49th session of the Human Rights Council
Item 2: Annual Report and Oral Update by the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the activities of her Office and recent human rights developments
Statement by Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
7 March 2022
Distinguished President,
Excellencies,
Colleagues and friends,
The United Nations, and this Council, stand for the human rights of the world’s peoples: their rights to participate in decisions, to voice their views, and to live in dignity, free from fear and want.
We stand for peace and for the right to development: development that is sustainable, participative and inclusive, aimed at advancing the common good.
The conduct of warfare that targets civilians; violent or unconstitutional overthrow of Governments; autocratic rule; and governance and policing that oppress people’s rights negate this vision.
There is still time to turn back from the sharply escalating misery and fear that we see around us – and jointly work to create a more positive cycle of increasing solidarity and justice.
States have drafted and accepted legal obligations to uphold the rule of law and the integrity of their own institutions and those of other Member States; to ensure that governance and transitions are inclusive; to respect human rights in all contexts, including while countering terrorism; to prevent hate speech and support the broadest possible civic space; and to promote the rights to freedom of information, expression and peaceful assembly, including views that may be critical of the authorities.
My human rights update to the Council this morning includes a number of critical situations that call for urgent measures. As a general rule, this update does not include more detailed remarks on the following situations, which are the subject of separate discussions during this session: Afghanistan, Belarus, Central African Republic, Colombia, Cyprus, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Guatemala, Honduras, Myanmar, Nicaragua, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Ukraine and Venezuela.
(…)
I am concerned by the deteriorating situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including a dramatic rise in the number of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces – 320 in 2021, compared to 32 in 2020. Settler violence is increasing, not only in number of incidents but also in severity. The arrests of Palestinians almost doubled in 2021, with administrative detention – without charge or trial – up 30 percent. I am also deeply concerned by repressive measures taken by Israel against human rights defenders and civil society actors based on vague and unsubstantiated allegations, and with potentially far-reaching consequences for their activity. In my report I also refer to actions by the Palestinian Authority that curtailed civic space.
(…)
Excellencies,
This Council stands for preventing the human rights violations that create conflict and unbearable suffering. It stands for the principles that will carry forward a healthy, peaceful and sustainable future for our children – and their children, for generations to come. That path towards peace, security and sound and sustainable development begins by meaningfully including all members of society in representative and accountable decision-making, with a view to ensuring greater justice and fulfilling the human rights of all. Our work here is to advance all countries along that path.
Thank you Mr President.
Document Sources: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
Subject: Casualties, Human rights and international humanitarian law, Incidents, Violence
Publication Date: 07/03/2022
URL source: https://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/Pages/NewsDetail.aspx?NewsID=28225&LangID=E