Luanda - Angola's permanent representative to the United Nations (UN), Francisco José da Cruz has highlighted the role of the Human Rights Council in the face of the current increasingly challenging geopolitical context.
In the current context, there is a decline in respect for human rights and an increase in discrimination and inequality.
The diplomat made these statements at the 79th Session of the UN, which assessed the Report of the Human Rights Council, having stressed that the debate on human rights takes place at a time when civilians are being killed every day in conflicts around the world.
“International law, including international human rights law, is being used as a weapon to gain political advantage and not as a shield to protect those on the front line of crises,” he said.
In this context, the diplomat said, the role of the Human Rights Council in safeguarding and defending the rights and dignity of all members of the human family is fundamental.
According to Francisco José da Cruz, human rights are one of the three pillars of the United Nations and are essential to its global mission of guaranteeing a just, safe and equitable world.
“With the adoption of the Pact for the Future and its annexes, we reaffirm our commitment to defend human rights for everyone and everywhere,” he stressed.
The diplomat noted that the deterioration of human rights is most visible in the Middle East, where the scale of destruction has led to intolerable suffering in Gaza, a growing death toll in Lebanon and renewed risks of conflagration throughout the region.
José da Cruz stressed that, despite all these challenges, the Human Rights Council continues to address a number of recurring and emerging human rights issues, while responding to urgent situations.
“We must renew our commitment to upholding the timeless principles of the Declaration of Human Rights, just as we pledged to do last year when we celebrated the 75th anniversary since its adoption by the General Assembly,” the diplomat said.
At the end of his speech, on behalf of the President of the 79th Session of the General Assembly, the Angolan diplomat conveyed Philémon Yang's full commitment to supporting the efforts of the Human Rights Council.
Angola holds one of the vice presidencies of the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly. ART/TED/AMP
