Tuesday, June 14 2016 04:04

 In a wide-ranging opening speech to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, before the 32nd session of the Human Rights Council, at which all of the 193 Member States of the United Nations are represented,  UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad al Hussein shed a light on "preventable calamities" and worrying trends in human rights around the world, including detailed concerns about the situation in more than 50 countries

Among others, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein addressed the South Caucasus, saying, "The rights of people still suffering from the protracted conflicts in the South Caucasus have long been a concern of my Office. We have received allegations of violations of international law in the context of the upsurge in hostilities along the line of contact in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone, especially in April. Significant efforts are needed to address the situation of displaced people. My Office is ready to assist in the collection of objective information on human rights needs in the affected areas."

Higher Commissioner Zeid Ra'ad al Hussein addressed the recent releases of civil society actors and journalists in Azerbaijan.  "I invite the authorities to use this momentum to undertake meaningful steps towards widening space for civil society and safeguarding freedom of expression, including improving the justice system and the legal framework regulating NGO activities. My Office is ready to further advance a constructive dialogue with the Government with a view to addressing these issues," he said.

He expressed concern over the continuous hostilities in Ukraine and addressed the amendments to the Russian Federation's law on foreign agents come into force. "More than 90 NGOs are now listed as "foreign agents" a designation which implies that their activities are "political". I continue to urge the authorities to follow up on recommendations from UN human rights mechanisms and to amend this law in line with Russia's international human rights obligations," he said.

In his speech, the UN high ranking official condemned the cross violations of human rights in Syria, Iraq, Mali, Burundi, South Sudan, Eritrea, the occupied Palestinian territories Niger and many other countries and regions of Central Asia, south-eastern Europe, including Hungary, Poland and The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. "I am concerned by challenges to the independence of rule of law institutions which provide an important check to executive overreach. Human rights defenders and civil society activists are under increasing pressure, indicating an almost region-wide narrowing of the democratic space, and we have observed multiple cases of harassment or persecution of journalists. In Poland, the European Commission has issued an opinion that is highly relevant to the regrettable constitutional crisis in the country, and I encourage the Government to cooperate under the EU's Rule of law framework. I further encourage the authorities to benefit from the expertise of Poland's highly respected Ombudsman organisation," he said.

 Zeid Ra'ad al Hussein recalled that in the United States of America, although federal civil rights legislation has had undeniable positive impact, many African Americans in particular struggle to achieve their rights to full equality. "As the world learned very recently from Ebola, major health emergencies are also human rights crises," he said.
"I have listed many preventable calamities, which inflict unnecessary suffering on many people. I have also suggested many of the tools which can roll back those forces and revive the resilience and unity of societies around the world. Equality. Dignity. Participation. Respect. Conflict can be prevented, and peace, security and development can be strengthened or rebuilt, brick by brick. Respect for human rights offers States a path towards greater stability, not less. And assistance in establishing that path is what my Office, in all humility, offers. We shed light on protection gaps in order to help States repair them. I urge you to assist our work, and to avail yourselves of the help we offer. Despite the often terrible trends that I have outlined in this discussion, I firmly believe that it is not yet too late to act," the higher commissioner said for conclusion.