UN Chief Warns of Global Human Rights Crisis in Address to Human Rights Council

AFP | Geneva

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United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres delivered a stark warning on the state of global human rights during his address to the Human Rights Council, highlighting ongoing conflicts, rising authoritarianism, and the devastating impacts of climate change and technological advancements.

Marking the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Guterres condemned the violation of the UN Charter and underscored the war’s toll: over 12,600 civilian deaths, widespread destruction of infrastructure, and a severe humanitarian crisis. He called for intensified efforts to secure a just and lasting peace in alignment with international law.

“Without respect for human rights—civil, cultural, economic, political, and social—sustainable peace is a pipedream,” Guterres stated, urging nations to uphold the fundamental principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the rule of law.

Escalating Humanitarian Crises Across the Globe

The Secretary-General pointed to multiple crises unfolding worldwide. In the Occupied Palestinian Territory, human rights violations have surged since the October 7 Hamas attacks, exacerbated by relentless violence in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. Guterres reiterated the urgent need for a permanent ceasefire, the release of all remaining hostages, and progress toward a two-state solution.

Similarly, Sudan faces mass displacement and famine due to ongoing conflict, while in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, escalating violence, particularly linked to the M23 offensive and Rwandan Defense Forces, threatens regional stability. He also raised concerns over Myanmar’s deteriorating human rights situation since the military coup, and the escalating gang violence in Haiti that has left over a million displaced.

The Global Assault on Human Rights

Guterres warned that human rights worldwide are being “suffocated” by various forces, including autocratic regimes suppressing opposition, gender discrimination restricting women’s rights, and conflicts depriving people of basic needs. He also criticized the exploitation of emerging technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, which he argued could erode human rights at an unprecedented scale.

Highlighting the climate crisis, he stressed that environmental destruction directly impacts fundamental rights, from access to clean water to food security. “Our war on nature is also a war on human rights,” he asserted, calling for urgent climate action and stronger international commitments to limit global temperature rises.

A Call for Renewed Commitment

Reaffirming the UN’s dedication to human rights, Guterres called for the full implementation of the newly adopted Pact for the Future, which lays out strategies to reinforce human rights protections, uphold the rule of law, and enhance global governance of technology.

“We can help end the suffocation of human rights by breathing life into the Pact for the Future and the work of this Council,” he urged, emphasizing the need for collective action. “We don’t have a moment to lose.”

The Secretary-General’s remarks serve as a critical reminder of the pressing challenges facing the global human rights landscape and the urgent need for international cooperation to address these issues.