PRESS BRIEFING BY REEM ABAZA, SPOKESPERSON FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT TIJJANI MUHAMMAD-BANDE
Human rights council report
Today, The General Assembly held a plenary meeting for the presentation of the Human Rights Council Report.
In his remarks the President of the 74th Session of the General Assembly Tijjani Muhammad-Bande said that
“Seven decades ago Member States agreed to a set of inalienable rights which ensure the dignity of everyone,
everywhere.” He added that “The Human Rights Council works to actualise this shared vision for a better world, as a fundamental element of the human rights system.”
He encouraged everyone to view the Sustainable Development Goals through a human rights lens. “We can only ensure peace and development if human rights are upheld,” he said.
In order to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, the President of the General Assembly said we must ensure that all stakeholders are included, so that we leave no one behind. He emphasized that women must take their rightful place at the centre of all our work.
You can find the full remarks on the PGA’s website: un.org/pga/74.
Key Reports
This week the General Assembly heard presentations on reports by key institutions: the International Court of Justice, the Economic and Social Council and of course today the Human Rights Council.
Among his meetings this week, the President of the General Assembly met with the President of the International Court of Justice which is an institution that continues to demonstrate the strength of the international rules-based order. They discussed the impressive active docket of the Court, the budget of the institution and ways to strengthen the fellowship program of the Court.
Peacebuilding Architecture
Arrangements for the 2020 review of the UN peacebuilding architecture are on course. The President of the General Assembly and the President of the Security Council for the month of October met with chairs of regional groups and attained consensus regarding the scope, terms of reference and modalities for the review. Their joint letter launching commencement of the informal part of the review has also been circulated to Member States.
Security Council President
Mr. Muhammad-Bande met with Ambassador Karen Pierce the Permanent representative of the United Kingdom and President of the Security Council for the month of November.Ambassador Pierce briefed the PGA on the main activities to be undertaken during her presidency, focusing on peace building and sustaining peace especially encouraging reconciliation. A letter will be circulated on this later today.
International Days
Tomorrow is the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists. In his message the President of the General Assembly pointed out that according to UNESCO, more than 1,000 journalists have been killed for doing their work in the past 12 years. In 90% of the cases, the perpetrators go unpunished.
Attacks against women journalists are on the rise. Women journalists are also affected by gender specific threats such as sexual harassment and violence. He expressed grave concern about these attacks on freedom of speech and democracy and expressed deep empathy with the victims and their families.
Mr. Mohammed-Bande called on all Member States to promote a safe and conducive environment in which journalists can carry out their work without interference.
