundamental when speaking about human rights. It was pivotal that the Human Rights Council continued to address this topic, and several countries urged support of the resolution extending the mandate of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, to be presented during the session. The international community had a collective responsibility to fight impunity in order to stop the ongoing violations of international law and to prevent their occurrence in the future.
One speaker deplored that one group of countries was demonstrating fanaticism by enforcing their perspective on all others, firmly convinced that they were right, appropriating the right to be exclusive and to pass judgement, declaring others to be out of step and violators, whilst calling for their punishment within the Human Rights Council. This was unacceptable, the speaker said.
The webcast of the Human Rights Council meetings can be found here. All meeting summaries can be found here. Documents and reports related to the Human Rights Council's fifty-second regular session can be found here.
At 4 p.m., the Council will hold a high-level panel discussion on the Voluntary Funds for the Universal Periodic Review: achievements, good practices and lessons learned over the past 15 years and optimised support to States in the implementation of recommendations emanating from the fourth cycle.
High-level Segment
ABDULLATIF BIN RASHID ALZAYANI, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bahrain, said Bahrain was proud of its fruitful cooperation and close partnership with the United Nations and its specialised bodies, including the Human Rights Council and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The country was always keen to respect human rights, to uphold civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, and to preserve human dignity without discrimination on grounds of sex, origin, language, religion or belief. The Government had portrayed its commitment to its international human rights obligations by discussing transparently and effectively the fourth national report at the Universal Periodic Review mechanism last November, its combined periodic report before the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in the same month, its fourth report under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women on 14 February, as well as other reports.
In regards to democratic practice, Bahrain was working within the framework of cooperation between the legislative and executive authorities to implement the Government's programme "From Recovery to Sustainable Growth", placing at the top of its priorities the promotion of human rights in security, justice and sustainable development, through the development of legislation, mechanisms and legal services under the rule of law; raising the standard of living of citizens; supporting the advancement of women and empowering youth; promoting the rights of children, the family, the elderly and people with disabilities; protecting workers' rights; and combatting trafficking in persons. The programme also ensured the sustainability of the quality of health, education and housing services; digital transformation; the preservation of the environment and natural resources; confronting climate change; consolidating the values of citizenship, community and family cohesion; and adopting national strategies and plans, including the National Plan for Human Rights.
Bahrain was fully aware of the importance of solidarity and international partnership in achieving the noble goals of the United Nations by maintaining international peace and security, respecting human rights, supporting the Sustainable Development Goals, consolidating the values of tolerance, coexistence and dialogue among all religions, civilizations and cultures, and respecting religious freedoms based on the belief in human dignity inherent in all members of humanity, and their equal and inalienable rights, with the rejection of division and hatred.
NIKOLAY MILKOV, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria, stressed the importance of ensuring the independence, integrity and sustainability of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, as well as of the mechanisms of the Human Rights Council and the human rights treaty bodies. It was vital to support the mandate of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in mainstreaming human rights throughout the United Nations system. It had been a year since the Russian Federation launched its aggression against Ukraine, and Bulgaria condemned all violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law committed in the course of Russia's aggression against Ukraine. These violations required unanimous condemnation and full accountability of the perpetrators. Bulgaria reiterated its strong support for the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, within its internationally recognised borders, including its territorial waters, and welcomed the discussions on the human rights situation in Ukraine in the Council, which would continue during this session. Bulgaria would support the resolution extending the mandate of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry, which would be presented by Ukraine.
The promotion and protection of human rights remained a high priority of Bulgaria's foreign policy. Bulgaria was committed to preserve and strengthen multilateralism and international cooperation, including through the Secretary-General's Call for Action for Human Rights, and stood for resolute action by all United Nations Member States in favour of a strong multilateral human rights system, which promptly responded to human rights violations and abuses around the world. Bulgaria sought to advance the full realisation of all human rights, without any discrimination and without singling out any particular category of rights, and would support systematically the efforts to sustain and promote a culture of peace, tolerance, understanding and respect for diversity. Based on Bulgaria's long-standing traditions, it would contribute significantly to the efforts of the international community to achieve full equality between women and men, and the empowerment of women and girls, young people and children.
JESUS CRISPIN REMULLA, Secretary of Justice of the Philippines, reaffirmed the Philippines' solemn and continuing commitment to human rights for all. To achieve a comfortable and secure life for its people, the Philippines was pursuing a comprehensive reform agenda to ensure that the rule of law prevailed, and that every Filipino was afforded fair administration of justice. The case build-up rule had been drafted, which required a higher level of proof for preliminary investigations in criminal cases, and closer cooperation between prosecutors and law enforcement. To decongest penal institutions, the monthly releases of an average of 500 inmates had been orchestrated. New guidelines had been issued which significantly lowered the bail bond for indigents accused of crimes and for the dismissal of cases with no reasonable certainty of convictions pending before the courts.
Last month, upon the country's invitation, the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions and his team visited the Philippines to initiate an immediate programme for capacity building of doctors. Come July, after their training, this group would become mentors to cascade down their knowledge in order to have forensic experts in all regions of the country. Last year, the Philippines had held constructive dialogues with multiple human rights committees and participated in an enhanced interactive dialogue with the Council. The State had accepted 215 out of the 289 recommendations received at the Universal Periodic Review. Extrajudicial killings had never been, and would never be a State policy. The Government of the Philippines rejected the International Criminal Court's decision to resume investigations over alleged crimes committed during the anti-illegal drug campaign. It was time that those most responsible for causes of climate change fulfilled their obligations to afford the developing world the bounties of the right to development.
PÉTER SZIJJÁRTÓ, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, said Hungary was a direct neighbour of Ukraine, and was confronted with the tragic consequences therein on a daily basis. The impact of the war had been immediate and severe on Hungary, and as it saw the devastating situation on the other side of the border, it had been carrying out the largest humanitarian operation ever in its history, and would continue to do so as long as needed. Millions of families were suffering and thousands were dying. The number one duty of the international community in these times was to save the lives of the people. A sizeable Hungarian community lived in the Western part of Ukraine, where they were conscripted into the Ukrainian army, and many members of this Hungarian community had already died in the war.
The real and the most important question for Hungary was thus how to save lives, and the answer to this was not to deliver weapons, nor to deliver further sanctions, which were more harmful and painful for European economies than they were for Russia, but to make peace. Hungary called for an immediate ceasefire, and for peace talks to be launched. Maybe the most fundamental human right was to have a peaceful environment to live in. Peace, security and safety were fundamental when speaking about human rights. The more weapons that were delivered, the more the war rhetoric was upheld, the more people would die, as it brought a serious risk of prolongation and escalation of the war. Hungary therefore would not deliver weapons, or allow any to transit through the country.
Millions of Hungarians lived in the territories of neighbouring countries, and this was why one of the focal points of Hungarian foreign policy was to protect these Hungarian communities and ensure that their rights were respected. There was continued and systematic violation of their rights in Ukraine, where since 2014 their rights had been diminished, including the right to education, and this was unacceptable.
LUCA BECCARI, Minister for Foreign Affairs of San Marino, said San Marino was concerned about the armed conflict between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. San Marino condemned the Russian Federation's military invasion of Ukraine, and the involvement of Belarus, and joined the position of the international community in recognising how this act was a serious violation of international law and Ukraine's territorial integrity. It was pivotal that the Human Rights Council continued to address this topic. On behalf of San Marino, Mr. Beccari expressed strong sympathy for those affected by the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria. San Marino was also concerned about the continuous disregard of human rights in Iran and condemned arbitrary detentions, torture and summary executions, and the purge of independent voices. San Marino endorsed the abolition of the death penalty and had been one of the first countries in the world to abolish it.
The pandemic had had a strong impact on the human rights of young people; there was a need to focus on the youth, to enable them to create the future they deserved. The protection of the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities remained pivotal. In 2019, San Marino chose to ban discrimination based on sexual discrimination in the constitution, thus protecting and promoting the rights of lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgender and intersex persons. The multiple crises all over the world were endangering the fight against climate change and the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda. Every step needed to be taken to accelerate the process towards a more sustainable planet Earth. Last October, San Marino had hosted the eighty-third meeting of the Committee on Urban Development, Housing and Territorial Development, which resulted in the San Marino Declaration, a document enshrining valuable principles for a more sustainable urbanisation.
NAJLA M. EL MANGOUSH, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Libya, said this was a time when the international community and its institutions had been unable to put an end to the suffering of a group of people whose rights were being violated. People's rights to a dignified life were based on the collective commitment to the United Nations Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and various local agreements. The Council must remain faithful to these values and principles, away from politicisation and double standards. Libya was committed to human rights - this was a moral and ethical commitment. Libya had succeeded in ending years of war during which human rights were massively violated at the hands of State institutions. Resolving conflicts and building peace were processes accompanying democratisation, requiring more support, at any price.
Today there was an urgent need to harmonise the different rules of culture, tradition and processes in the different systems that governed human rights in countries that were undergoing democratic processes. Libyans were committed to reform and progress in human rights: the task was difficult, but not impossible, and the Government was committed to achieving the process and returning rights to all Libyans. A National Action Plan would be drawn up to implement the commitments made by Libya in the context of the Universal Periodic Review, as well as commitments linked to treaty bodies. The democratic transition faced challenges but the Government aimed to maintain stability and security and to continue to search out human rights violations and end impunity for their violation, in the context of respect for the rights of the victims. A Fact-Finding Mission to Libya had been sent to determine the extent of the violations, and the Government had built fruitful cooperation with the Mission, leading to helpful recommendations which would help to end impunity. Protecting freedoms and achieving principles of fairness were vital, and international support should be given to national institutions in this regard.
MÉLANIE JOLY, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Canada, said a year ago, the Council met just days after President Putin launched Russia's unjustifiable and illegal invasion of Ukraine. Today, Putin and his accomplices continued to launch missiles directly at civilian infrastructure, kidnap Ukrainian children, torture innocent people, and commit acts of sexual violence which constituted war crimes. Canada was concerned about Russia's gross and systematic human rights violations against its own citizens, including those protesting war and repression from the Putin regime. Canada had repeatedly expressed concern about the situation in Xinjiang, China, and urged China to fully implement the assessment's recommendations. In solidarity with the people of Iran, and for the victims of flight PS752, Canada would continue to respond to the Iranian regime's complete disregard of human life, rights and dignity.
Canada reaffirmed its commitment to the rights of all women and girls. Canada acknowledged its own shortcomings. For too long, Canada had denied the rights to First Nations, the Métis Nation and Inuit. The country was reckoning with that past and working to address long-standing inequalities, the legacy of colonialism, and systemic racism. The Human Rights Council would be strengthened by the enhanced participation of indigenous peoples. The work of the Council was crucial to helping countries live up to their human rights obligations. Holding accountable those who disregarded human rights would be at the core of Canada's work in the coming years.
YURY AMBRAZEVICH, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Belarus, said the Human Rights Council was established with the purpose of facilitating international cooperation in order to improve the practice of the application of human rights concepts in Member States. The Council could not violate the principles for the existence of the United Nations, the purposes of which were to build friendly relations between States, whilst respecting their sovereignty. The current discussions demonstrated a lack of cooperation but also antagonism on how to achieve the rights stipulated in the documents. There was no one correct opinion on these matters. The situation spoke volumes about the readiness of the self-declared victors to ignore the opinion of others and to ignore absolute truth, whilst representing their opinion as that of all, using their dominant position to do so. This was the situation in the Council today: one group of countries was demonstrating fanaticism, enforcing their perspective on all others, firmly convinced that they were right, appropriating the right to be exclusive, pass judgement, declaring others to be out of step and violators, and calling for their punishment within the Human Rights Council.
Imposing a so-called clear view of human rights by one group of countries on the whole of the international community was a cause of conflict; it did not serve cooperation, but was divisive. The Human Rights Council was no longer a place for agreement, but one for argument. Its decisions had become a pretext for economic restrictions on States. The situation of human rights in Belarus did not require the constant attention of the Council. No one was perfect, but objective criteria for such an act did not exist. The human rights topic could not remain on the international cooperation agenda and be part of the future international architecture in the context of global security if the position of the liberal democracies did not change, as their dominance in the world was seriously in question. The current crisis in international security had shaken formerly respected postulates. The position of the United States and its allies had shaken the human rights documents: human rights could not be achieved in a situation of acute external pressure.
KORNELIOS KORNELIOU, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Cyprus, said as the world turned a corner from the COVID-19 pandemic, several urgent and interlocking crises had become prominent threat-multipliers, including food insecurity, the energy crisis, extreme poverty, economic slowdown and inflation, as well as the climate crisis. Furthermore, natural disasters only added to the problems, as showcased by the recent devastating earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria. The Human Rights Council was the primary multilateral human rights body which could contribute to the universal effort regarding the protection and promotion of both human rights and the rule of law. Last Friday had marked a year since Russia commenced its illegal invasion of Ukraine. Cyprus condemned the invasion and offered full solidarity to the people and the Government of Ukraine. Cyprus itself was a victim of foreign aggression and occupation.
During the session, Cyprus would engage on numerous thematic and country-specific issues, including on Afghanistan, in relation to the deteriorating human rights situation of women and girls which needed to be condemned. Cyprus called for the immediate reopening of the Lachin Corridor and to refrain from undermining the functioning of transport, energy and communication connections in the area in the future. Mr. Korneliou reaffirmed Cyprus' commitment to the principles reflected in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action. Cyprus had recently established the crime of femicide as a separate, specific offence in the special law on preventing and combatting violence against women and domestic violence. Cyprus, as a member of the Asia Pacific Group, had presented for the first time its Human Rights Council candidacy for the 2025-2027 term.
LOLWAH RASHID AL-KHATER, Assistant Foreign Minister of Qatar, said Qatar had believed in the right to education since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. Qatar was at the forefront of States that provided international development assistance in the education sector in a number of countries, such as Afghanistan, including the provision of opportunities for both men and women. Qatar regretted that at this time when the world was facing enormous challenges that required solidarity, synergy and the promotion of harmony among cultures, civilizations and among followers of different religions, the Holy Qur'an was being burned in a disgusting fanatical act. Hate speech, which provoked the feelings of over two billion Muslims worldwide, could not and must not be allowed a place in today's world. All must stand firm against such destructive thoughts and practices that propagated intolerance and discrimination against Islam and Muslims and fuelled feelings of hostility and violence against them, thus threatening their full enjoyment of their fundamental rights and freedoms.
Qatar strongly condemned the persistent Israeli occupation's crimes and grave violations and aggression against the Palestinian people, including the killing of civilians and the deliberate targeting of vital civilian facilities. The international community must stand up against Israel's arrogance and its belief that it was above the law and that it would not be held accountable. For 12 years, the brotherly Syrian people had suffered serious crimes, violations and grave breaches of international human rights law, untold human suffering, massive destruction, displacement and serious health, economic and social crises. The recent earthquake had placed the international community face to face with its legal and moral responsibility. But it seemed that unfortunately, the concerned international organizations and the international community as a whole had once again failed the wounded Syrian people.
TIM WATTS, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia, said the Australian Government was committed to advancing human rights globally and at home. Australia's inaugural Ambassador for Human Rights had been appointed to elevate Australia's leadership on human rights globally. The Australian Government was determined to make progress on the national journey of reconciliation with indigenous Australians and was committed to implementing the Uluru Statement in full. The Government would deliver actions to close the gap and improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including through Australia's inaugural Ambassador for First Nations People. Australia was invested in advancing and protecting the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons and was proud to be hosting Sydney WorldPride taking place now.
Increased global ambition and urgent and impactful action on climate change was a priority for Australia and it had announced the bid to co-host COP31 in 2026 in partnership with the Pacific. Australia would continue strong leadership on the global abolition of the death penalty. The country was seeking a seat on the United Nations Security Council for 2029-2030, as well as Security Council reform and a greater representation for Asia, Africa and Latin America. Australia also continued to support the participation of small island developing States and least developed countries in United Nations forums. Australia strongly condemned the repression of protesters by Iranian authorities and supported the United Nations independent fact-finding mission to investigate human rights violations in Iran. Australia had a standing invitation for all United Nations Special Procedure mandate holders to visit Australia and encouraged all States to do likewise.
FATMIRE ISAKI, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia, said the call to respect fundamental human rights was a common duty and all shared the responsibility for every human right violation. Equality in exercising all human rights and freedoms was a fundamental principle that guaranteed the universal character of human rights and their respect. Today, the world was facing complex challenges to multilateralism. The Russian aggression against Ukraine had exposed the vulnerability of the collective security system but also left a serious impact on the human rights situation. The alarming fact that a large percentage of the global population still lived in stark poverty and hunger questioned the enjoyment of economic and social rights. Other complex issues deteriorated the overall conditions, such as limited space for activities of civil society, threatened independent and professional work of the media, and dangerous risks and the power of fake news. As a result, there was a significant increase of intolerance and discrimination, manifesting themselves through growing and ever more intensified violence against women and girls.
All of this now, more than ever, imposed the need for enhancing cooperation and jointly pursuing concerted actions with a view to protecting and respecting human rights, by demonstrating solidarity and standing united in defending their universality, indivisibility and equality. Regarding the human rights situation in North Macedonia, the Government had been pursuing all required reforms and activities in order to attain the highest standards in protecting, promoting and improving fundamental human rights and freedoms. The world stood in front of serious challenges. Multilateralism and the collective security system were being intensively tested, as shown by the civilian sufferings in Ukraine, as a direct result of the Russian aggression, but also in other countries such as Yemen, Iran, Belarus, "Burma", Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Syria, Georgia and Nicaragua, where human rights were neglected, abused or violated on a daily basis. In the face of this fact, it was high time to move from words to action and continue with collective efforts in order to put an end to human rights violations and their disrespect.
MANTAS ADOMĖNAS, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, said since becoming a member of the Human Rights Council last January, Lithuania had striven to ensure collective efforts were devoted towards the future where no one was left behind and no human right was ignored. On 24 February last year, Russia, aided by its accomplice Belarus, had started an unprovoked, unjustified, illegal, and brutal war of aggression against Ukraine, which set back by decades the implementation of the international community's commitments to protect and promote human rights and freedoms. The Russian invasion of Ukraine had caused a humanitarian catastrophe which had hindered global development and the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights in every region of the world, especially developing countries.
The international community had a collective responsibility to fight impunity, and to stop the ongoing violations of international law and prevent their occurrence in the future. Lithuania believed that a Special International Tribunal had to be established to complement the role of the International Criminal Court in adjudicating the crime of aggression. Lithuania would support the efforts of the Special Rapporteur to shed more light on human rights violations in Russia. Today, the international community faced profound challenges, but had also demonstrated solidarity, acting in response to multiple crises. It was the collective responsibility of the international community to restore the rules-based international order by recommitting to the United Nations Charter, human rights, democratic values, and the rule of law. Lithuania would use all opportunities to actively promote rules-based international order, multilateralism and accountability.
CHRISTOPHER BALLINAS, Director-General for Human Rights at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, said Mexico was convinced that the Council was the body par excellence to protect and promote the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms within the framework of constructive dialogue and cooperation. Currently, the world faced many challenges: global reality was marked by armed conflict, social change, climate change, food inequality, and inequalities within societies. Around 1.2 billion people lived in countries seriously exposed to simultaneous financial and food insecurity. In addition, the adverse effects of climate change affected a series of human rights, including the rights to food and housing. Current situations required joint and collaborative action between States in order to pinpoint means to tackle them, whilst considering the particular situations of women and girls, indigenous, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer persons, and other minorities. Fair and equal attention must be given to the over 30 armed and social conflicts in the world.
The human rights challenges in the world must be tackled through the highest standards, giving priority to dialogue and cooperation. Mexico honoured its tradition of mediation and peaceful negotiation, and had been recognised for these efforts by the Council. The best way of seeking solutions to joint problems was cooperation, and Mexico proposed joint work with the Special Procedures and mechanisms to overcome challenges. Through its policy of openness to international scrutiny, Mexico had held meetings with Special Procedure mandate holders on various topics that posed the greatest challenges, such as enforced disappearances and arbitrary detention. Mexico would continue to work for complementarity between the three United Nations pillars and to foster dialogue and cooperation with human rights mechanisms that were a major support to national policies.
KHALED EL BAKLY, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs of Egypt, said Egypt condemned the shameful actions of the extremists who burned a copy of the Holy Qur'an, calling on the Council to pay special attention to the growing phenomenon of Islamophobia and hostile movements against Islam and Muslims in the West. Egypt attached special importance to the role of the Council in promoting human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories and called for the adoption of consensual initiatives to alleviate the suffering of peoples in Syria, Libya and Yemen, and to address the violations against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. The State had taken many initiatives to promote economic and social rights, and provided the necessary social protection measures for the neediest and most affected groups through the economic reform programme.
The Egyptian State had also taken measures to promote and protect women's rights and combat all aspects of discrimination and violent crimes against them. Egypt had put these challenges in mind during its presidency of the twenty-seventh session of the Conference of the States Parties to the Convention on Climate Change, where it made its slogan "implementation", which was reflected in the adoption of the "Sharm El-Sheikh Plan" to implement climate pledges and the inclusion of the item addressing climate change losses and damage, which was a precedent. Within the framework of this comprehensive approach, Egypt was interested in including water at the heart of climate action for the first time within the framework of the Sharm El-Sheikh Climate Conference.
HISSEIN BRAHIM TAHA, Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, said this was a new opportunity for the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to reiterate its commitment to the protection and promotion of human rights and to the defence of human dignity. Discrimination and religion- and belief-based stereotypes, as well as the rise of violence and populism, were causes of concern to all. A few weeks ago, the world had witnessed acts contrary to those promulgated in the Council - the desecration of the Qur'an was a heinous act which all should condemn. There was a rise of Islamophobia, and States had a duty to fight these phenomena, promoting a culture of peace and tolerance. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation attached great importance to the family unit, which was crucial to individuals and to society, to help them stay balanced. The situation of the Palestinian people, under Israeli occupation, was of great concern as the Palestinian people had to deal with the systematic violation of their human rights. The international community was called on to take all necessary measures to protect the Palestinian people, put an end to the violations they experienced, and put an end to the Israeli campaign of arbitrary detentions, ensuring that they respected international humanitarian law.
Women and girls in Afghanistan should be given educational opportunities as well as employment, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation appealed to the Afghan authorities in this context. The relevant Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir should be followed. The situation of the Rohingyas in Myanmar was also of concern, and the international community should find a lasting solution to their plight, applying pressure on Myanmar to bring security to the situation of the Rohingyas, and bring about favourable conditions to their dignified, willing and lasting return. On Nagorno-Karabakh, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation deplored the loss of property and cultural and religious heritage in these areas perpetrated by Armenia, and called upon the international community to provide necessary assistance to Azerbaijan to bring about the dignified return of refugees.
