At the opening of the latest session of the U.N. Human Rights Council, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivered a stark message, urging for greater respect for human rights and lamenting the deteriorating situation in conflict zones around the world.
Guterres highlighted the “unprecedented suffering” caused by multiplying conflicts and emphasized the enduring importance of human rights principles. He called for a renewed commitment to upholding these principles in the face of a world “changing at warp speed.”
The U.N. chief reiterated his calls for debt relief for developing countries, increased efforts to combat climate change, and continued support for the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). He defended UNRWA as crucial to humanitarian efforts in Gaza, particularly in light of recent calls for its dismantling by Israeli authorities.
Echoing Guterres’ concerns, U.N. human rights chief Volker Turk condemned attempts to undermine the legitimacy and work of the U.N. and its affiliated organizations. He decried the use of the U.N. as a “scapegoat for policy failures” and emphasized the vital role the organization plays in the lives of countless individuals worldwide.
The Human Rights Council session commenced amidst numerous ongoing human rights crises, including the recent death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny while imprisoned.
Navalny’s case is expected to be a key focus during the council’s six-week session.
